Illness and travel for an important work event

[Zigzagga]

I have been struck down with a horrific virus / flu and have been in bed since last Saturday and not in work this week.

This is really unlike me (very much a lemsip and carry on gal) but I cannot explain how poorly I am. I have lost 8lb in a week and still have all the symptoms going, although chills and shakes have cleared up but now I am convinced I have a sinus infection.

It must be flu or COVID because if someone had come in my room and wafted £1k in my face to get out of bed, I couldn't have. Today I tried to strip my bed, got a severe headache and nausea bout and had to lie down and fell asleep for 3 hours.

Anyway.

The end of next week I am due to travel long haul for work for a week, to run an event I've organised. It's quite an important event. It's been very stressful in the run up. But there are others going who could step up and run it in my absence.

If I still feel like I do now, I genuinely could not get on the plane I think.

Whilst I know I have a good four days to get over the worst of this before I decide anything, I've never been in this situation before.

If I'm still feeling awful at the start of next week so I warn work, get a doctor's note? Will a doctor give me a note?

Sounds awful. Any reason you didn't order covid tests online when you first got ill to check? Have you lost weight from lack of eating or do you have D&V also? try to keep you fluids up and sleep if you need to.
I found this info about a fit note. It says a pharmacist can complete it, so might be an option if you can't see your GP.
https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/caring-carers-and-long-term-conditions/can-i-get-a-fit-note-without-seeing-a-healthcare-professional/

It is awful - a bit of D, no V. Just because I'm barely eating. My husband had it before me, also put of work for a week and a few weekends, he tested and negative and a few people at his work had it too, negative - so we think it's a flu.

That's useful - so I know I can technically get one - it's more AIBU to get one and not do the work event? That's what I'm struggling with.

If you're not fit enough for work on Monday you will need a Fit note from the Dr anyway because you can only self certify for first week.
It's highly likely the GP will give you a note for one week so that will write off you being able to go to the work event in any case.
No company is going to want to send someone who's travelling against medical advice for insurance purposes.

Even if the other symptoms resolve themselves you won't be able to just bounce back up immediately.
After being in bed for a week you will be exhausted as soon as you start trying to get up and about. Quite mundane things like making a sandwich or having a shower will probably mean having to sit down for a bit.

You might make it to the event but you'll be fit for nothing when you get there. Don't do it and don't worry about it, these things happen. If you make the decision now they will have plenty of time to prepare plan b.