Flu recovery - is it time to get back to normal life?

[MrsCornelius]

Hi all, I’ve had this awful flu bug that’s going round, on and off now for a month.
Symptoms shifted through fever + massive sneezing + streaming watery cold to aches and pains and fatigue and are now largely settled at flat out exhaustion, cough, diarrhoea, vague nausea and a sort of spaced out “not really here” feeling. Am on antibiotics and inhaler for suspected chest infection. Doc says to “follow what my body needs” 🤷🏼‍♀️

My question is, having spent nearly a month “invaliding”, unable to get out of bed etc, is it time now to get up and try and get back to normal life? I feel I could just stay in bed forever now, totally energiless and flat and frankly, pretty depressed ☹️
But not sure if it’s my body telling me I need to rest or if my mind’s just given up trying 😰
Anyone got any helpful advice? Or experience of dealing with this never ending bug and slow recovery?
🙏🏼

That flat feeling suggests it's time to try

I'd recommend getting a bit of fresh air and taking it from there

I don’t think it’s a good idea to go straight back into normal life but why don’t you try going for a short walk. Just ten minutes wrapped up warm in the fresh air and try and increase it by 5 mins a day?
I’ve had a nasty bug for the last week. I’ve not been really ill but have been very under the weather and haven’t slept properly. It’s left me feeling very flat, tired and a bit teary to be honest. I’m going out for a walk this morning to try and blow a few cobwebs away. My legs feel like lead so I’ll not go far but even 20 mins around the block will be something.

You should try going for short walks, ideally in sunshine if it pops out.

I've had flu twice and it took at least 6 weeks to feel anywhere near like doing anything and even then it was slow going. Start slowly and get some fresh air but just a 10 min walk and build it up. Floridex tonic is excellent after flu.

Thanks for the replies - I did an hours gentle housework (put on and hung out a wash, changed bedding, wiped down bathroom) and am absolutely flattened and back in bed 😩

Well that's fine - recovery will take a while

Still think you should be excused housework until you are a fair bit better

I wouldn't describe that as gentle house work especially not changing the bed. You need to factor in daily naps/ rests and do the minimum for a bit and not be impatient with your recovery. There's a reason people used to go to the seaside for recovery.