Cold or Flu? (May be TMI for the squeamish)

[Aurora63]

I have what could be described as cold symptoms...sore throat, some congestion...but last night, I woke up sweating, nauseaous, dizzy as could be...couldn't move without feeling I was going to Never had this happen with a regular cold before. But during the day, only the regular cold symptoms.

What's your take? Is this just a cold or am I soon to have the full blown flu?

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I have what could be described as cold symptoms...sore throat, some congestion...but last night, I woke up sweating, nauseaous, dizzy as could be...couldn't move without feeling I was going to Never had this happen with a regular cold before. But during the day, only the regular cold symptoms.

What's your take? Is this just a cold or am I soon to have the full blown flu?

I don't know, but I would call the dr because for the flu meds to work they need to be started soon after the first symptoms. Strange that it feels like a normal cold during the day. My guess is that if it were really the flu you would feel terrible all the time.

 

[Christine]

If you don't have a fever, then you don't have the flu.

Also, the "true" flu is very much a respiratory disorder so your prominent symptoms would be nasal secretions and cough.

 

[Aurora63]

If you don't have a fever, then you don't have the flu.

Also, the "true" flu is very much a respiratory disorder so your prominent symptoms would be nasal secretions and cough.

No fever yet...but yes to the coughing. But that could come with the cold. So no flu?

But the dizzy/nausea stuff really freaked me out last night...felt like my body was just saying, "That's it! I'm taking a break!" Ever have that?

 

[Christine]

No fever yet...but yes to the coughing. But that could come with the cold. So no flu?

But the dizzy/nausea stuff really freaked me out last night...felt like my body was just saying, "That's it! I'm taking a break!" Ever have that?

You are probably just getting a really bad cold. And yes, I've gotten really sick and gotten dizzy and nauseous. It's probably affecting your inner ear and sinuses and it will cause you to feel that way. Just keep checking your temp and if it spikes, you are probably dealing with the flu.

 

[golfgal]

The Influenza is not what you describe. The main symptoms with that are are high fever and body aches. It is a respiratory ailment, not a stomach thing. Most people do NOT vomit with influenza although you may have another bug that makes you vomit at the same time. The influenza hits hard and fast, you don't ease into it like a cold. You could feel fine and an hour later be flat on your back in bed. You would NOT be posting here, soooooo, you have a cold or something else.

 

[lemondog]

I have had the flu once as an adult and it was like a mack truck hit me. I went from no fever to about 103 in less than an hour, and I had a horrible cough and stuffed up nose. I also ached like crazy. I had the fever for almost 4 full days, and I NEVER run fevers for that long.

If it were the full-blown flu, you would not feel fine during the day. You would not even be able to get out of bed very well. I agree it's probably just the congestion messing with your inner-ear/sinuses making you feel dizzy. Sometimes the drainage from a cold also makes me quite nauseous. Hope you feel better soon!

 

[chell]

But the dizzy/nausea stuff really freaked me out last night...felt like my body was just saying, "That's it! I'm taking a break!" Ever have that?

Sometimes I can get that from a cold or sinus infection.

If you have the flu you will KNOW it. Trust me! People always told me that and I thought they were crazy. Not at all. When you have the flu your entire body feels it the entire time.

Hope you feel better very quickly!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I have had the flu once as an adult and it was like a mack truck hit me.

I had that kind of sudden onset when I had strep and it was amazing how bad I felt so fast.

But I quoted your Mack truck comment because out of the blue tonight at dinner my 15yo asked what a Mack truck was and my 12yo went on to explain it (my 12yo is the car/truck expert in the house). My 15yo said that one of his teachers likes to use the Mack truck comparison. I asked if the teacher was around my age (mid 40's) and he said that he was older than me. I told him that it was an expression that was probably more common for my generation and older. But I guess I'm wrong since from your signature that you are younger than I am. Funny that it was talked about at dinner and then you used the expression.

OK, back on topic.

 

[Amlee]

I have what could be described as cold symptoms...sore throat, some congestion...but last night, I woke up sweating, nauseaous, dizzy as could be...couldn't move without feeling I was going to Never had this happen with a regular cold before. But during the day, only the regular cold symptoms.

What's your take? Is this just a cold or am I soon to have the full blown flu?

Sounds like an inner ear infection to me. I get major dizzy, with nauseaous and break out in to cold sweats when I get an ear infection. It usually goes along with a soon to follow sinus infection.


All of which I have right now.

 

[Caylin]

It sounds like the symptoms for a sinus infection. I get those a lot and they pretty much stink. I can always tell I'm getting one because I go absolutely insane, I'm talking uncharacteristic behavior and an upsetting tendency towards absolute honesty, before the rest of the symptoms manifest. Inner ear infection or sinus infection, see a doctor. They can give you stuff that will make it go away.
Feel better!

 

[palmtreegirl]

It sounds exactly like this nasty cold I had awhile back! Lasted a couple weeks but was only really bad for around 3-4 days and then it just lingered at night for about a little over a weekafter and then disappeared.

Feel better!

 

[Sparx]

Sinuses?