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Original poster

Sometimes a cold isn't "just a cold"

37 replies

QuestionsorComments · 26/01/2022 15:43

I have a cold. It's not Covid (tested) and it's not flu (I'm not that ill) but my god it's not "just a cold" to carry on as usual with.

I have no voice, my ears and throat hurt like hell even after taking pain relief, my nose just will not stop, my back and legs ache and if I sit down for more than 20 mins I'm asleep.

But when I go back to work I'll have to put down that I had a cold Grin

OP posts:
HerRoyalNotness · 26/01/2022 15:45

Put down you had an undiagnosed virus Smile

itsgettingweird · 26/01/2022 15:48

Well it could be flu.

Flu like covid significantly reduces symptoms is vast numbers of people if vaccinated.

Plus flu doesn't make everyone extremely ill. It can be a horrid cold for 4-5 days with fever. General colds don't give a fever.

I had flu in 1997. I was really unwell. But I know not everyone is that ill!

The same as I've had covid twice. First time I was really unwell for weeks. This time I had a cold that felt like tonsillitis! But that doesn't mean I don't realise for some its fatal.

You can say "cold" or say you had and sinus infection if in your sinuses. Remember infections are viruses as well as bacterial!

RiaOverTheRainbow · 26/01/2022 15:57

I'm just getting over an utterly shit cold. My theory is it was flu, but as I'd been jabbed it wasn't as bad as it could've been.

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General health
itwasntaparty · 26/01/2022 15:58

It's a cold like it ever was before bloody Covid.

Lipsandlashes · 26/01/2022 16:02

@RiaOverTheRainbow

I'm just getting over an utterly shit cold. My theory is it was flu, but as I'd been jabbed it wasn't as bad as it could've been.
I had this before Christmas. In bed for a day. Fever/chills/aches/tiredness etc but feeling mildly better by day two. Cold symptoms then lasted about a week. Definitely not Covid as I tested most days and had a PCR. I also thought it might be flu but as I'd been vaccinated for flu, it wasn't as bad.
CheltenhamLady · 26/01/2022 16:02

I am exactly the same Op. I felt better yesterday, but I am the same again today.

Steelesauce · 26/01/2022 16:03

I know what you mean. I've never had a 'cold' like the one I have now. But don't think its the flu?? I'm currently testing negative for covid. I'm normally a work through anything kinda person but I am completely floored at the minute. I'm stating to work it is the flu if I continue to test negative.

Aderyn21 · 26/01/2022 16:03

Tell work it's a sinus infection - while colds per se aren't 'serious', they still make you feel like shit. Work are more likely to be sympathetic if you say it was a sinus thing

BorgQueen · 26/01/2022 16:03

It’s hideous, whatever it bloody is.
I’ve been unwell for 11 days now, never had a sore throat like it, plus a hacking, productive, but tickly cough.
Think DGS gave it to me from nursery.
It’s nothing like Flu though.

Original poster
QuestionsorComments · 26/01/2022 16:05

@itwasntaparty

It's a cold like it ever was before bloody Covid.
It's not though. I mean, I had colds like this before covid of course, but most colds before and since just mean making sure you've got tissues with you and carrying on.

There's nothing different about this cold because of covid, which is irrelevant, but it's a world away from what you're thinking when someone says "just a bit of a cold".

OP posts:
Boopeedoop · 26/01/2022 16:07

Sorry but it sounds like flu.

EmmaH2022 · 26/01/2022 16:09

Put down that you had a sinus infection.

Have you tried codeine?

I hope you recover asap Flowers

MadeinBelfast · 26/01/2022 16:12

How did you test for Covid? I know a few people who've had something similar. All their LFTs were negative throughout but a PCR after a week was positive.

CeratopsofthePharoahs · 26/01/2022 16:19

When I worked in retail I had several patches of catching cold after cold, with usually less than a week between getting over one and going down with the next. By the time I got to the fourth or fifth in a row, it wasn't "just" a cold, I felt like death. Couldn't move without horrendous pain and a nose like a fountain.
Then they all started settling on my chest. My asthma, which had been dormant for years, came back with a vengeance and I was back on steroids for months.
One of the many many colds did lead to a sinus infection and now even the lightest of colds leads to everything clogging up on that side of my head with partial deafness for weeks.
Just a cold? Heck no.

Doodlepip23 · 26/01/2022 16:23

I had 8 days of being utterly floored by a cold over Christmas. Ended up with both conjunctivitis and sinusitis, still have a dry cough lingering from it all. Was convinced it would be covid, but just a horrible cold apparently. Hope you feel better soon OP.

Sally872 · 26/01/2022 16:41

For me there is a scale from

  1. just a cold. Carry on as normal with tissues.
  2. bad cold. Paracetamol and hot drinks and ok enough.
  3. miserable/awful cold. Off sick, loads of tissues, paracetamol and doing as little as possible. Dh to bring me soup and hot drinks.

For me the worse colds usually don't last long thank goodness!!! Get well soon.

itsgettingweird · 26/01/2022 16:44

As an aside. If your sinuses are blocked had you tried Sudafed? I find it's amazing at helping.

But yes this sounds like flu or a sinus infection.

Colds generally mean paracetamol and get on with your day. (In peoples minds at least Grin)

ItWorriesMeThisKindofThing · 26/01/2022 16:47

Some colds can be bloody awful. Sending sympathy!

Branleuse · 26/01/2022 16:50

So its a respiratory virus that has led to laryngitis and an ear infection. Are you on antibiotics

KevinTheKoala · 26/01/2022 16:59

I had an awful cold over new years - I was 100% sure I must have covid because I actually passed out on the floor at one point! But by the 3rd day I was feeling a bit more human and much more like a heavy cold, the aches and pains lasted for a few weeks after though! (I did lots of tests it definitely wasn't covid) and I didn't have the flu vaccine because I'm not entitled to it so I think if it had been flu it would have lasted longer. I think because people have been wearing masks and sanitizing for a long time now that alot of people are becoming more complacent our immune systems might just be having to work a bit harder and making us feel worse.

Picklesandbeans · 26/01/2022 17:07

Just a word of warning , my cold started sunday, PCR and lft negative.... until today! Keep testing!

DazedandConcerned · 26/01/2022 17:08

I have it too! I’m calling it the “cold to end all colds”. Also tested and it isn’t covid.

I can barely hear! I’m on so many drugs it isn’t even funny at this point. My DH had his turn into a chest infection and needed antibiotics. Be glad when we’re both well.

Get better soon OP! Solidarity.

Twinklights · 26/01/2022 17:10

Just put down ‘mild flu’

Iggly · 26/01/2022 17:10

Unless you’ve done a PCR it may still be covid 🤷🏻‍♀️

Which isn’t like the fucking flu or a cold. But anyway I digress.

Colds can bad nasty fuckers - not just a sniffle!

VioletOcean · 26/01/2022 17:29

Colds are nasty when I have one..anyone else and it’s really “just a cold”

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