Feeling shattered after virus

[Cloud44]

Im getting over some kind of virus that started a couple of weeks ago and I’m still feeling really tired and finding it hard to concentrate. Is this normal? I’m finding it really frustrating trying to balance everything, has anyone else found this? Any tips on how to get some energy back?

Anyone?!

Loads of people have had this after Covid, but other viruses too. The main advice is usually to rest as much as possible now, to help you get back to normal asap.

Definitely take it easy if you can. I had this as did a number of work friends - we all work FT and have young DC and one was told by her GP that we're a demographic that often had very long recoveries after covid.

Just eat as healthily as you can and get as much rest as you can (both easier said than done for many women I know) and hopefully it'll ease in time.

I had this a few weeks ago.

I was unwell with a mild cold and had a couple of days of hot and cold shivers and a headache. Tested for Covid as my DD is vulnerable but it was negative ( tests were out of date I realised later)

Spoke to a friend that I'd spent the day driving with the week before and they told me that they had tested positive for Covid. They were actually coming down with it on the day we were together as I mentioned on the day that he didn't seem well and was getting worse as the day went on.

I had three weeks of just feeling exhausted. I'd fall asleep in the afternoon if I stopped to read a book or watch some TV. I'd wake up feeling like I had been drugged or had drunk too much wine.

Gradually and slowly started to feel better and less tired over the next three weeks.

Yes, I've been under the weather for 8 days now. It's knocked the stuffing out of me. Worse than a standard cold but not as bad as proper 'flu.

It’s so frustrating. How do you get through all your commitments at work / home whilst dealing with it? And any tips on how to try and avoid catching something else whilst being run down?!

Me too. I keep snoozing on the sofa which is so unlike me. I'm on antibiotics at the moment though. Completely knocked the stuffing out of me. Eat well and drink plenty is my advice.

@IndependentUndefeated do you find antibiotics make you more tired?

All you can do is listen to your body and rest as much as you can. It is difficult with work/family commitments I know.

These symptoms are very common after a virus. Normally they go away with rest so give yourself the best chance by resting as much as you realistically can. Don't push yourself through symptoms by making yourself exercise or anything like that because you could end up with long term problems which has happened to me and a lot of other people.

I don't know whether it's the antibiotics or the infection that is wiping me out. I know abs can be pretty harsh on your body.

I had possibly COVID or certainly a very bad cold in early April and still not 100% over it. Cough has persisted, I get headaches and there's a weird pain/sensitivity in my face, though that's mostly gone. Have never had any knock on effects like this from any similar illness

I feel exactly the same after covid. I'm 3 weeks in and I do feel like I'm getting better just extremely extremely slowly and am feeling generally so wiped out. I carried on working from home when I was ill with it but thinking I should have probably taken some time off instead

You’re still ill. This isn’t recovery yet. You have to take this really seriously and get help with everything that you can. Otherwise it just gets worse and keeps you ill for longer. Long Covid seems to flourish and take hold in knackered, stressed, overworked women in my experience and that of many women I know unfortunately.

Last summer I has bronchitis followed shortly afterwards by sinusitis.

I felt like I’d been run over - I’m not the most ‘well’ generally but Jesus - never felt so bad in my life.

Sometimes viruses completely wipe you. I needed a full 3 days in bed to get over it and was weak for a good three weeks afterwards.

rest and look after yourself.

I'm 3 years in to long covid and everyday deal with fatigue and symptoms. The best advice I can give is try to avoid ending up like me if you can. Rest rest and rest some more.
Have lots of high vitamin vegetables, start taking magnesium and b complexes and keep fluids up. You cannot push through post viral fatigue or long covid it does the exact opposite and will make you worse.

Strip everything back the the bare minimum that you have to do get your partner or family to do other tasks in the short term. Try and reduce high energy activities this isn't just working but reading, screens etc.

Try and pace your day so rest breaks after 20 minutes of at least 10 minutes.

Has anyone else felt a bit emotional whilst trying to get over a virus or is that just me?! It’s just hard to let it take it’s time with work etc.

Very effective tip for not catching something else while you're still run down (or in general): wear a FFP2 or FFP3 respirator, especially in crowded places. (Not surgical masks- those are only good for protecting others from you.) I appreciate this only works for people outside your household and your partner/kids may still bring viruses in, however the risk reduction is significant.

The respirators are fairly easy to find and not that expensive, Boots has an own-brand FFP2 for example. Make sure they fit your face, as in not too loose, and that you don't touch the surface when you take it off, just the straps. They are single-use in theory but they should be good for about 8-10 hours of total wear, e.g. a series of shorter uses.

Feeling emotional or even depressed is also extremely common after a nasty virus. It can be connected to the inflammatory response as well as reacting to the unpleasantness of being ill/tired.

Rest. I know it's tedious and frustrating, but cancel everything you can and rest. Ideally take time off work but if not at least cancel everything else. Your body is telling you to rest !

How long will it take?!

As long as it takes.

This has happened to me twice once after covid once after another bug. Both times it was going away on a trip that really helped me pick up. Makes me think of Victorian doctors recommending a "change of air!"

I don't think it's all psychological either. I don't know how it worked to cue my body that the illness was gone but that's what it felt like happened.

Rest rest and rest, pace activities, focus on getting good sleep and eating healthily. If it doesn't improve in a few weeks see your GP.

Post viral fatigue can be brutal.

But be aware. If you feel you are steadily getting worse, you need to go to your GP. Autoimmune conditions can be triggered by a heavy viral load. These don't just go away.

Ventilate by opening windows, and wear a respirator in crowded places. Unpopular now, but that's how to reduce risk of air-borne infections.

3M Aura fit most people.