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General health

Does this sound like flu?

21 replies

ScarlettDarling · 21/12/2019 20:51

On Tuesday and Wednesday I felt a bit ropey with a banging head and sore throat. On Thursday morning though I woke up feeling like I'd been run over by a truck.
Everything aches, especially my back and legs. I've got a high temp (around 38.5) and I'm really shivery. I've got a cough and I'm bringing up yellow/green phlegm. I'm absolutely exhausted.
I'm not totally debilitated though. I'm still able to potter round a little bit and wrapped some presents today. I keep reading that flu absolutely zaps you to the point that you can't get out of bed, and apart from Thursday afternoon I've been able to get up.
I'm feeling so sorry for myself! Does this sound like flu and how long does it bloody well last?!

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mummaof2nearly3 · 21/12/2019 21:06

You'll know if it's flu.
What you've got sounds horrible and I hope you get better soon but no that doesn't sound severe enough for flu.

MyGirlDaisy · 21/12/2019 21:41

I had this a couple of weeks ago and I described it as like flu but not flu, very similar symptoms. I could get up and do things but then had to sit down for a while, dealing with a load of washing was exhausting but then later I could make dinner, when I had flu I was in bed for 4 days crawled to the bathroom for the loo then just went straight back to bed. I think this virus is doing the rounds just about everywhere at the moment, so it’s a case of fluids, painkillers and rest when you can, sorry to say it lasted a good ten days for me so hope you feel better soon.

GreenGrove · 21/12/2019 21:44

Doesn't sound like flu to me. When I had flu I couldn't walk. I had to drag myself across the floor to get to the toilet. Hope you feel better soon OP

MyGirlDaisy · 21/12/2019 21:44

Actually just read you bringing up coloured phlegm- you may have developed a chest infection with it so if that and the temperature doesn’t subside I would get yourself checked out!

ScarlettDarling · 22/12/2019 08:03

I actually don't remember feeling as poorly as this as an adult. Temperature is up to 39.8 and everything hurts. I'm so miserable!!

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girlofthenorth · 22/12/2019 09:23

I would get checked out by the doctor Scarlettdarling with your phlegm and temperature.
Mines going now but still can't function properly and loads to bloody do !
Keep drinking fluids and get someone make some chicken soup if you're a meat eater .

Have you got someone at home with you ?

ScarlettDarling · 22/12/2019 11:23

Thanks girlofthenorth Yes I've got dh and my two dc with me. How long have you been unwell for? What were your symptoms? I had a terrible night last night and if tonight is the same I might ring 111 tomorrow.

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TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 22/12/2019 11:27

Possibly raging tonsillitis ?
Get yourself to bed and stay there.

Dontdisturbmenow · 22/12/2019 12:06

This is the virus that is doing the rounds. OH had it, I am now at the end of it, and so has my DS. 38.5 is not a high temperature. It's a nasty virus though, but not the flu. I hard the flu twice in my life and indeed, it was a case of feeling like I was dying in bed. If someone had dropped a £50 note on the floor, I wouldn't have bothered to get up to pick it up

eurochick · 22/12/2019 12:46

Slow onset plus phlegm doesn't sound like flu. But whatever it is sounds nasty.

girlofthenorth · 22/12/2019 16:09

@ScarlettDarling blimey I was so unwell , still feel ropey and it's 2 and a half weeks in ! But much much better than I was. Started off as chest infection and also I think I had a flu like virus on top of that, or maybe the chest infection, I don't really know . Felt like I was going to die whenever my temp went up . Had three lots of antibiotics and steroids which helped my breathing ( am asthmatic) . My peak flows were fine but just felt breathless.
Weird thing was I didn't really have a cough till the second week , even though the GP could hear crackles. At tail end now , but half my friends and family have had similar in varying degrees ....
Probably best to get your chest listened to. Keep drinking loads of fluid and rest up as much as possible

FromEden · 22/12/2019 16:53

The fact that it came on gradually suggests that it isnt the flu. That hits you from nowhere with no warning of a sore throat first. I have the same thing at the moment, its shitty but I know it's just a bad cold or some other type of virus hope you feel better soon.

georgialondon · 22/12/2019 17:04

If you're not sure then it's not flu.

HerkyBaby · 22/12/2019 17:05

Flu is when you are so ill that if you saw a £50 note on the floor you wouldn’t be able to pick it up.

AtrociousCircumstance · 22/12/2019 17:06

Not flu.

But sounds horrible nonetheless. Get well soon

DeathMetalMum · 22/12/2019 17:12

Could be. Influenza is a virus and it can have varying symptoms. Its doesn't always leave you bed bound for a few days.

Usually it comes on very quickly though. There are loads of bad cold/flu viruses around at the moment though. I work in a pharmacy and we have had so many people coming in asking for advice, and some members of staff have been ill also.

ScarlettDarling · 22/12/2019 18:43

Think I'm going to ring the gp tomorrow, I'm starting to think it might be a chest infection. Temp is 40 and still coughing up phlegm, some of which has had a few specks of blood. I feel gruesome! Seem to be getting worse every day. I'm so stressed about all the stuff I need to do ( trying to arrange a funeral for mil as well as Christmas, I'm absolutely no support to dh and feel so guilty.)

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Ilikewinter · 22/12/2019 18:51

Sounds like youve got the current virus thats going round, i had same symptoms as you and it lasted nearly 2 weeks, ive now got a cough and phlegm which seems to take much delight in being really bad at night.

Dont be surprised if the GP refuses to see you, i work in a pharmacy and we are getting a lot of GP and 111 referrals, advice is to take frequent doses of paracetamol and/or ibuprofen, lots of fluids and rest...cough medicine and throat spray or lozenges if required....and stay away from people, its spreading like wild fire.

Neolara · 22/12/2019 23:14

40 is a really high temperature. I think calling your GP is a good idea. Sorry you're feeling so terrible.

kinsss · 23/12/2019 14:22

DH had it last week. Sudden onset, roasting but shivering. Terrible cough that hurt his ribs and pains all over, no appetite.

He didn't have the Flu Flu if you get me but near enough I suppose. He was able to move and do a few things, but was knackered.

I kept well away and have never washed my hands so much, + hand gel. Slept in guest room til the worst was over. Then I got something. But it was just a general feeling of weakness and lethargy with a cough. Didn't have energy to do anything, that was Friday, rested over the weekend and was able to go to shops and do whatever was needed this morning.

Still feel a bit meh, but will take to my bed with a hot whisky later and a lemsip. I know I know, but I don't care.

ScarlettDarling · 23/12/2019 14:31

Thanks everyone for your messages. I went to the gp this morning who confirmed that it's a chest infection and has given me antibiotics. The blood streaked phlegm and breathlessness were what really got me worried and to be honest I'm relieved to have been told it's a chest infection as I kept thinking that surely a virus shouldn't be getting worse every day at this stage!

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