Is this the flu? I’ve never had a cold like this

[SadlyNotATroll]

Started feeling unwell Tuesday evening with a sore throat, aches and pains etc. Wednesday morning literally couldn’t get out of bed. It’s now Saturday night and I feel no better, worse if anything. The only time I feel remotely human is when I’m in the bath. I’m in bed shivering, bunged up, hacking cough, shooting pains in back and stomach, feel sick, diarrhoea. I have a huge week at work next week, specifically Tuesday & Wednesday that I can’t miss. Am I screwed?

Sounds like COVID.

Does sound like flu 🤧.

I do get covid really badly when I get it, but not everyone does and the big difference for me with covid is the inability to smell taste anything properly, regardless of being snotty and the absolutely bagging headpain which I don't normally get with colds or flu.

It definitely could be. I’ve had Covid twice before but it was just a rubbish couple of days. This is now going into day 6 and only seems to be getting worse. Misery. Thanks for replying!

Same here. I’ve never been so ill. Day 7 here and I’m no better. Considering putting my mother into respite care because I don’t know if I can continue like this. I’ve had nosebleeds with it. This morning I had a nosebleed while throwing up. It’s horrific.

Genuinely I think you should find someone to cover for you at work. I certainly wouldn’t be able to do anything important right now. Feels like it’s going to take ages to get well.

Could be the flu, could certainly be covid, my dh had exactly these symptoms, took about 8/9 days to start improving.

I had similar in October. It took 4 weeks to go. It was awful. Don't know if it was covid or just flu.

I kept thinking I was improving and id relapse. My dd was the same.

I’ve been comparatively unlucky with flu compared to many I know, who have never had it, but having it four times. It’s always the same for me. It starts with a fever, sore throat and absolute exhaustion (rolling over in bed is impossible, let alone anything else), then progresses to an awful cough that lasts for ages followed by real fatigue and loss of fitness.

I’d be more inclined to think you have covid. However, regardless of what it is, you need to treat the symptoms and look after yourself. I hope you feel better soon.

Statistically, it’s very likely to be flu at the moment as there is more flu about than anything else. Covid numbers are low at the moment.

Yes flu. I had it in April- never been as poorly. Couldn’t even watch telly / look at my phone I was so poorly. First time I’ve ever had it .

This is a bad year for flu apparently. Flu also comes on suddenly so it certainly sounds like that could be what it is. I've only had flu once but it took me 2 weeks to get over it. I think you need to plan for not working next week I'm afraid

My DH was sick as a dog for a few days last week think he was in bed 2 and then needed naps the next two. He's still coughing now.
Ds also was ill with coughs runny nose headache and temperature for 4/5 days
Neither tested positive for COVID (we keep tests due to vulnerable family members)

I have covid, came home from playing sport on Wednesday and could barely walk a couple of hours later. Just sheer exhaustion, horrible throat and banging head. I got up today for a few hours but am back in bed again. Feeling better slowly. Lots of covid around here . . . sth-east.

@SadlyNotATroll have you been able to eat and/or drink a cup of tea, etc.?

I have had full blown influenza and was very poorly for about 8 days. I couldn't look after the children, get to the loo without help for a couple of days and my temp went so high I was delirious and dh called the doctor. I.lost 11lb.

Covid kept me in bed for two days and I could drink and eat lightly. No comparison.

I had something horrible last month, honestly thought it was covid or flu, it was neither (I tested).

covid. Exact same symptoms here. 50 kids were sent home from DC school on Wednesday. Spreading like wildfire and symptoms worse than any I had before

Yep evening of day one here, DH had it last week and still isn’t well- daytime naps yesterday and today for several hours which is unheard of. Chest is on fire as is my throat and sinuses, came on out of the blue on waking this morning.
The way I feel right now makes me want to say if I don’t post again you’ll know it killed me

Can I ask if any of you have had the flu jab? The last time I had one was winter 2023 when I was immunocompromised. I'm travelling to the UK for Christmas and I'm worried about picking this up.

Can you test for flu now?!

I bought a test from Amazon. I hadn’t realised. No idea how reliable though!

Wow, I didn’t realise either.

You can test for flu A and B currently. I have some tests I got from Amazon. Some tests also test for covid in the same test but they are expensive.

I test as have a very vulnerable family member.

My DS and his GF were both ill last month, he has asthma, so GP prescribed antibiotics and new inhaler, no better after a week, so tested for Covid and was positive, his GF was negative. He’s now on 8 weeks of steroids, he was quite bad and seems to be picking up any virus going at the moment. I always say, if you can’t get out of bed without help and have muscle aches along with cold symptoms, then it’s likely to be flu.

I tested because like the OP I also had an important forthcoming commitment, and was hoping for a definitive self diagnosis, which would perhaps help forward plan a bit. I bought pack of 2 I think about £10. As @ChipDaleRescueRangers said, it’s Influenza A/B rapid test. I only noticed them as I was buying Covid tests.

Thanks all. Somehow I feel even worse today. My legs aren’t working (they are really but they feel like they’re encased in concrete) and I can only lie here and cry. I’ve ordered a flu/covid joint test from Amazon. Can’t believe this has come at the most important time of my career all year. I’ve literally been working for months on this thing next week.