“Flu recovery quandary?”
I am recovering from the flu, it's taking a long time, I have a severe cough, and am sweating a lot. But am otherwise fine. However, today I went out to the supermarket, and there was quite a bitter wind, even though I was very warmly dressed, but I'm worried it could cause me to take a turn for the worse. Is this possible?
Male | 65 years old
3 Answers
No, you should be fine, but it usually takes to feel better about three weeks from the initial bout of the flu.
Thanks for the question. Technically, no, but recovery rarely takes weeks. Please see your doctor, and be sure you did not have COVID or another infection.
Dr. C. Marlo Baird
Preventative Medicine Specialist | Public Health & General Preventive Medicine
Cherry Hill, NJ
Dear Flu in Recovery,
Your body is working extra hard in a couple ways, from what you mentioned. Anytime you are ill with the type of symptoms you described, your body burns up more energy in the "metabolism" of food. Additionally, the amount of heat you have to put out will be greater if you are sweating often, as sweating causes the cooling of evaporation. You can't control when you are sweating, so you could become "super cooled by sweating when dealing with bitter winds". You also mentioned a severe cough, and that takes a toll on your energy and indicates your immune system would be "preoccupied", not as strong defending against new insults. So, get the cough checked out, even if by a telephone "zoom" appointment, to "lessen the strain" on your system. Ideally, the evaluation would include someone able to listen to your lungs. The sweats and cough are a potentially very unhealthy condition, even if you are not suffering much. Review your immunizations and Tb tine tests with your primary care. Follow up on suggested labs or studies. These are not the times to ignore those symptoms. An infection, cancer, and many different serious conditions start with a cough and sweats, then a gradual weight loss, and then you become too weak to get the needed care. Lots of fluids, and weigh yourself every week in the morning. Also, keep your vitamins pumped up since that is especially needed while you are in this state: vitamin C, iron, magnesium, zinc, vitamin D, and some form of tea, or chocolate or coffee, in moderation. If melatonin helps you sleep better, that is also a plus. Stay bundled up with layers, especially covering your head, and throat. Try to reduce temperature change stress on your body as much as possible until you are well. Be extra vigilant regarding Covid precautions and testing if you have not yet, for everyone's sake. Avoid all smoking whenever fighting these symptoms. If you are a smoker not yet ready to quit, give the lungs a break. Your lungs can't fight off the bad guys if they are "tarred and feathered". Cigarette smoke, pipe smoke, it all gums up the lungs and leaves the system more vulnerable. Let yourself heal. A novel Air Quality app on your smart phone or laptop can keep you alert to conditions when the fresher air might be inside.
Stay safe, Be careful, and Speedy recovery.
Your body is working extra hard in a couple ways, from what you mentioned. Anytime you are ill with the type of symptoms you described, your body burns up more energy in the "metabolism" of food. Additionally, the amount of heat you have to put out will be greater if you are sweating often, as sweating causes the cooling of evaporation. You can't control when you are sweating, so you could become "super cooled by sweating when dealing with bitter winds". You also mentioned a severe cough, and that takes a toll on your energy and indicates your immune system would be "preoccupied", not as strong defending against new insults. So, get the cough checked out, even if by a telephone "zoom" appointment, to "lessen the strain" on your system. Ideally, the evaluation would include someone able to listen to your lungs. The sweats and cough are a potentially very unhealthy condition, even if you are not suffering much. Review your immunizations and Tb tine tests with your primary care. Follow up on suggested labs or studies. These are not the times to ignore those symptoms. An infection, cancer, and many different serious conditions start with a cough and sweats, then a gradual weight loss, and then you become too weak to get the needed care. Lots of fluids, and weigh yourself every week in the morning. Also, keep your vitamins pumped up since that is especially needed while you are in this state: vitamin C, iron, magnesium, zinc, vitamin D, and some form of tea, or chocolate or coffee, in moderation. If melatonin helps you sleep better, that is also a plus. Stay bundled up with layers, especially covering your head, and throat. Try to reduce temperature change stress on your body as much as possible until you are well. Be extra vigilant regarding Covid precautions and testing if you have not yet, for everyone's sake. Avoid all smoking whenever fighting these symptoms. If you are a smoker not yet ready to quit, give the lungs a break. Your lungs can't fight off the bad guys if they are "tarred and feathered". Cigarette smoke, pipe smoke, it all gums up the lungs and leaves the system more vulnerable. Let yourself heal. A novel Air Quality app on your smart phone or laptop can keep you alert to conditions when the fresher air might be inside.
Stay safe, Be careful, and Speedy recovery.
