Need to recover from flu for TOMORROW help please!

[Kitkat189]

Sorry this is not aibu as such but I’m desperate - I have a super important interview at 9am tomorrow which can’t be moved - but I have a 39.5 degree temperature and feel rotten!! Aside from paracetamol, what can I do to bounce back fast (enough to last for two hours)? Don’t worry, it’s via zoom so I won’t get anyone else sick but I need to be able to think VERY clearly.

If anyone has any tips I’ll very gratefully take them. Thanks!

Gets on your pip doesn't it?

Take the max dose of ibuprofen or paracetamol (1 or 2 tablets depending on dosage) every 4 hours to try and keep the temp down as much as possible, it in itself will be making you feel dreadful

Antihistamines (non drowsy)

Absolutely correct. You can also carry flu and be asymptomatic - just like with covid.

It's a regurgitated old tale that you can't get out of bed with flu, etc.

Flu is very much a spectrum - exactly like with covid, and the common cold virus.

Really? How do you go to the loo when you have flu then? Or look after young children if you are a single parent? Or get yourself a drink if you live on your own?

Strong coffee paracetamol and ibuprofen 2 hours before keep hydrated and I find a greasy breakfast helps too

People really need to pack it in with this stupid misinformation that they heard off their nan once and decided was scientific fact. This sanctimonious bullshit comment pops up on every flu thread without fail and is just demonstrably wrong and spectacularly unhelpful.

The flu doesn't always knock you on your arse, it isn't always horrendous, it doesn't effect everyone the same and while some people are hospitalised by it others are in fact able to function because it doesn't hit them as hard.

Is it too late to read the thread though to get the info you need to reply appropriately?!

I’m surprised they even bother with a vaccine as it’s such a walk in the park. That’s all children, elderly people and those who work with vulnerable people. That will be a huge reason why some people are not on their arse and only have a few symptoms.

It’s not unhelpful. If the op is poorly as she said she is with the flu she may need to prepare herself for the fact she won’t be able to do the interview. Plenty of advice to help her if she can and the other advice is if it’s flu (full on if that keeps you happy) you’re screwed.

How is it helping the OP to wrongly inform her that if she ACKSHUALLY had the flu she wouldn't be able to get out of bed?

I've had flu, yes "full on" flu and been able to carry on a bit. It really, truly is complete bullshit that it always knocks you on your arse. As the OP hasn't advised us that she's a child, elderly or vulnerable I'm not sure how any of those demographics or how flu effects them is relevant?

One person's anecdotal report of their experience of the 'flu proves bugger all.

I'm recovering from the flu currently. I came down with it one night (shivers and fever temp) and the next day I was ok enough to drive for 4 hours (with a big long stop in the middle). It was the next day I was bedridden, and then it was like that for 10 days. I'm now on day 17 and still have a cough and get easily tired but I'm much, much better.

So fingers crossed that if you are at the start of it all it will be like me and you'll just about be fine for your interview. Good luck!

When I was feeling really ill over the Christmas holidays but had to pull myself together for something I took paracetamol and ibuprofen and I took sudofed for my blocked up nose too. So long as it isn't man flu you should be able to pull yourself together for a few hours I reckon with the help of meds.

Good luck Op but I really think you should cancel. I've just had the horrible flu virus that's going round too. I couldn't get out my bed for days, even though I kept feeling like I should have been better by the next day. There was something that I also was desperate to get to but in reality had no chance of attending (notwithstanding my brand new job that I had to miss eight days of 🫣🫣🫣)

I found Sudafed really good for short term relief. It doesn't hold the symptoms back for long but hopefully enough to get through a Zoom interview.

I would tell them you've got flu but really wanted the chance to interview with them. It will explain why you might not be functioning at 100% and will also show your determination. Good luck.

Postpone it. They will probably be delighted to get their Saturday back. A pain for them to re-organise but not impossible.

She might not be able to get out of bed tomorrow. You’ve not got a clue either at this point. Everyone is allowed to make suggestions or make assumptions. Not just you (Sorry to disappoint!)

Just pointing out a vaccine is important enough to roll out and cover all those demographics plus extra when you consider certain employments. So the general assumption is that the majority of the time flu is debilitating and a massive strain on the NHS. That was answering your question fyi.

Lots of indignant posts on this thread from folk who have been swinging the lead pretending they had flu when it really just a bit of a snuffle. Shameful behaviour from you.

That's complete bollocks & an old wives tale.

Flu affects everyone differently. Many people end up seriously Ill and die, some will be very ill & in bed at home needing care from others etc.

The majority of healthy people will be like OP - definitely unwell with a high temp but unlikely to be completely bed ridden.

Some will have milder more cold-like symptoms & some will be infected but not show any symptoms.

Be a bit odd over zoom!

Good luck OP! Hope it goes OK and you can get back to bed

Vicks in a bowl with hot water and towel - steam your face for 10mins to help release congestion and help open airwaves

Totally misread that as *Vicks in bowel". Vicks in bowl sounds much more beneficial and not quite as weird

wanders off to google dyslexia

I'd have cancelled-needing to think quickly and impress people when you have the flu isn't going to happen!

How are you feeling today?

Flu can range from asymptomatic to mild to severe to fatal.

It's just not true that if you can lift your head off the pillow, it's not flu.

Good luck OP thinking of you and willing you to give it your best shot

A near 40-degree fever in an adult is not common with a ‘cold’.

@Kitkat189, how are you feeling this morning?