Would I know if I had flu?

[DearTeddyRobinson]

I feel stupid asking but I feel dreadful! I have been feeling a bit off colour for a few days then started with sore throat, swollen glands on Sunday. Last night I was awake half the night with chills, freezing cold, then boiling hot despite ibuprofen. Temp was 38. Today I am shattered and aching everywhere and even more worryingly I'm off my food 😀.
I know Mumsnet law is, if you can post on Mumsnet, it's not flu, but I definitely feel worse than a normal cold.
Ironically I'm due to have the flu shot next week . I'm worried about infecting the rest of the family, my 2yo has had his flu vaccine but not the 5yo (they have it at school but it's not been scheduled yet). DH reckons he feels snottybut he hates to be left out of an illness.
There's no point going to the doctor is there? I just feel so utterly shite.

Nope 1/3 of cases are asymptomatic. The rest are a spectrum between that and dead.

When I had flu, started with what seemed like a stomach bug. Then suddenly it was like being hit by a tonne of bricks. Al I could do was be in bed. I felt like I was in limbo. I couldn’t sleep but I couldn’t stay awake. I couldn’t concentrate on the TV. I remember thinking I would rather die than carry on as I was (not usually that dramatic). Every trip to the loo was energy sapping. I’d put it off as long as I could but it took me so long I’d have time it so I actually made it in time. I realised it was probably flu when I got to day 5 and still didn’t seem any better.

Nasty virus or flu, key thing is hydration. If you can’t stomach fluids, try ice lollies. Regular paracetamol is good for your temp down but if it’s still up tomorrow I’d call 111.

It might be flu, it might not be. Not much way of telling without being swabbed.

Hope you manage to get plenty of rest and feel better soon.

Sounds like flu to me - I had it a few weeks ago and had similar symptoms. No cold symptoms, full on exhaustion, fever, shivers etc etc.
I don’t buy the whole ‘if you’re posting on MN you don’t have flu’ thing - I was still posing on MN when I was in hospital with viral meningitis which was considerably less enjoyable

Also, one of the real flu hallmarks is the speed it comes on and the total wipeout effect. I literally COULDN’T get out of bed, whereas with a really bad cold I don’t WANT to get out of bed but I can. I think that’s the difference for me.