Really nasty virus/infection with unusual symptoms

[Squiff70]

I advise you not to read this if you're eating or have a weak stomach!

Nearly 48 hours ago I started with a sore throat and my breathing was a bit fast.

Fast forward 12 hours, I'm flat out on the sofa unable to move. My partner had to take charge of our 3 year old and 3 month old as I was totally unless. I couldn't even hold or lift the baby. My temp went up to 40°C. At this point I vomited several times. I'm certain it's not a stomach bug as I always vomit when my temp gets really high.

Today I'm not much better. My partner had to go to work so I've been looking after baby and toddler alone. By the time he got home I was fit for nothing.

But, I have some unusual symptoms. I've just done a Covid lateral flow test and after using the swab on my tonsils, the tip was grey, covered in pus and smelt very fishy. The test is negative.

The most unusual symptom I have is pain. I have round spots of pain in different areas of my body such as the tops my shoulders and hands. Each 'spot' is about the size of a 5p coin. They are extremely painful to touch. I also have pain in my neck, not just where my glands are but the very sides of my neck and round the back too.

Pulse 121, sats 94, temp ranging from 37.8 to 40. I can only take paracetamol and ibuprofen as I'm breastfeeding my baby. My tonsils are extremely swollen and have a few greyish white spots. It hurts to swallow and I've developed a cough. I have a permanent headache despite drinking lots of cold water. I'm also producing huge amounts of mucus in my throat and when I spit it into a tissue, it is grey with brown, old blood.

I have no idea what this is but it is GRIM. Anyone else have/had similar symptoms?

Unlikely, I don't have a rash.

As for diphtheria, we'll, who knows? But how would I find out?

Jeesus. There are some really horrible viruses about! Get well soon op 🍇

Oh op I'm so nervous making a comment because I'll jinx myself and get it!

But it's so stressful What we have to go through when I'll.

Seriously you need to be seen. You'll have to get someone to take you to the hospital.

Yeah the grey tip on the swab made me think diphtheria too. I'd be off to A&E personally with those symptoms

Go to A&E tonight.
You sound extremely unwell and with those symptoms, you should be seen asap.

Please get yourself to A and E. I would be worried about sepsis at this stage.

Sounds as though the antibiotics are not strong enough. You need to seek further treatment. Never mind your past experiences, call 111.

The grey lesions sound like diptheria. This is what happens when doctors don't actually see patients.

Could be Glandular fever OP get back onto the gp if no better

I really can't face A&E. It means waiting on a hard plastic chair for 12+ hours and I can't sit up foe long. If I'm lying down I'm not too bad. I've been worried about sepsis too - I've had it twice and know the symptoms so yes I'm keeping it in my mind that's a possibility. The very sad fact of the matter is I don't trust the NHS any more to try and make an accurate diagnosis. That's NOT because of the extremely hard-working doctors, nurses and other staff members. It's because of the deplorable cuts and bed-slashing done by over a decade of scumbag Tory policy.

I know there's no such thing as A&E on the private sector, but I'd be happy to pay a private specialist to see me and make an accurate diagnosis and treatment. Not one I'd see at an NHS hospital as I don't agree with queue-jumping, but at a private hospital. The only problem I have is I have NO idea what speciality I need. Immunology?

I suspect the grey pus on the Covid swab was a greyish white spot on my tonsils which I'd accidentally dislodged with the cotton swab end. Occasionally they dislodge themselves randomly and get stuck at the back of my throat, triggering my gag reflex and often causing me to actually vomit.

You really need to be seen OP, though I can understand your reluctance - I could cry at what this country has become

Is everyone else in your household well?

This thread has just made me google diphtheria - I had no idea it was a nose/throat thing; can you still get it if you've been vaccinated?

Oh you can even if vaccinated - unlikely to get the severe form though according to Dr Google.

@Squiff70 if you're determined not to go to the hospital which you seem to be. Google concierge doctor in my area. There's three in our area and I know two of them. They'll see you for a fee

Could it be hand foot and mouth ? Sounds silly but can sometimes only affect and target one area ie in your case mouth ! & cause your symptoms! Hope u feel better x

Oh op what a shit show! My children have had this rsv bug the last week and are completely wiped out. The cough is the worst.. poor Ds now has diarrhoea so doubly miserable. I hope you get some relief soon 💜

@Squiff70 I hope you're getting some help today. Another thought ask your pharmacist

Update: I'm still unwell. I've had two 5-day courses of antibiotics and my GP suggested at the end of last week that I might need a third. I have developed a very chesty cough a few days ago and have almost constant chest pain. I haven't needed to take painkillers for two full days but this morning have had to take paracetamol and ibuprofen as my left tonsil has swollen up again and it's hard to swallow past it. I've now been ill for 2 and a half weeks, and had no voice for two of those weeks. It's trying to come back.

My partner has just gone to work. If he doesn't go he doesn't get paid and he's taken over 2 weeks off to help look after our children through this period of illness.

This morning my sats are fluctuating between 92 and 96. I feel rotten. I'm going to ring the doctors shortly and ask for more/different antibiotics but also a chest x-ray. I realise they can't send everyone who has a virus for tests like x-rays but nearly 3 weeks on I'm not making much, if any progress. I'm concerned about chest infections and pneumonia due to previous experience.

111 sorted out an out of hours prescription for my bacterial tonsillitis as it was horrific. You really should call

Oh sorry this is an old thread. Doh