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Original poster

Can the flu be this bad? or Covid? Strep throat? Tonsillitis?

37 replies

Northerngal123 · 15/04/2022 11:42

I have been very unwell for the past 3 days. It started suddenly, first a little bit of a cough in the days before but I was able to go do an intense gym workout on Tuesday so it couldn’t have been that bad.

When I woke up on Wednesday morning I felt terrible. My lower back was extremely stiff and hurt and ached. In fact all my body muscles ached and I had a pounding headache. I also felt exhausted and fatigued but haven’t been able to sleep and have been having insomnia ever since then. I felt a bit of pressure and my chest was tight but I had also done a chest workout on Tuesday so it could have been that.

Then yesterday I started to get a worse cough and loss of appetite, as well as a really bad sore throat that seems to be getting worse. It hurts to swallow and is keeping me up. I also have a slight stuffy nose but no sneezing, and it’s very mildly blocked that I’m not even sure I could call it stuffy.

My eyes are dropping to sleep but I’m not being able to. I’ve taken paracetamol and a sore throat numbing spray but it’s not that much relief and is very temporary. I can’t walk and am just lying in bed due to fatigue, concentrating on something like watching tv takes too much energy and hurts my eyes and I’m supposed to be studying but it’s impossible.

The thing is other family members have had similar symptoms but not to this extent. My dad (40yrs old) had a cough and felt tired with body aches but he was still able to go on a 2 hour walk and go to work. I think it was no where near a bad as what I have now.

Similarly, my younger sister (12) had a cough and was sleeping more a week ago but still had a ton of energy to go out and play, go to school ect….

Now I was going to go to A&E today because the lack of sleep is really getting to me and I want a doctor’s opinion but I’ve realised it most likely is viral if my family have had similar symptoms, despite them being a lot more mild? I could just have reacted worse to it…

Or could it be something like bacterial tonsillitis or strep throat or pneumonia… in which case I would have to get antibiotics.

I actually happen to have penicillin at home from when the doctor gave me too much last year, but probably better not to take it for no reason. The local A&E is extremely busy and I am trying to weigh up If it is worth going today, and leaving my bed Sad

OP posts:
HermioneWeasley · 15/04/2022 11:45

You don’t need A&e. plenty of fluids - something like lucozade to get some calories in you. Bed rest and paracetamol.

LapinR0se · 15/04/2022 11:47

Flu

Anotherpassengerwantstogetoff · 15/04/2022 11:47

most likely is viral if my family have had similar symptoms, despite them being a lot more mild?

Or covid. The new list of symptoms include most of what you list. Colleagues have been absolutely floored with fatigue, muscle aches, headaches etc, despite being triple vaccinated.

Lack of sleep isn’t a reason to go to A&E though, regardless of how it’s getting to you.

DanglingMod · 15/04/2022 11:50

Probably Covid. Everyone I know who's had it in the last 3-4 weeks has had the most incredible sore throat, unable to swallow or sleep with it. Also total lack of energy.

You don't need A&E. Just keep drinking and get lots of rest.

Aworldofmyown · 15/04/2022 11:51

Do not go to A&E unless your symptoms are life threatening, ie unable to breathe.
You can always call 111 and see what they say but it sounds viral. Bed rest, fluids, paracetamol. Have you done a covid test?

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 15/04/2022 11:52

I’ve got Covid. It’s exactly as you describe.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 15/04/2022 11:53

Could be Covid, could be flu. When I had actual flu, 20 years ago, it put me in bed for a fortnight. Very similar symptoms to what you describe. Sane treatment though, rest, fluids, paracetamol.

Original poster
Northerngal123 · 15/04/2022 11:53

@Anotherpassengerwantstogetoff

most likely is viral if my family have had similar symptoms, despite them being a lot more mild?

Or covid. The new list of symptoms include most of what you list. Colleagues have been absolutely floored with fatigue, muscle aches, headaches etc, despite being triple vaccinated.

Lack of sleep isn’t a reason to go to A&E though, regardless of how it’s getting to you.

Ah thanks for bringing that up yes. It could definitely be covid, which I know can affect people very differently. I’ll check the new list of symptoms out now.

I am vaccinated and have had it two times in the past with no symptoms at all, so was a bit surprised but with new strains and everything it makes sense.

Was more considering A&E due to my local GP’s inadequacy at getting appointments and actually being seen. I thought if it could be a bacterial infection I would need to get checked out, as I’ve been to A&E in the past for tonsillitis where I’ve felt similar. But in that case no one else in my family was ill, so I would guess it’s viral.

OP posts:
FiveShelties · 15/04/2022 11:53

You cannot go to A&E for lack of sleep surely.

Drink lots of fluid, rest and look after yourself.

