Post viral fatigue: is this a Real Thing? Do I have it?!

[NarniaBanarnia]

I’ve had an utter stinker of a cold that’s lasted for the last 6 days. Only a cold, not flu, but a truly awful one. It kept me awake at night (sore throat, streaking nose) so my sleep was affected. Really the worst cold I’ve had in years; it wiped out half term so all me and poor DD have really done is sit on the sofa reading and watching movies.

But it’s finally over; the sore throat and streaming nose and eyes are gone.

And I’m KNACKERED.

So tired I still can’t face going out and doing anything. So tired I’m just planning to bung things in the oven rather than even vaguely cook a meal today. So tired I just want to go back to BED but DH is working today so it’s not an option.

I felt like it yesterday too even though the cold symptoms were pretty much gone.

Feels worse than just from a few bad nights of sleep.

Is this this post-viral fatigue thing I’ve heard about? Can you have that after ‘just’ a cold!?

Anyone else had this?

Apart from rest (not that easy) and eating well, what can I do?

Oh, or of course is it just Having A Bastard Of A Cold When You Have A Young Child A Job And Being 44 Syndrome?

I had flu then chest infection in October and was ill for 3 weeks. After I'd got better, I was totally and utterly exhausted for nearly 2 weeks and a dr friend said that's what I had. I couldn't believe how completely worn out I felt doing anything!

(Don't know for a cold, but its definia things, and a cold is a virus, so I would imagine yes!)

*definitely a thing 🤦‍♀️

Yes it really is a thing. Be kind to yourself. Sleep lots. (can your daughter go to friends or family today?) And my mum would say get yourself a 'tonic' from the chemist. Some sort of multi vit drink.

It’s definitely a thing. We had noro last year and it took us all weeks to get over the fatigue afterwards.

We’ve also been wiped out this week. We’ve had one illness after another for a month topped off with a real bastard of a cold, and now both DS and I have lingering coughs that are waking us up at night. DH’s cough has subsided a bit, but he has been sleeping on the sofa (no spare room) to get away from the racket we’re making. So we are all knackered as well! I feel your pain

Definitely real. Generally affects older adults though (65+) and can have them out of action for 6+ months. Some never fully recover.

In an otherwise healthy younger adult it shouldn't last more than a few weeks as long as you allow yourself rest.

I had post viral fatigue once, i don't know a lot about it though, it might be worth a Google. I'd had chicken pox and for about a year or two after i was so exhausted that showering was a major event. When i say I'd have to rest after a shower i mean I'd literally not even make it out of the bathroom, I'd just be sitting or lying on the floor unable to make it to the sofa or back to bed. It was, in my mind, like having chronic fatigue syndrome. I can't remember exactly how long it lasted but it was awful.

It’s a thing. Don’t push yourself through it. Get plenty of rest

Oh God yeah it's real. It's also on account of sleeping terribly when we're ill. You're body's knackered from being in fight mode on top of being underslept (even if you think you've slept a lot, you haven't slept well).
I drink a lot of orange/carrot/ginger juice post-illness. Eat your greens. Get good sleep. You'll come back to yourself. But if you don't, go get your bloods tested.

But on a more serious note, I got a post-viral Lupus for 8 months following a Parvovirus B19 infection. It was awful. I remember crying on my children's bedroom floor because I couldn't stand up. I couldn't tie my shoes, my feet, my knees, my fingers were all jet-puffed swollen, my glands were permanently raised, I couldn't walk properly. I remember really thinking, "Fuck. I am going to die and leave my kids. What the hell is wrong with me?" I was terrified. That was many years ago. I am now 47 and have... wait for it... Lupus. Yay! I get continued flare-ups which I live with- it's still pretty mild but getting a bit worse this past year (my dad and mum had Lupus, as did my aunt, so probably, if I didn't have such a strong genetic component, I wouldn't have gotten a post-viral Lupus). But I'm walking proof that a virus can leave lasting fatigue and health issues.

Its a thing. I had it, ignored it and pushed on through with work. It got increasingly worse. I ended up with ME/chronic fatigue for 4 years. At my worst I couldn't walk downstairs.
Rest, rest, rest.
When you feel better remember how shit you feel and try and have empathy for any poor bastard with ME. Its horrific. Plus people actually question if it is real.

Wow. Thanks everyone. Hugely helpful though sorry to hear you have all endured it!

Will take it as easy as possible. MIL says she can come and take DD out today so I will take her up on it.

A ‘tonic’ is a good idea; a multi vitamin.

Thank you all v much.

It’s a thing. Be very careful not to push yourself.
You are more likely to recover if you rest properly. It sounds like you can’t just go to bed - if you can, take lots of short rests interspersed through the day. I know it’s hard with a young child. (I had post viral fatigue when ds3 was 2) Take vitamin D. Get as much help as you can.

My MIL always recommends Floradix.
I used to take it all the time when I was healthier and younger. The other day she was telling me to get some Floradix (in other words: 'You look like a bin bag the foxes have gotten at.' It's my signature look. ).

Vanguard; bin bag that’s been got at by the foxes is hilarious!! My usual look too...

Thanks again all

I had post-viral arthritis once. Started with pains in my finger joints and spread to my whole body. Everything hurt and I moved like an old lady. After 8 weeks it gradually got better and despite having worse illnesses since I’ve never had it again.
Hopefully it won’t last too long for you.