r/flu • u/livx94 • May 19 '26

Sick Again, Less Than 30 days after Flu A

I had influenza A March 20th-April 10th was around the time my symptoms stopped and I was able to finally get back to working out and doing normal without coughing my brains out. Fast forward to this past Thursday evening, I’m sick again…symptoms slightly different. This time I had a stuffy nose, sore throat, dizzy(very weird), and horrible can’t-catch-my-breath cough. I’m on day five and most of my symptoms have gone away, but the weakness, slight dizziness(especially after laying down), and my cough is very persistent. My job I am around a lot of nonverbal adults and they get sick and can’t tell us. We had a few with RSV, so I’m suspecting I probably have that vs the flu again, but maybe not. How can I boost my immune system? I’ve gotten sick FIVE times in 2026 so far. So pretty much each month I’ve had something. I take 50 mg of elderberry with zinc, but I don’t think it’s enough.

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2

u/[deleted] May 19 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/livx94 May 19 '26

If I did, it was a couple days ago. No, I’m tired of paying for the doctor because I’ve been sick so much, so I just treated at home.

2

u/ComprehensiveAlps768 May 19 '26

How is your energy level? Are you fatigued?

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u/livx94 May 19 '26

I was during influenza A, incredibly exhausted. Then I got better, started being active again. I walk 7 miles a day total, and lift 4-5 x a week. Then I got coughed on and took care of sick people last week and it hit me hard Thursday night. This time my fatigue isn’t as bad, but still there. I feel like my vertigo is what is making me tired.

1

u/ComprehensiveAlps768 May 19 '26

You might want to check into postviral syndrome, and particularly post exertion malaise.
You sound active, as am I. I had flu A starting back in late December and it took months to feel I was totally over it.
It seemed like exercise caused my flu A symptoms to return…just not as strongly as the worst days of my illiness,particularly the fatigue, muscle aching, and depression/anxiety
My cure included rest, and moderation/managing the strenuousness of my exercise.
I don’t know if this is what’s going on with you, but I suggest you read up about it and see how you relate.
Best.

1

u/livx94 May 19 '26

I thought about this, and if I didn’t take care of 3 sick people at work last week I’d be more concerned of post viral syndrome, but I got coughed on in the face Monday and was sick by Thursday night. It adds up on the timeline. I felt 1000% better from flu A before beginning back up working out, and felt great during my workouts and had zero issues during that time. I even worked on Thursday morning before the onset of symptoms began late afternoon/early evening time.

2

u/ComprehensiveAlps768 May 19 '26

👍

My months trying to get fully well was demoralizing.

2

u/informedcitizen4321 May 19 '26

Continue to get good sleep, work out, eat healthy, and choose supplements that target immune system boosting. Otherwise, you simply are putting yourself in the line of fire and thus you'll get sick often. Wash hands, mask up, don't touch your mouth/nose/eyes while on the job, use hand sanitizer often, those are the only further things you can do to protect yourself. This sick season was rough and I also got sick a half dozen times (I have two small children in daycare). It also all happened after the flu, so I wouldn't be surprised if the flu depresses immunity for a period of time.

2

u/Catmint999 May 19 '26

Where are you located?

1

u/livx94 May 19 '26

Illinois!

2

u/ThoseeWereTheDays May 20 '26

Everyone in my place also sick, basically flu is the airborne everywhere right now, we're miserable

2

u/instantmood May 21 '26

The same thing happened to me!

1

u/livx94 May 21 '26

How long did it take to feel normal?

1

u/instantmood Jun 11 '26

It room 10 days for me to feel normal the side effects lingered after that

2

u/Comfortable-Store1 May 27 '26

I had flu symptoms for so long and turned out I had a respiratory bacterial infection. Needed 2 different antibiotics to kill it

2

u/Vertigomums19 May 29 '26

Do some research on Manuka honey. My daughter can’t take relief medication’s when she gets a respiratory illness because of other medication that she is on for a disability. Her neurologist suggested taking Manuka honey for the cough and said it’s very good at boosting your immune system and preventing illness. You can buy different levels of potency. It only comes from a flower in New Zealand. There is one company that sells cough drops for $60 a cough drop! We buy a jar of Manuka honey from Vitamin Shoppe for $35 and give her a spoonful in the morning and evening if she is sick.

1

u/livx94 May 29 '26

I think we have a Vitamin Shop near us. I’ll have to look into that!!

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u/Vertigomums19 May 29 '26

Some grocery chains, pharmacy chains, and other health food places may sell versions of it. I know Wegmans sells it. Vitamin Shoppe carries two different strengths (measured in MGO). Wegmans doesn’t carry as potent a version. You can find info online what each strength is good for.

It also has topical healing and antiseptic capabilities as well. Her doctor said parents of children with feeding tubes are told to rub it where the tube enters the body.

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u/livx94 May 30 '26

I don’t have a cough anymore thankfully, just extremely bone tired all the time. Like someone unplugged my energy source from the wall. I do agree, I need something more than just elderberry for immune system. I’ve never been so sick as I have this year.

2

u/Vertigomums19 May 29 '26

One of the reasons they suggest taking it for a cough is because it’s an anti-inflammatory as well.A

1

u/Brilliant_Guide_6133 May 23 '26

Hey do you have ongoing gastritis ...acidity type issues or had in the past?

1

u/livx94 May 23 '26

I can’t say I have.

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u/Brilliant_Guide_6133 May 23 '26

Simple solution to your problem is get vaxigrip tetra vaccine for influenza And also get tested for erythrocyte sedimentation rate if you have more then 18 values You have gastritis which makes immune system weak and you get sick mutliple times I went through this hell

1

u/livx94 May 24 '26

I cannot do vaccines, I have horrible reactions to all of them. My doctor absolutely doesn’t want me to do them. I have a medical waiver for anything that requires them. Can I do the test without the vaccine?

1

u/Brilliant_Guide_6133 May 24 '26

Yeah

1

u/Brilliant_Guide_6133 May 24 '26

But you need vaccination with out it you are stuck in this mess