Who has this virus? Like a bad cold on steroids

[yohohoCrimbo]

I think this is Day 8 and it's never ending. I usually pick up after day 3 of a head cold but this just seems to be gathering momentum. Sneezing, nose either congested or running like a tap even at 2 am.

I teach and had a rubbish week last week but I think I will have to phone in sick if I'm not feeling better by this time tomorrow.

On day 27 of this and feel like I’m getting worse not better again. No energy, lifeless, nauseous. A feeling like I’m still congested/sinus is not clear. I’m at a loss for what to even do anymore. This is utterly miserable and relentless.
The odd few hours of feeling ok that I was having here and there seem to just get less and less. I’m early 40s I must have a dreadful immune system to be this unwell.

As far as I know, people are usually the most infectious right at the beginning of showing symptoms.

At what point does this start to become concerning?

As in long Covid concerning or post viral chronic fatigue…. Can’t be normal for it to last this long… 😞😞😞☹️ and for symptoms to get worse almost 4 weeks in. Can you tell I’m getting to rock bottom now? Any stories of people who improved again after weeks of this?

@Thegrassroots26 I hear you. I too am a bit worried that this is bordering on post viral fatigue. I've only had one day off sick through this but I work from home so it's easier. But I was feeling better for 2 days and then ended up in bed again.

It’s concerning isn’t it? I’ve had weeks off work, but it’s more that I have two kids amd live in a single parent home and I can’t parent them when I’m like this - it’s so hard. I just feel absolutely useless, can’t prepare meals, can’t pick them up in the car as sometimes I’m just flat out in bed. It’s scary to go from busy and capable and independent - to well, this… It’s horrible. Don’t feel anyone gets it really.

Sorry you are also struggling. It just doesn’t feel like there’s an end to this illness.

I had something very similar in July. The fatigue knocked me out for 6 weeks (luckily I’m a teacher). I Literally didn’t move from my house. I used to be extremely fit and active so was devastated.

It’s taken up until a couple of weeks ago to start feeling remotely like myself and then I’ve been hit with this new virus. It is very concerning and I cried most of yesterday. Hugs to everyone suffering x

Is anyone monitoring oxygen levels? I got an oximeter during covid, my level went down to 89 and I phoned 111 and then sent me to A&E where I had blood tests, x ray and antibiotics. They booked me another xray just before Christmas to see what is going on. I'm really not sure what to expect, my cough is still here but definitely better than it was, my nose is running constantly and I suddenly wondered today if I might be allergic to something. I might try some antihistamines and see what happens. Well that's if I can work up the energy to go to the shop.

Well I made an interesting discovery this morning. Went online to reorder regular meds for myself and DH. Thought I'd have a look to see what the hospital had reported to my GP about my visit 4 weeks ago. I had pneumonia, no wonder I felt rough.

Day 15 here… asthmatic so have been on antibio, steroids, iv steroids , chest X-rays and nebs and it is showing no signs of going away… thankfully I had most stuff done for Christmas except wrapping and decorating- going to stick some fairy lights in bowls as no energy/breathe for anything else and my usual pre Christmas deep clean will be waiting until Jan.
I have never had covid so can’t compare but GP did say they are beginning to think this is a covid based bug or two mega bugs- puke and cold combining.
Roughest I have felt in years and have had to cancel some lovely outings I was looking forward too

@TheignT bloody hell, you'd have thought they'd tell you!

I actually woke up feeling slightly better this morning. Snot is extreme though and I keep having waves of sweaty nausea. Isn't it fun

Feel like I'm coming down with something...

Really bad backache last night, and felt nauseous later on in the evening. Went to bed still feeling a bit sicky and sore.
Woke up still feeling a little bit delicate but better than last night, but have a slightly scratchy sore throat. Usually my pre-cursor of getting a cold.

I'm on day 14. No fever for two days now so feel I'm out the other side. Thought I was never going to feel better again

Day 24. Slowly getting better. Cough still there but not so much and not uncontrollable like before. Snot easing up. Sense of taste returning.

But the tiredness is terrible! I haven't taken a single day off work but I m in bed by 10pm or earlier and going round the supermarket has exhausted me. Took my kitten out in the garden for a bit which was nice but both me and him are now resting in bed again.

One more week of school but Christmas holidays are hardly restful!

Wish everyone better soon.

I THINK there might be light at the end of the tunnel.

To add though I m still tired and over emotional. As a tough old generation x I hardly ever cry but this illness is turning me into a weepy wreck.

We've had a house full of visitors all day and I'm so beyond tired this evening I could sit and cry. I just want to have my normal energy levels back, that's all

Over whelming fatigue had to leave work early barley made it back straight to bed and slept for a hours, aching all over, headache, deep cough

I'm still trumpeting lots of green snot and phlegm (I'm sorry) but my energy is increasing. That said, I tried some Christmas shopping and had a terrible dizzy spell that lasted way too long.

This virus is truly horrible. Sending you all healing vibes

I've been the same. I'm not the type to have the vapours but I've been feeling very emotionally fragile with this. I've burst into tears over trivial things a few times, as well as just feeling general dread and grumpiness.

I've been weepy and feeling hopeless the past few days. Thank goodness someone mentioned it.

Don't know if this is a coincidence and things were just due to get better but I bought some Vitamin C and Zinc effervescent tablets a few days ago. This morning my runny nose seems to be drying up and I haven't coughed yet. I don't care either way, or if it is a placebo effect, I will accept anything that makes this seem better.

I've just realised my joint pains are also much better.

I have hope again. I hope everyone is feeling better soon.

How are we all? I've slept all night for two nights which helped but it's back on my tummy now and I'm still tired. I'm just hoping that's the back of it now as it's been over a week.

I’m at the 2 week stage now and it’s definitely on its way out although still have a cough/phlegm. I went for my usual walk yesterday which I haven’t done for nearly 2 weeks. It’s about 6 km. I did struggle a bit on the way back, felt dizzy and had that “sugar low” feeling, walked very slowly. I still a bit achy I would say but that could be down to inactivity and my age! I’m usually quite active. I’ve missed 2 weeks of my Pilates class and the gym.

i think there will be another week of “recovery” and ability to get to usual level of activity and cough to diminish.

so 3 weeks is I think a “typical” timeline for flu.

hope everyone gets better soon

I know so many people who have/have had this and they've said it's terrible. Lots of rest op and sleep propped up to keep stuff off your chest. Feel better soon, all

Yes I had to sleep propped up on 2 firm pillows for quite a few nights, otherwise I couldn’t breathe. It feel like an unnatural position to sleep in but does help. I saw later that it is recommended on the NHS website for treatment of flu at home.

I've been asleep with periods of TV since Friday's morning.
I couldn't help choose the tree yesterday, I think I would have been OK in a car with a pillow but walking in and standing around I definitely couldn't do.
I'm desperate to get to this special Xmas place today they won't be running it again.

I feel better but weak, not as nauseas.

Hugs to the single parents I couldn't look after myself let alone dc..
I've barely been able to get to the bathroom.