To hate when people say they have the flu? (Lighthearted)

[MeepMeepVrooooom]

I have absolutely no idea why and I think I'm a bit mental for this however...

I hate when people say they have the flu when they don't. It's a cold, man up a bit. I have every sympathy for people who do have the flu and are really ill.

You don't have the flu if you are sitting down the pub having a pint, or at work not looking like you are about to pass out, or going shopping. You have a bloody sniffle.

Does this annoy anybody else or should I get a grip and a large glass of wine and ignore it when anyone says it in future?

Oh Meep. I share your pet peeve. I have a friend with a 2-year old currently hospitalized for "influenza". I do not understand the bandying of the term "flu" incorrectly. Cold is different from, and better than, the flu.

It's real 'flu if there's a £20 outside your front door and you physically cannot go and get it. Otherwise it's a cold!!!

Tulip I do agree, I only added the without looking like they are going to pass out at work thing in as I know some people who have literally dragged themselves in and nearly died (bit of an over-exaggeration, but not far off it) in the process. Obviously being sent home immediately also.

Glad I'm not alone with this

Crowler I hope your friends little one gets better soon, must be awful for them.

Rarrrrgh this gets on my nerves too. Also when people say "I've got such a migraine" when they have a normal headache.

I used to work in a shop and people would come in saying I'm full of flu! I was no your not!!

But cold and flu rememdies are grouped together in the chemists, so people think they are the same thing. I used to think that cold plus sore throad = flu. Until I got influenza.

Tulip, agree with you, only mum always said £50

OP YANBU, I hate people who exaggerate, as it could make things worse for people who are really ill, cos then they might not be believed.

Oh hate it too. Even before my stint in hospital with the flu (real mccoy one).

YADNBU

YANBU, I have had flu only twice in my life. Totally wiped out and bed bound. Snort, most folks just have a bad cold. Gah.

Yes. No, you have a cold, and in all likelihood could perfectly well do whatever it is you just sacked off because you 'have really bad flu.'

YANBU. I get a cold every few months, yes you can feel quite shit but it's gone within a couple of days. I've had actual flu twice in my life and it's absolutely not a cold or the sniffles. It can knock you sideways for a couple of weeks - you can't wander around complaining to everyone about how crap you feel because you don't have the energy to whinge in the first place!

Yey, I thought I was in a minority with this as I hear it all the time.

When someone says this I always think (sometimes aloud) If you think that's flu you've never had flu. I've had it once and couldn't make it up the stairs without stopping for a rest (maybe a snooze too haha)

If I'm aching all over and feeling terrible, in my pjs on the sofa, unable to collect the DCs from school and have no appetite (that's when I KNOW I'm ill!) the I'll say I have a horrible fluey virus, just to illustrate that it's not just a cold.

However, having seen my mum suffer with actual flu, it does annoy me that anyone who is dressed in daytime clothes and has left the house for ANY reason (unless hospital or Drs obvs!) says they have the flu. They clearly don't.

Yanbu.

DH always has the 'flu'. It drives me potty. He also now has 'migraines' since I was diagnosed with them.

My colleague had "the blue flu" the other week.

Pretty sure my husband has "man flu" right now as well...

It wasn't actually meant to mean annoyed but I apologise if it has offended.

I can't see what the fuss is all about. I used to say I had flu till it became not the done thing to say. I now say a bug or flu like illness.

I don't know, to me it's like someone saying they had pneumonia when they had a chest infection.

There is obviously huge variations with both illnesses, some people can be at home and be treated and get through it no problem but others have to be hospitalised etc. To me a cold is vastly different from flu and it annoys me that's all.

I think i've only ever had flu twice in my whole life, where i couldnt physically move from the bed, if its a cold i full crap but keep going.

Flu will keep you in bed, very ill for days.

Whenever someone tells me they have the flu I say: "Really? Like influenza?" It really bothers me for some reason.

Friend's 2 year old has been in the hospital for nearly a week and the flu was masquerading as meningitis for a while, my poor lovely friend has been through the wringer. Really wish I could help but 2 year olds really want only their mum!

He also now has 'migraines' since I was diagnosed with them.

Oh, this must absolutely do your head in. I would kill my husband.

Yep, the migraine thing gives me the rage too. If you can tell me you've "got a migraine", then it's not a fucking migraine!! People claiming 'allergic', when they mean 'not keen on...' get on my tits, too

Only had flu once... It was dreadful... I agree with other posters if you can get up.. It's not flu!