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

[Northerngal123]

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

It sounds exactly like flu or covid. Tbh I'm actually so surprised your family has had symptoms and you've posted here before doing a lateral flow. You should be testing the first day anyone gets symptoms - not going to the gym!

@LapinR0se

Yes that is a positive test

Thanks it’s got even clearer now there’s a definite second line… no wonder I’m feeling so bad… now I’ll try browse these forums for the best ways to deal with it whilst you sit it out

@CallMeNutribullet

It sounds exactly like flu or covid. Tbh I'm actually so surprised your family has had symptoms and you've posted here before doing a lateral flow. You should be testing the first day anyone gets symptoms - not going to the gym!

We have a home gym… otherwise I wouldn’t not have gone to a public place where I could infect others. Was still forced to go to college though after ringing the attendance office, as they said it’s important to come in before exams next month and you aren’t ill yourself, only your family. The covid tests have been scrapped at my college unless you have symptoms yourself.

@Northerngal123

This is positive?

Yes that's a positive test. Hope you feel better soon OP. At least you know what it is.

Thanks for confirming it. I’ve never done the home tests before myself so didn’t know how faint of a line counts. Glad I know what it is, I was surprised someone my age (18) would be so ill with it but I’ve seen teens get hospitalised so makes sense she doesn’t mean everything

Appreciate the well wishes I’ll be taking it easy as much as possible until I feel better

Sorry to hear it's not mild for you this time. Lots of paracetamol, fluids and resting. Even if your just dozing upright in front of the TV it will be doing you good. Take some vitamins or soup if you can.

Good news is the worst of it should pass soon. But do keep on trying to take something nutritious on board even if just tiny sips now and then.

Slightly astonished that it being Covid wasn’t obvious…

I had the flu aged 20 and it was just as you describe. I had two weeks off work and was sent home early on the first day back as I didn't have the strength to stand upright. I couldn't even wear clothes in bed as my skin was so sensitive the movement o fabric felt painful.

I get so annoyed at my dad who declares he has a 3 day flu whenever he has a cold
Stay in your bed
Drink warm drinks, warm the air around you (helped me with sore throat) and don't expect to feel better for a week

It definitely sounds like a viral cold! Flu or strep throat would absolutely floor you.

Also astonished you hadn't done a home test before!!! Didn't school/uni/work require them? Entrance to events?

Do please report your positive test result @Northerngal123

people are declaring that cases are dropping, when the fact is, people just either aren’t testing -such as in the case of your family-or aren’t reporting positive results! Maybe your dad should let his colleagues know he likely had it in case any of them have vulnerable family members?

At least now you know why you feel so awful, I know several people who’ve felt really poorly with it recently. I hope you feel better soon

www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result

In the meantime, OP's dad and sister have been happily spreading it about. I despair.