How to ease exhaustion after a viral infection?

[MyheartgoingBoomBoomBoom]

Around 2 weeks ago I caught this chesty cough-like virus which seems to be doing the rounds.

I haven’t felt particularly unwell other than this hacking chest cough which is going on for an age. No sneezing or muscle aches and pains etc.

However, it has left me absolutely exhausted, bone tired.

I normally walk over the fields with my dog every day, no problem but yesterday I felt like I had concrete in my muscles. I feel so so tired, weakly and shaky. Need to work today but I really just want to go to bed.

Is there anything I can take to boost my energy levels? I’m eating fruits and veg etc (although have to be very careful what I eat as I have IBS).

Has anyone tried Metatone tonic?

Pace yourself, be very patient, lower your expectations, pamper yourself with a set schedule that you stick to including sleep and rest, keep including achievable activities, take a tonic, see where you are in three weeks. If not improving get some blood tests done.

There's a good chance it was covid

No, there isn't much you can do about that, and no "tonic" that will help (sorry).

The single most important thing you can do is rest, rest and then rest some more. Trying to exercise through it is counterproductive, and as dog walking is too much for you, then (if you can afford it) hire someone to do at least some of the walks for you.

Don't go back to work yet (you sound too unwell) or arrange a part-time schedule whilst you convalesce.

If the extreme persists then you may benefit from being referred to a long covid clinic

Yeah quite possibly covid, so much of it about at the moment. Don’t panic about long covid - loads of people take a few weeks to get back to normal.

But YY to the advice to take it easy - if you can take time off work then do it. There’s no real shortcuts to getting over post viral fatigue and pushing yourself is counterproductive. Listen to what your body is telling you - it can be up and down.

Just take care of yourself and rest. Eat well, maybe take some extra vitamin C & D and zinc in case you're low, and rest when your body tells you too. Years ago (when I was young and healthy!), I got pneumonia. I was actually properly ill for a month or two. But then I was completely exhausted for about 6 months after. Eventually, it all got back to normal, but it took time. I did a lot of easy meals and early bedtimes in those 6 months.

As others have said, listen to your body, rest and proper nourishment are the basics which work

Thanks everyone.
I don’t think it’s Covid, I’ve had it twice before and it took me to my bed, I felt so rough both times. I’ve also done a couple of tests (as I care for my elderly mum) and they’ve been negative but who knows?

I just feel so so tired. I thought I was feeling a bit better yesterday as I didn’t cough so much but by 6pm I felt like I had run a marathon, so so tired, racing heart, hot face and felt like I needed to sleep but just couldn’t, I tossed and turned all night (this unusual hot weather probably not helping).

I will do all the things suggested and just hope I feel more myself soon.

mindutopia I developed pneumonia after the flu, about 10 years ago. It took me a good 3 months to feel right again, it was not pleasant.

Hope you recovered ok OP? Did you try metatone tonic in the end? Did it help?