I’m about to be taken down by the flu…

[Feelinfluey]

So, I’ve had my DC in my bed since Saturday am. High temp, coughing, snotting, sneezing, all within inches of me. He hasn’t moved out of bed other than to use the bathroom-very unlike him, so I know he feels rough af!
He asked me for a drink about 2 hours ago, and I can’t get back to sleep… headache, scratchy throat. I’d say it’s inevitable that I’m now getting his lurgy.
How can I prep for this? I’ve got paracetamol in the house already. Just curious how other people(with kids/single parent) manage it(and when to call a priest 😂

I was ill first two weeks of December and for all it wasn't full on flu, I was fatigued, horrible aches, night sweats, achy neck glands so definitely more than a cold. And my immune system has struggled since, I get pretty much clear of things for a few days and something else brews in my throat or tonsils. Just had some sort of laryngitis thing for a few days and have the tickly cough from hell.

I took ill on 17 December struggled on till Christmas Day then ended up in bed for 4 days. I still have a racking cough which I think will take weeks to subside.

Ready meals
Every type of drink you might ever fancy
Ice lollies
Beechams cold and flu
Extra soft tissues
Snacks and sweets to keep kids quiet

If you have to go to the supermarket, wear a tight-fitting mask.

We have been floored by the virus/flu type thing here and DH has said the boots max strength cold and flu have really helped. The start of 2026 has been grim.

...masses of fluids, of course. Alternate paracetomol and ibuprofen every 4hrs.
So: buy plenty of unwaxed lemons to steep in jugs of boiling water with honey to your taste. Have jugs of this on hand day and night.
Get loads of baking potatoes & butter/tuna/baked beans/grated cheese/pesto, etc. So you can microwave a potato & fling some-filling-or-other into it to feed your DC. Or readymeals/microwavable meals.
Or microwaved porridge in vast quantities eaten with honey and milk or cream or jam or whatever you fancy.
Good luck. I'm old, so I don't go in for readymeals (in the ened they all tasted the same to me). But, with a microwave and some potatoes & pasta, you've got your own readymeals right there. Just add cheese or tuna or pesto.

Don't stress on catering, just focus on rest and recuperation.
Oh, and also look up those mouthwashes with PVP-1 properties (one e.g. I can remember is Plax - but there are plenty more) and gargle morn&night.
Good luck.

I’m now wondering whether that’s what DD1 (16) had last term. She went down with a bad cold for a couple of days then developed a bad cough, which still hasn’t completely disappeared (though she’s perfectly fine in herself).

Oh, and I forgot about SOUP.
buy as many tins as you can carry, you'll be too poorly to make your own.

Don't bother with a ton of vitamins, they've been proven not to help of any real amount once you've got the lurgy and high doses of some, like vitamin C can give you the squits, which I presume is the last thing you'd want on top of everything else!

Instead, cough sweets to keep throat less irritated and help with coughing/sore throat, lots of sips of fluids does same thing too. nice easy meals, lots of hot and cold drinks, paracetamol and ibuprofen can lower your temperature and help with the flu aches and pains. If you didn't already know, can alternate between the two, every 2 hours to help you try and get comfortable. (so para's at 12pm, ibup at 2pm, para's at 4pm etc) Don't forget things like lemsip already have paracetamol in them, if not teaching you how to suck eggs!

Good luck OP, hope it turns out to be ok.......

How are you feeling OP? I've got my fingers crossed for you that it doesn't come to anything. My youngest had it before Christmas and shared my bed through the worst of it. I feel like I've been on the verge of coming down with something ever since, but it hasn't come to anything worth staying in bed for yet!

Apparently vicks rubbed on the feet helps?

Vit C, lemsips, hot baths, the usual.

A reminder to have the flu jab early this year!

Hope you're ok xxx

Iv had a bad cold - potentially flu hampered by me having the flu jab. Day 3. With you in spirit op.

How you doing OP?? Mine hit but I’m not half as bad as some of you have been, today was the headache, buzzing ears and I’m sneezing and coughing lots and the sore throat is coming back this evening.

My jab was £8 from Morrisons with More Card discount.

Vit C 1g with Zinc 3 x a day
An immune system booster like Echinacea or Olive Leaf Extract.
Lots of fluids
Anti inflammatories
And Rest.
TV for DC
💐

Good luck @Feelinfluey ! My DH came home from work with this on Friday, he slept for 48 hours. (Important to note he’s’s not the typical MN dressing gown of doom husband ™️ ) then only spetnt 36 hours/day sleeping for the last two. He’s back at work today and so far so good.

Yesterday I started feeling wonky so cancelled one appt…woke up fine today so fingers are crossed I avoided it, but last time I was a week behind him so not out of the woods yet.

Sleep!

Your best plan.

Morning!
so far, I’ve escaped. DS(3) is very poorly though. High temp which just won’t come down with the usual calpol/brufen, very red cheeks. He didn’t eat or drink much at all yesterday and just slept(very unlike him). We’ve been up since about 3am. I’ve ordered McDonald’s breakfast(at his request!) but that was an hour ago, and there’s no sign of it yet. They need to get a shift on, as they’re bringing COFFEE! Christ I’m tired. Night 4 of very little sleep has me on my knees

godspeed my friend-this flu was the worst I’ve ever felt. I had it in early November and I don’t think the post viral fatigue has all
together lifted though I feel a million times better than I did. Can you line someone up to look after DS a bit just in case as you will need rest.

Glad you don't feel too bad OP, my ear ache is still getting really sore. The other ear is starting to get quite painful
Ibuprofen also not touching my fever
Got a really dry cough upon waking up if I haven't drank anything in a while
Trying to rest but also got 4 kids and work ft which isn't fun 😫

Oh it's just miserable when you are a single parent.

I've had the jab and the doctor said this flu is really aggressive. When I last had the flu I couldn't even think.

It's good you've stocked up. Your little one can survive off snacks and water for a couple of days. When my DS was small and we were unwell he ate dippy eggs for lunch.

Lots of orange juice and other fluids will help. I hope you are both soon well.

I’m on day 5 of this ‘gift’ from my eldest son!! I bought a bulk supply of Olbas Oil patches for use at night - stick one on my pj’s each night and found it helps keeps my nose less bunged up and so able to get some sleep. Good luck.

I feel you… I’ve slowly watch most of the 19 we were skiing with over NY come down with it, plus a plane full of clearly sick people and todays it’s hit me.

tight chest, freezing and achy ankles, wretched cough. I wish I was more sympathetic to my husband last night now!!

DS 8 managed to kick it in a couple of days so I’m hoping I have that strength!

good luck

Dd got the flu, she was sick all weekend. Dh and I got the flu jab on Monday morning and mostly escaped it...even after nursing her all weekend. The pharmacist said you can still get the vaccine as long as you don't have a temp. I thought we would have already been infected but nope.

I feel the exact same way. Currently 35 weeks pregnant too 😩