anyone had flu in pregnancy?

[sheeplikessleep]

I've been in bed since Monday. Hacking cough that is making me wretch on occasion, aching limbs and shivering, temperature of 38, completely exhausted and flaked out and coughing up phlegm now.

i saw Dr last Wednesday who checked me over and said it isn't a chest infection and just to keep up with paracetemol and steam inhalation.

i thought i would be on the mend by now, but i still feel so rough.

can this really just be flu? I've never felt so wretched ever.

i just wondered if anyone had experienced anything similar?

im 25 weeks pregnant and worried about bump, although my temp hasn't gone above 38, i also feel out of breath so quickly.

can flu really make you feel so rough?

thanks

[drcharliegirl]

Flu definitely can. You should have been offered a flu vaccine as you are pregnant... bit late now though...

There's nothing much to be done except look after yourself (get your other half or someone to look after you too) and ensure you're drinking plenty and resting. Temperatures of >39 can be bad for baby, so take paracetamol if this happens.

I had something similar around 13-14 weeks and it wiped me out much more than it would do usually because your immunity in pregnancy is much less effective...

Feel better soon

[sheeplikessleep]

Thanks drcharliegirl. Tbh everyone has been rallying around this week, i don't know how i would have managed without dh, my mum and some friends. My poor boys think their mum has neglected them im sure!

i just cant believe how much of an effect it has. I'm having to take a couple of doses of paracetemol a day just to cope with it.

how long until you started to feel better? We are supposed to be going on holiday on Friday, now im stressing about the possible scenario i might not be well enough.

thanks for posting

[sheeplikessleep]

I'm drinking litres and litres of water, but my appetite is zero. I've just eaten a quarter of a chicken sandwich, that took me half an hour
. Hope lack of calories doesn't affect bump

[alienbanana]

Yes, and I've never been so ill. Its awful and I was totally drained of energy, couldnt eat much and felt just terrible.

If you still have the hacking cough in a few days go back to the GP and get them to check again for a chest infection. I developed one a week after getting flu and antibiotics sorted me out.


Rest, rest and rest


Its not 'just' flu btw.. flu isn't just a bad cold, its totally draining and can wipe you out for a good couple of weeks.

Do try and eat when you feel that you can,it will help a bit

[sheeplikessleep]

Thanks alienbanana. I am going to try to go back to go on Monday, as my chest is "purring" now, and i am coughing up greeny/yellowy phlegm.

im on day 6 now and really hoping one of these days i will wake up feeling more me again.

[drcharliegirl]

Don't want to put you off, but it took a full 2 weeks for me to be back to normal.
That said, I didn't have the option of taking time off work (NHS being what it is!) so didn't take my own advice and slow down.

A holiday sounds like what you need!

And flu is definitely more than a cold, agreed... Good advice too about eating small amounts when you can. If you're coughing up green/yellow phlegm still by monday, go back and see the GP. Often you start with flu but it turns into a chest infection and may respond to antibiotics (I ended up with a course when the same happened to me).

Best of luck.

[alienbanana]

Yes, I know what you mean about purring (though sounded more like rattling here)

I actually started to feel better, but as the cough was so bad and was coughing up green chunks of revoltingness, I went back, and so glad I did.


I found out afterwards that bacteria love iron - so if you're taking an extra iron supplement, maybe stop until you're better (not medical, so no idea how accurate that is, maybe google?)

[sheeplikessleep]

I hope it doesn't take two weeks, we spent £1k on our week away, i am desperate to be well for Friday. I've definitely stopped and rested, spent pretty much my last six days in bed or flat out on settee.

I've just had some chicken soup, which went down ok. Dh hurrying around clearing up our pigsty of a house. I guess it becomes obvious how much i do when i stop doing it!

Thanks for posting.

[alienbanana]

Sorry to say, but mine took 10 days to get over the flu, and then another week on top of that to get rid of the chest infection.

Rest as much as possible, take vit C, loads of fluids, just sleep as much as you can.

I didn't move off the sofa for a week (physically couldn't) so.. just do that :)

Hope you feel better soon.

[sheeplikessleep]

Just to say I've been to the Drs this morning again and have now been diagnosed with a chest infection. So I've got antibiotics, which is such a relief that the end is in sight. The Dr did say to rest for next couple of days and if im not better by Friday, to go back for a blood test for whooping cough.

thanks all for posting.

[alienbanana]

Oh good, hopefully you should start to feel better in a couple of days :)

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