Phlegmy flu
Question
A few weeks ago I got a really bad fever and was feeling absolutely terrible. I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with Influenza Type B. I was given five days worth of pills and spent the next week feeling awful in bed.
I seemed to have got better but suddenly I've started to feel terrible again. I'm getting lots of phlegm, aches everywhere and an agonising pain in my chest. Is this a normal part of recovery process or am I getting another infection?
Answer
With Type B Influenza (flu) you're likely to experience more acute symptoms than with Type C, the most common form of flu, but it's not the most severe type (which is Type A).
Flu can leave you feeling very run down, with symptoms of fatigue persisting for a couple of weeks afterwards. But a bad case of the flu can lead to more serious conditions, the most common being a 'secondary' bacterial chest infection. Occasionally, this can develop into pneumonia. Pneumonia usually starts with a cough and phlegm, which may be orangey-red in colour. These symptoms can be accompanied by fever and chest pains and may lead to breathing difficulties.
As you're feeling worse it's important that you to visit your local doctor (GP). Your doctor will be able to tell you exactly what is wrong and inform you of the best course of action.
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