Flu - do I go back to work yet?

[EightToSixer]

Hi
I've had flu for the last 13 days, proper full on flu, I didn't get out of bed for the best part of a week then went to GP last Monday to check that my ear wasn't infected as it was so painful. It wasn't, it's just that my glands and sinuses were so swollen they were putting pressure on ear canal. Dr signed me off for a week.
My sick note runs out tomorrow so I should go to work tomorrow, but I still feel awful. All I've managed to do this weekend is have a bath each day, I've been too exhausted to do anything after that and I'm still falling asleep every time I sit down for a while, so I imagine I'm still fluey.

It feels silly to go to my Dr again for a sick note as is a waste of their time, and my job is desk based at the moment so not physically strenuous, but I just don't know if to should go in or whether it would set me back. My main symptoms are still aches everywhere, sleepiness, short of breath, swollen throat, sinuses and ears.

So in short, how do you know when you're well enough for work?

I wouldn't go back just yet there is nothing worse than being in work when you really would like to be in bed or at least on the settee taking it easy. Don't try to be a hero you won't get a medal! Look after yourself

It’s really not worth going back to work to soon - I did this earlier in the year with a virus only to be off again for another 6 weeks with a weird post flu complication. Rest up and take as long as you need!

Meant to read “Too soon”

Nope, you’re not ready. It’s not a waste of a GP’s time. They will assess you ands agree you’re still not fit and you can have a bit more time to recover.

Proper flu is exhausting. You may ‘only’ have an office job but you still have to get up, get to work, be there all day, think! and if you’re tired after a bath you’re not ready to go back yet. Make it your mission to see a GP tomorrow and spend the rest of the week watching box sets.

Thank you. I guess my tears at your comments and kindness reaffirm I'm not myself yet.
I'm not clear headed at all and my brain is my job (academic research) so you're probably right that I should wait until I'm stronger.
I'll phone GP tomorrow.

You probably won't have to go in, they can just extend your sick note, maybe after a phone chat. You're not well enough so stay off, hope you feel better soon

^^Good call OP? "Proper" flu is something else, from what you've written it doesn't sound like you're well enough to go back yet.

Good call. If you go back too soon, it'll be too much and you might end up getting a chest infection or some other complication.

Take it easy.

💐 definitely a good call.
Feel better soon