Have I got the 'flu?

[Birnamwood]

I've come down with a high temp (40 degrees), aches and pains all over, really, really sore throat, I keep going hot and cold and I'm absolutely knackered. Is this flu? I've never had it before and any tips on coping with it will be gratefully appreciated :) I'm still ebf ds2 4 mths so tonight should be fun...

Yes, it sounds like the flu.

Honey and lemon drinks, Paracetamol and get as much rest as you can.

Hope you feel better soon

oh poor you :(

flu tend to come on quicker than a cold.

You might however have "just" a bad virus and throat infection.

I've had flu a few times and so has DH- he is still suffering complications from last year's flu, a year ago.

If you have REAL flu it's unlikely you could get out of bed- and use a pc!

It's often accompanied with severe headache, aching limbs and all over weakness.

When I've had flu I ached all over and had pains even in my hands and fingers.

No way could I eat or get out of bed.

Hope you feel better.

I think you'd be unlikely to be posting online if you had proper flu. When I had it a few years back it came on hard and fast. First thing in the morning I felt a bit iffy and by 10am I collapsed on the bedroom floor trying to get to the bathroom to puke, then spent three or four days wishing I would just die to make the pain go away I couldn't eat for several days because of the sore throat and lost at least a stone in weight.

There's a tried and tested way to know if you've got flu, btw.

You see a fifty pound note in the garden. If you get up to grab it you haven't got flu

It could be tonsillitis. Judging by the sore throat, probably not mastitis though I'd have suggested that if not.

Are you taking any meds for the temp? You can take paracetamol and ibuprofen if you are breastfeeding. Might make you more comfortable.

Agree with scoundrel! I had it a few years ago now and I'll never forget it. I couldn't do anything, literally, and I didn't care about anything or anyone either. For weeks. Awful disease.

Poor you OP, as others say, go to bed if you can and do nothing. Let others help. I feel for you as you are bf your ds, which is doable with others around to help. Paracetamol is OK, plenty of fluids, the phone by your side and a stick to bang on the bedroom floor. Sorry for the assumptions there...

Thanks everyone. I probably just have a virus then as if a £50 note miraculously appeared in the garden I'd be right out there I still feel awful today And still have a high temp but have managed to rest a bit this afternoon as dp took ds1 out and mum had ds2 for the afternoon. Thankfully I've been able to express this time round and have a freezer full of milk. I wondered about mastitis too but my boobs don't hurt and ds2 is still feeding well.

Just a thought- will he be less likely to get this virus if he's getting antibodies from me? I would hate for him to get it :(

Flu comes on pretty instantly. 3pm you can be fine by 6pm you are in bed feeling like death.

Flu makes you drained to the point negotiating yourself from bed to loo for a wee is like climbing everest. You feel so crap you actually start to consider (if you can be arsed to actually think) that death might not be all that bad.

I am 39 and had real flu 3 x in my life. Its awful.

I've just been to the doctors and I've got pharyngitis. A quick google shows I've got all the classic symptoms - high fever, aches and pains, hot and cold sweats. Got some ab's so I'll hopefully start feeling better soon. I'm so glad it's not the flu, from what you all describe it must be excruciating! (I also did wonder if it was possible for me to have it as I had the flu jab when I was pg)

Hope you feel better soon op. I struggled through something similar with my ds of a few month old, and was bfing, just do the basics for now and try to get as much rest and accept help where it is offered.