Flu - so ill, it's been a week. What do I do?

[endicott]

Been knocked out with flu for one week now (before anyone starts I tried twice to get a vaccination - one time chemist was on holiday, secnd time they'd run out, then had a spot reserved when fell ill).

In bed, sweating buckets, sore head, aching limbs and feeling like death.

I'm self employed and had to cancel a ton of work so this has cost me £££

I have two jobs tomorrow I fully expected to be ready for but am thinking now I won't make a miraculous recovery by 7am tomorrow and had better call off. Which will piss everyone off and affect work relations going forward.

Christmas is going to be a write off. I can't do a thing.

Dh has been looking after me but now he has it too and is in the spare room. DD 18 is grumpily doing the odd thing like walking the dog.

Do I need to see the doctor? Or will they just tell me I need more time? How much longer? Waaagh!

Poor you OP. My mother caught flu when I was 2 and was so poorly she couldn’t look after me, so I was spirited away for a month including Christmas. I remember being madly spoiled but with no idea why. My mother can’t speak about it now without crying, but she says she was so, so poorly it was out of her control.

Flu is a virus so antibiotics are pointless!

For what reason?

There is every likely hood the vaccine wouldn’t have helped. The flu vaccine is just a vaccine for 4 or 5 of the flu virus’ they predict will be dominant each year. There are thousands of could be virus’ out there and they are mutating constantly. A flu vaccine might have helped this time but it may not, sometimes our lymphocytes need a work out. It’s not fun but it’ll be testing all your bodies many defences. What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger. Immunity to virus’ very much is something our bodies needs to work for. As you lay there thing of it like a really horrid gym work out.

No need for antibiotics. It’s a virus. Probably not even the flu.

Hydrate (order some electrolytes on Amazon), get out of bed and change it, have a shower and get into fresh pyjamas. Wash your hair, use your favourite moisturiser. That’ll make you feel heaps better already.

last time I had flu it was for two weeks and then it took another month to be back to normal.
Sorry OP flu is horrible.

Don't feel guilty about not having the flu jab. I had mine and still managed to catch this new varient - 2 weeks later and im still recovering. Felt worse than when I caught Covid 3 years ago. Plenty of rest, soup and hot drinks will help, I really hope you get well soon!

It's shit but I think you have to let it run its course. I had it 4 weeks ago and I still feel quite tired and have a lingering cough now. I also had the flu jab in October as well. I am pregnant though so maybe that's why it hit me quite hard despite the jab.

Hope you feel better soon.

Sorry if others have said this already but I would really try to discourage your PILs from coming. If your FIL does need treatment and he picks up a virus or bug it could really set him back. They may refuse treatment until it’s clear.

Could your kids go to them or something (assuming they are healthy?).

Are you coughing up green phlegm or struggling to breathe? If so probably.

Sorry you are felling shitty op.
As others have said.. you'll get antibiotics if you have a chest infection or if you develop an ear infection. Otherwise it's lots of fluids and painkillers ever 4 hours.
Have you got someone who can change your sheets so you might feel more comfy ?
I loved it when dh or one of the grandchildren were poorly ..I love looking after people .weird I know.
I give an excellent bed bath.

Will discuss this with ILs at the weekend, if it's the right thing to do then of course they won't come - they're very risk averse.

I'm not coughing up green phlegm or struggling to breathe. I do know I have flu not Covid or some other virus because I did a specially designated test.

@pestowithwalnuts feel free to come round and change the sheets :) I have changed them this morning - was shocked at the state of my pillowcase - and am putting on fresh PJs every day, it all helps.

Thanks again, everyone for your kindness - it's helped a lot. And those of you in the same boat - we'll get through this!

I had flu one year about 13 years ago now and I was in the pits of hell for 2 weeks the whole 2 week Christmas break. It literally only got a bit better on the last day of it really.
Take care of yourself, OP there's not much you can do now.

I think the only thing to do is drink and sleep as much as you can
To anyone suffering and those who are yet to be bedridden..
Keep warm and cosy and I hope you all have a TV in your bedroom..
Xx

Antibiotics are for bacterial infections. The flu is a virus so they won't have any effect.

Sadly a week is nothing for proper flu. I've had it twice and it was 3 weeks. Don't work unless you are better as it will just make it last longer. I'm self employed too and learned the hard way to book the vaccination in October. The GP can't do anything unless you have developed an infection so it's just a waste of time.

I've got this awful cold that's going round and it's been 2 weeks and I still feel dreadful. It's shit being ill.

I had it for two solid weeks. It began a month ago and I still need to take it easy/nap. My appetite and concentration are gone. Major sympathies.

I’m in the same boat. Horrible, i haven’t even made it into the shower today yet. Up most of last night with D&v and shaking. Day 3.

Day 13 here and this is the first morning I’ve woken up without my mouth feeling like sawdust!

I had the flu vaccine but I’ve not had a bout of anything this bad for years and years!

Drugs, drugs and fluid. Eat regularly too even if you don’t feel like it. I did before taking ibuprofen anyway but another poster pointed out how they could go for ages without eating and when they remembered to eat they felt better.

Just off to the shops now. My Christmas is back on but low low key. DH is ill too but not as bad as me.

Hope you all feel better soon.

Sending you a virtual hug.

I'm now 2 and a half weeks of suffering from the bloody thing. No energy but I am back at work (lucozade sports are helping). Now I've got a blocked ear and a barking cough!