Hello doctor, I became sick yesterday and it just seems to be getting worse, I can barely stay awake. I have flu symptoms: severe aches in muscles and joints, pain and tiredness around the eyes, weakness or extreme fatigue, warm, flushed skin and red, watery eyes, a headache, sore throat, runny nose and feverish. Plus I have been exposed to the flu by people at work. I am currently on Dayquil and Excedrin.
Hello. I can well realize you are worried about your health.  This is a flu season actually and winter started out of nowhere this time. This kind of sudden change in weather leads to more flu cases than a cold weather that kicks in gradually. People are not acclimatized yet, that is why it is highly suggested to observe all precautionary measure at the workplace where close contact with coworkers is inevitable. Now, as you have got the flu, it can be either due to viral attack or bacterial. Symptoms in both cases overlap but treatment options differ much. We prescribe antibiotics only in case of bacterial infection and to be sure we go for a throat swab test to rule it out. If on physical examination, the primary care physician feels it is more like a bacterial infection of the throat, he/she may start antibiotics like Amoxicillin or Penicillin, and meanwhile send a throat swab for culture to pathology laboratory. As the results are in hand your doctor may call and let you know if this was a true bacterial infection or not. Medications are adjusted accordingly. You are taking DayQuil (Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, and Pseudoephedrine) and Excedrin (Aspirin, Paracetamol, and Caffeine), that is alright and good to go. I would recommend you to visit your PCP as soon as possible for proper evaluation as discussed above. Meanwhile, keep taking theses medications to keep the symptoms in check, to some extent. Take proper rest and plenty of fluids along with a balanced and healthy diet. Avoid spices, fried and fast foods, sodas, cigarette and excess alcohol. Keep yourself well hydrated. Hope it helps. Please feel free to ask more if you have further queries or any unanswered point. I would be more than happy to assist you right away. For more information consult an internal medicine physician online -->