Strange flu

Hello,

I came down with flu like symptoms around 18th December. It started off with extreme feeling of fatigue, and week knees. I then had low grade fever (around 101 deg F), I had slightly inflamed tonsils which went away in a day or 2. And then I had a congested chest, stuffy & drippy nose and had thick green colored mucus when I blew my nose. I was intitially skeptical that it may have been ARS symptoms from 1 medium-risk encounter that I had, but now am almost sure it isn't that.

I visited my GP on the 20th of December and was given some anti-virals and paracetamol. The fever came down in about 4 days.

My problem is, as of January 11th, I am still very very exhausted. I get a vomiting sensation toward the end of the day. My chest is still badly congested and I heck up phlegm when I cough:

1. Is it normal for me to have fatigue and exhaustion 3 weeks after onset of my flu?
2. Is the feeling of nausea common? Has anybody else experienced this feeling?
3. Could this be an ARS symptom by any chance? No swelling of glands, no rash.
4. Do i need to go see a doctor? I don't want to see a doc until i get my 8-week HIV test due in another couple of weeks.

[Enoch Choi, MD]

No, not common to be exhausted 3 weeks after a viral infection, unless it's something like infectious mononucleosis (EBV - epstein barr virus, otherwise known as kissing disease)

nausea is not uncommon with cough

ARS?  what's that in american english?

Yes, consider seeing your doctor for a monospot test.

[crazy_driver]

Hello Doctor,

Thank you for your speedy reply. I was referring to primary HIV infection when I said ARS. I was exposed to a potential HIV risk about 5 weeks back (condom slippage during sex) and have been very anxious since then. I am waiting for the 6 week mark to get tested.

Could this just be an anxiety symptom then? I have decided to go to my doctor if the symptoms do not go away in a couple of days. I have been having these fatigue and nausea symptoms for the past 2 weeks.

[Enoch Choi, MD]

common flu-like symptoms are seen in primary HIV infection

good luck for the HIV test in a week

most likely anxiety, but consider seeing your doc to test for mono