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Original poster

How long does it take to recover from the flu?

20 replies

rustyunicorn · 14/12/2016 10:30

So Ive been really unwell with a flu-like thing since last Friday. I've had a high temperature, hot/cold, achy all over, very tired and a hacking cough and lost my voice. I have spent that last 5 days in pj's and on the sofa, sleeping mostly. Today I feel a bit better but I feel so exhausted and weak (had to take a rest after doing the washing-up ffs!) and still have a slight temperature every now and then. Also I still have the hacking cough.

Any idea how long it usually takes to recover from this type of virus?

OP posts:
RoseDore · 14/12/2016 10:38

2 to 3 weeks if it is proper flu.

80sWaistcoat · 14/12/2016 10:47

I had 'proper' flu and it took months to properly get over. I was still tired and lacking in energy about 3 months later. If you get one like that there's nothing much you can do except be kind to yourself and recognise its going to be a long one....

Original poster
rustyunicorn · 14/12/2016 10:47

Oh great :(

OP posts:
Original poster
rustyunicorn · 14/12/2016 10:48

Think I should get myself some of that build up tonic stuff.

OP posts:
SpuriouserAndSpuriouser · 14/12/2016 10:52

It can take a couple of weeks to fully recover from the flu, it can really knock you for six.

I know it's easier said than done (especially at this time of year) but don't think you should be rushing to get up and push through, you will recover faster if you rest enough. Try to eat well too, that will also help. Hope you feel better soon Flowers

aginghippy · 14/12/2016 11:11

Don't try to do too much! As pp says, you recover faster if you get enough rest. Time and rest are what you need.

I had 'proper' flu, couldn't get out of bed for a week and was off work for 3 weeks in total.

Hope you are feeling better soon Flowers

Original poster
rustyunicorn · 14/12/2016 11:29

Thanks all - I am a dog walker so its going to be really hard getting back to walking for several hours a day but will just take it day by day I suppose.

OP posts:
Allfurcoatandnoknickers · 14/12/2016 21:19

Well RustyUnicorn that could almost be me writing that post. I'm self employed working for a Christmas charity so in terms of timing it's as bad as it gets! I started last Wednesday feeling coldy, took the dogs out in cold wind for about half an hour, crawled into bed and have just started to move about. I was also wondering how long it takes- I had flu for around two weeks last time ten years ago, I think you've just got to say no as much as you can(!) rope in whatever help you can and pace yourself. I think sadly that it will be the cough that goes on with this one, it's horrible

lougle · 14/12/2016 21:38

Genuine Influenza flu, rather than 'a cold that made me feel bad', can take months to recover from. But it depends on whether you get associated pneumonia, or whether you have preexisting conditions which are worsened by the flu.

Allfurcoatandnoknickers · 17/12/2016 09:07

Just wondering if anyone else got this flu bug - day 10 here, horrible cough, high spiking temps. I'm very slowly starting to get a slight appetite back. Just wanting to compare timelines!

ItMustBeBedtimeSurely · 17/12/2016 09:09

About 2 weeks to feel normal-ish, but tbh another 2 months to get my energy levels back properly.

There's not much you can do about it except rest. I went to bed at 9pm every night for weeks. It does get better though.

Allfurcoatandnoknickers · 17/12/2016 10:11

Ok just got to sit it out- I think once my temp and appetite get back to normal should start to improve

Sweepingchange · 17/12/2016 10:19

We've all had "proper" flu here. Dd has had it for three weeks and is up and about but still very much under par. Dh was hospitalised briefly with it because it made his heart rate go a bit funny (he's fine now, had tests erc, but hasn't recovered properly because he never stops working). And I'm on week two and better than I was, but still v weak and tired. I went to the doc yesterday who said give it at least another week to ten days to recover properly because it's a nasty strain.

Sweepingchange · 17/12/2016 10:25

Sorry, meant to say, hope you recover soon op. It must be hard when you have such an energetic job but try and give yourself time to get better properly!

Could you dog sit for a bit over Christmas instead of dog walking? I reckon lots of owners would be grateful for some dog free time at the moment to go out shopping/visit relatives/get the house in order, and it might be a good way of you recovering more gently?

ChuckGravestones · 17/12/2016 10:27

I remember after having flu last time, when I was gardening for a living. I could barely lift a bag of compost that I usually hoik up with no problems. I had to carry one down an alley and was nearly on my knees at the end. The rest I cut in half and transferred into buckets a half bucket at a time.

And that was around 4 weeks after getting 'better' - after 2 weeks in bed.

MollyHuaCha · 17/12/2016 10:40

How long to recover depends on a few things:

StarYour level of health and fitness before you got flu - being young, very fit, well nourished, no chronic conditions etc. will mean you recover more quickly

StarWhether you are allowed to rest properly whilst the flu is at its worst.

StarWhether it's real flu or just a heavy cold.

StarLastly, luck - some people develop secondary infections.

Get well soon, anyone with flu SmileFlowers

Allfurcoatandnoknickers · 17/12/2016 13:18

Thanks reassuring to know not alone. This has absolutely been full blown flu- I last had it ten years ago and think it took around two weeks before started to feel anything like back to normal. I also have pots and that can make recovery from anything a little bit longer....

Original poster
rustyunicorn · 20/12/2016 09:11

Thanks all - sure it was the full blown version, have not felt that rough in a long time. Spend Saturday in A&E!! I'd coughed up some blood and rung NHS 111 for advice but because I'd had a 'suspected' blood clot 11 years ago when pregnant with ds they advised that I attend A&E within the hour!! Anyhow, after lots of test, chest xrays extra all seemed ok, the hacking cough I have been left with must have caused a bit of trauma to the lining of my throat.

GP put me on Doxyciliin last week which I'm still taking. Yesterday back to dog walking and did I feel weak!! Also feel really down but I remember getting the flu 15 years ago and feeling weak and miserable for weeks after!

OP posts:
Sweepingchange · 20/12/2016 14:08

Oh you poor thing Rusty my dh was also hospitalised with it briefly with it like you.

I hope you are beginning to feel better now.

I hate to say it but we have been left very depleted of energy and dd's glands are up again today [sigh]

It's a very nasty strain this one.

And not easy to rest properly in the run up to Christmas. Hope you can take it a bit steady though Flowers

Skydancer555 · 05/03/2018 14:32

Started with a slight cough 2 weeks ago. Didn’t think much of it. But 24 hours later sudden high temperature and sudden exhaustion. Cough much worse. Literally stumbled up to bed where I remained, mostly asleep, for the next 4 or 5 days. Also had episodes of diarrhoea and nausea. I have improved over the past week but still feel dreadful with no energy whatsoever and no appetite. The cough and temperature have gone. I’m no longer sleeping all the time but I still can’t do anything. A drive out to the supermarket is an ordeal and I have to lie down when I get home. One of the worst things about this is that you feel better for a few hours and the next day you’re back to square one. I must have lost a lot of weight. The worst thing I’ve had previously was shingles. That was truly miserable. But this flu is worse. Guess I’m in it for a few weeks yet judged by the other posts.

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