LittleOldLadies · 15/04/2022 11:54

Sounds just like COVID. If you are worried then you can call 111 but I don’t think going to A&E is necessary (and you’d probably be there for hours so may well feel a lot worse!)

Original poster
Northerngal123 · 15/04/2022 11:57

@IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads

Could be Covid, could be flu. When I had actual flu, 20 years ago, it put me in bed for a fortnight. Very similar symptoms to what you describe. Sane treatment though, rest, fluids, paracetamol.
I never really get ill so don’t have much to compare this to. It is certainly a lot worse than any colds I have ever had and the lack of a runny nose or sneezing and more symptoms below the neck makes me think you’re right, covid or flu.

I wanted to get a test done but they’re not free online anymore so I’m going to have to try and find a PCR where they’re not sold out.

My heart rate was 80bpm when I last checked and it’s normally about 60 so I know my body’s probably stressed under this whatever it is. I’m trying to drink lots of water, paracetamol has really helped with the aches and pain, and resting as much as I can. Thanks for the advice

OP posts:
Original poster
Northerngal123 · 15/04/2022 12:03

Just to edit my original post - I certainly wasn’t going to go to A&E for lack of sleep. I was more meaning I was starting to think if it is a bacterial infection that will only clear with antibiotics I don’t want to put up with it, and the insomnia, for many more weeks and that was the last straw making me consider A&E.

But I have a gut feeling it is more viral and my family have just recovered very quickly for some reason. Especially with the other posters here saying it sounds like covid or flu.

OP posts:
Original poster
Northerngal123 · 15/04/2022 12:09

@LittleOldLadies

Sounds just like COVID. If you are worried then you can call 111 but I don’t think going to A&E is necessary (and you’d probably be there for hours so may well feel a lot worse!)
Yes, I’m starting to think it is covid now. Lateral flow tests won’t work now I have symptoms will they? I’ll do one until I can get a PCR and still consider that I could have covid even if it is negative in case it’s false.

True, as all the gp’s are closed today I would probably have to wait there a long time. Once I went to A&E and actually ended up catching something else! Confused

OP posts:
mrziggycoco · 15/04/2022 12:09

"flu" back when I was growing up (I'm 40) was marked by a "cold" that turned severe, a week in bed, cannot move, no energy, cannot eat, everything aches, feel like dying.

Yes, it can be that bad. It was for me right up until about ten years ago when I noted it would get very bad but last a lot less time.

No test for influenza virus was ever taken nor doctor seen. You just suffered in bed until it passed.

I've not had it in the past ten years, I'm much healthier now. I was surprised by how bad things can be throughout my life, I literally thought I was dying the first time I had a stomach bug.

LittleOldLadies · 15/04/2022 12:11

Yes a lateral flow will still show a positive result if you have it. If you have any tests then I'd suggest doing one.

ImanAccountant · 15/04/2022 12:17

Lateral flow tests absolutely do work

wonkygorgeous · 15/04/2022 12:19

It sounds exactly like omicron.

All your symptoms match so does the time frame. We've all had it this week.

Do you have a lateral flow test?

wonkygorgeous · 15/04/2022 12:19

Our lateral flow tests were all, and still are, positive.

Bagelsandbrie · 15/04/2022 12:22

If it’s bacterial tonsillitis you should be able to see white pus / spots on your tonsils. Have a look, do you have any of those? If you do you’ll need antibiotics. Ring 111 and they’ll be able to prescribe some and send the prescription through to your nearest open pharmacy. (Literally just did this with dd aged 19).

Original poster
Northerngal123 · 15/04/2022 12:24

Thank you everyone for letting me know that. I have managed to find some LFT and am doing one now. I’ll reply back on here with the results

I do have a feeling it’s either covid or flu, and I just underestimated how bad flu is

OP posts:
SpringRainbow · 15/04/2022 12:31

Yes, flu can show these exact same symptoms but then so can Covid and a number of other different viruses.

Unfortunately, they all present similarly which is why it’s been so hard to pin point Covid and we have (up until now) had to rely on tests.

However, at this moment in time there isn’t really much A&E can/ will do for you since it’s only been a few days.

You will just need to rest, drink, and continue to monitor yourself.

Original poster
Northerngal123 · 15/04/2022 12:33

This is positive?

Can the flu be this bad? or Covid? Strep throat? Tonsillitis?
Can the flu be this bad? or Covid? Strep throat? Tonsillitis?
OP posts:
LapinR0se · 15/04/2022 12:34

Yes that is a positive test

SpringRainbow · 15/04/2022 12:34

If you do want a medical opinion then I would suggest 111 rather than taking yourself to A&E.

You really don’t want to get out of bed and leave the house unless you have to if you are feeling so unwell.

SpringRainbow · 15/04/2022 12:34

Yes that looks positive to me.