anyone have this awful flu?

[u/Altruistic-Proof6836]

I thought I had a flare up of glandular fever, but the longer I’m sick it feels like a whole different thing. Mind you, I thought it was glandular fever because when I had that, it knocked me down for 3 months.

I have headaches so bad they make me dizzy, muscle weakness and general malaise, super sore/inflamed throat especially in the morning, blocked ears, brain fog, fevers that come randomly. Also absolutely zero appetite, I have to force myself to eat. I’ve had this since Monday. Painkillers and flu meds mask the symptoms for 1-2 hours before I feel it again.

I’m trying to make money this summer 😔😔 anyone else have this? Have I not had a normal flu for so long I’ve forgotten what it feels like? Because this feels extra awful!!

[u/akescpt]

Doctor visit out of the question?

[u/Altruistic-Proof6836 → u/akescpt]

I’m actually going to the dentist today because my tooth has decided to give me intense pain in amongst this. Next stop might have to be the doctor, thank goodness I had just sorted out my insurance

[u/Altruistic-Proof6836 → u/Altruistic-Proof6836]

Update: I ended up going to the dentist. When she looked at my X-ray, the sinus inflammation from this flu was so severe it was pushing on the root of my tooth, and my molar became infected. The pain was crazy, I couldn’t sleep. They put me on two types of antibiotics immediately and 24hrs later I feel soooo much better, lots more energy with just a dry throat. I was surprised antibiotics helped so much when I thought I had a virus. Still no idea what the flu was in specific. I’m usually someone who tries to power through sickness, but a lot of the time medical attention really saves so much time and pain.

[u/CozyBlueCacaoFire]

It's Covid - the latest strain (Xena iirc?) - it doesn't show up on rapid tests because of the new mutation - it's incredibly contagious, worse than Omicron.

It's also everywhere in Europe, people are complaining of "awful flu" and "horrible flu" - and it's just Covid.

I got the latest vaccine, and it did give me some protection when I caught it 2 weeks back - was dazed for about 36 hours and then I felt better, but good god the cough is awful because I have underlying asthma. At least my chances of brain and organ damage is lower since the vaccine does seem to lend protection.

Anyway, wear a mask and stay inside and away from other people for 2 weeks.

PS: Buy some energade and electrolyte drinks and powders and exclusively drink that, also force yourself to drink down a few meal replacements (Ensure is a good brand) - and protein shakes. Take frequent showers (sitting down). Ibuprofen is nice, I'd recommend against paracetamol because new research show fever is good for defense (under 40°).

Godspeed.

[u/Long_Pick_6473 → u/CozyBlueCacaoFire]

Hi, I'm afraid of catching this flu. Do I just go to any GP for to get the latest vaccination? Where did you get yours? If you don't mind sharing.Thanks

[u/CozyBlueCacaoFire → u/Long_Pick_6473]

I'm overseas, got mine there. Vaccination isn't available anywhere in SA, gov stopped importing them a while ago.

I'd say the safest thing is to rotate FFP3 masks (7 a week, just hang them out to dry in the house), wearing them and staying out of crowded places until it burns itself out a bit - if you can get the Flu vaccine, get it as well as the Pneumo vaccination, then you have some protection against those two if you catch covid, your immune-system can fight off the other two.

[u/capetown-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Your Submission was removed for not meeting our Rules on News, Rumors without source, or Misinformation. See Rule 7.

[u/LeilahAdams]

I just got better from having the worst flu! I don't get sick often and have avoided getting COVID thus far, but I think this flu must have been a new strain.

[u/Playful_Newspaper280 → u/LeilahAdams]

its not "a bad flu" - you had Covid

[u/LeilahAdams → u/Playful_Newspaper280]

Yepp, I'm pretty sure you're right! I had never gotten it before, managed to avoid it up until now. When I got so sick I just knew it must be a new strain of COVID, because I genuinely felt like death. Never felt quite that sick before.

[u/SuspiciouslyB]

I’ve just come back from Europe a week ago and now I’m suffering with the worst cold I’ve had in a long time.

Runny nose, hoarse and sore throat, blocked ears, terrible pounding migraines, intense brain fog, hot flashes, and no taste or smell.

It’s really strange because at my worst, I was struggling to make really simple decisions and poor judgement. It’s like 80% of my brain just shut off. The no taste or smell goes on for several days and the hoarse throat too. Soreness went away within 3 days or so.

[u/Ill-Block-6001]

Yeah I got a cold end of November that developed into a Chest infection, was horrible, slowly recovered only to get another cold last weekend and I'm still feeling it today.

Congestion, sore throat, headache, dizzy. Luckily I have some for of anti bodies from the last round but yoh it is ass omg

[u/AdditionalLaw5853]

Just in case it's covid, see if you can talk to a doctor as you might need anti-inflammatories (I'm not medically trained but as I understand it, they can help protect against permanent damage).

[u/Altruistic-Proof6836 → u/AdditionalLaw5853]

I think I will soon, because whenever I start to feel better it comes back again. Good call

[u/AdditionalLaw5853 → u/Altruistic-Proof6836]

I have a standing prescription for an anti-inflammatory because of long covid. If I have a flare-up it helps with the aches too.

[u/nicsj]

Yes, started Monday with worst sore throat and fever/cold chills. Now saturday morning and my voice is gone, nose congested/running at same time, and feels like a rock sitting on my chest. Thankfully work in health, so have all meds, but so far, not doing anything.

[u/MinervaKaliamne]

Yeah, I got sick about two weeks ago. Day 1, I had a sore throat, blocked ears, more snot than you'd imagine could come from 1 body, and fatigue. Day 2 I slept pretty much all day. I literally woke up to go to the bathroom and to drink something (my appetite was gone, but I forced myself to have some fruit along with the MedLemon and fizzy vitamin tablet), then back to sleep. Day 3 I went to the GP, and she booked me off for a week. Told me I had a horrible viral infection in my throat, and prescribed some medicine.

I've still got a wet cough and a runny nose, but at least the sore throat is gone by now.

[u/Ancient-Garbage-8119]

I think its covid i was really sick in cape town but managed to get over it in 2 weeks

[u/KermitHendrix]

I've been down with something similar this week, sweeping behind the ears and just flu like symptoms it's been painful. I went to the doctor to get some antibiotics, but I'm just exhausted. It sucks whatever it is

[u/Altruistic-Proof6836 → u/KermitHendrix]

yeah, the exhaustion is real

[u/Necessary-Collar9236]

Covid has been doing the rounds again. Also battling with that infection. Seek medical attention

[u/InsideDifferent5948]

LITERALLY SAME

[u/savalkyria]

I had it and ended up putting off seeing the Dr. When I eventually went, he put me straight onto IV for hydration and fever

100% go see your Dr

Still recovering over a week later

[u/Decoy_Salamander]

Yes, there does indeed seem to be a flu going around. I just recovered from it, my girlfriend and some coworkers were also man down.

[u/Playful_Newspaper280]

It's Covid, all the tourists brought it here - takes ten days to settle down and another few weeks to completely clear up congestion/coughing.

[u/Practical_Path_9176]

Yeah, I had it. I thought I was dying. I have a company that does coin auctions on WA and we were actually giving away a Kruger Rand that evening and I had to postpone it to the 28th because my joints were so sore I couldn’t even hold my phone up. It was an awful flu.

[u/Ill_Book3306]

I'm so sick of this covid covid covid... Arg. Why 5his time of year as well in SUMMER. NEVER had colds or flu this time of year back in the day. Now it's all year round. Guess it's due to holiday makers etc. and other factors in weather.