EXPECT
The illness will last between 5 and 14 days (most patients improve after 7 days)
You will probably have a temperature on and off during the first week and feel hot and cold and shivery.
You may sweat at night.
You will probably have a dry painful cough (which may persist for up to 4 weeks even after the acute illness is over).You may cough up a little mostly clear phlegm .
You will probably have a bad headache and aching back and limbs
You will probably feel a bit breathless on exertion eg walking up stairs .
You may feel a tight sensation around your chest making it feel harder to take a deep breath
You will probably feel exhausted although you should notice a gradual improvement after 1 week
You may have a very sore throat which some people describe as feeling like swallowing razor blades.
You may feel a bit sick and not have much appetite.
You may have diarrhoea for 1 or 2 days at any time during the illness (most commonly at the begiining)
You may notice intermittent upper abdominal discomfort
You may feel a little bit dizzy at times walking about.
ABNORMAL
1.At any time
Temperature > 38.3 or < 35.5 (on 2 readings 4 hours apart) in the first 7 days
Delirium/confusion
Significantly short of breath/rapid breathing at rest
Significantly short of breath after minimal exertion
Coughing up lots of green,yellow or red phlegm
Severe constant central or left sided chest pain
Feeling so exhausted you cant get out of bed to go to the toilet
Persisting vomiting
Unable to eat for more than 1 or 2 days
Barely able to drink for more than 1 day
Diarrhoea ++ for more than 1-2 days
Significantly reduced urine output
Persisting worsening upper abdominal pain
Feeling so dizzy you can barely walk
2.After day 7
Any of the above +
Persisting temperature after 7 days (> 37.8 or < 35.5)
Feeling worse rather than slowly improving after 7 days
DO
1.Drink at least 5-6 cups of fluid daily
2.Ring your GP surgery for advice if any of the ABNORMAL symptoms listed above
or if any other significant concerns
Remember most patients are best managed at home and will make a full recovery without any additional treatment.