Ill for 35 days now, headache, cough, fatigue

[Almostvegan51]

I've been ill since 28th of December, normally completely fit and well. I work full time, but have taken a week off work, then worked a week, had to take another 3 days off, then this week managed Monday and Tuesday, now day 2 at home again. I think because I'm so rarely ill, I've not been taking this seriously and just stayed away from work. I am eating practically vegan, very healthily and was taking echinacea and sambucol (high vitamin C content). What else can I do? If I try and do remotely what I normally do it sets me back.

I'm recovering from a hideous virus that hit me everywhere - earache / headache / nausea / vertigo / exhausted / temperature / runny nose. The first week I carried on as normal, but then just crashed. The only thing that has improved things for me is 2 weeks sick leave off work, lying on the sofa. Obviously it's not ideal, but I didn't feel safe driving and I wasn't eating or sleeping.

No advice, but same boat here. I got it on 13 December. I actually went to the doctor in desperation last week who diagnosed a secondary sinus infection, and gave me antibiotics and a steroid nasal spray, neither of which have helped much. I feel like I am never going to get rid of it.

I had three days off work sick, then a fortnight off for the Christmas holidays, but I can't take more time off now in terms of my job (teaching) and the repeated absence thing, as that would be two incidents of sickness in less than three months. I am sure if I could just get a decent sleep it would do me the world of good, but I wake up unable to breathe and coughing during the night.

The GP I saw said this winter's bugs are really vicious.

I am the only person I've come into contact with who has this 'thing', so partly I don't think anybody close to me 'gets' it, because it's quite non-specific and taking such a long time to get over. That's why I widened the net to see how other people have been getting on. Sorry to hear anybody is really unwell for a long time, and that certain working environments have such strict sickness policies, no-one chooses to be ill, I know I would much rather be at 'the coalface', doing my job and earning my pay. I suppose I just have to be patient with myself and do the best job I can to look after myself.

My sympathies @Almostvegan51 @CurbsideProphet @Judystilldreamsofhorses
I've had this horrible bug since before Xmas and I can't seem to shift it either - I feel run down and completely fed up with myself. i wake up feeling worn out every day despite sleeping fairly well

My cough is going but still lurking and I've got a headache that moves from one side of my head to the other -I think it's my sinuses
I feel nauseous if I have just 1 glass of wine at night - not good!

I'm taking paracetamol and ibuprofen and inhaling hot water with menthol crystals in it
I'm trying to eat healthily and I bought Floravital herbal tonic

I just want to add that I wouldn’t be in any trouble for being off sick, it just generates a meeting with HR and a discussion about “support”, and I do get full sick pay. But it’s not fair on my students, or on colleagues who have to cover classes on top of their own workloads. In reality you end up working from home anyway if you’re sick.

I’ve also had this horrible virus since the beginning of January. I thought it was getting over it and then lo and behold I’m hit by the most terrible chesty cough and flu type feelings again since last weekend. I’ve the double whammy of a heavy period at the same time , only finishing that yesterday after seven heavy days of bleeding. I am so fed up of feeling ill and wondering when I’m ever going to enjoy food again . My husband is at home with me today and he said that I should try to stop coughing as it will only make my throat worse . I told him that I have to cough as my chest is congested and I have to clear the airways as it is a productive cough . Surely it will only get worse if I don’t clear the infection. I’m obviously getting on his nerves, but I really can’t help being ill

I feel like I am coming down with a fresh bout. How is it possible for a cold to last so long? Is it multiple doses because one’s immune system is low?