Brief Answer:
You are very likely having flu- advices below

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to Ask a Doctor service,

I carefully read your query and understand your concern.

The symptoms you explain such as headaches, shakiness, body pain, feeling unwell, cough, chest pain, etc, are very likely due to flu.
This is a viral infection and self-limiting but some patients may have severe symptoms and in rare cases complications such as lung infections may happen.

It is common for patients with flu to feel really unwell but generally young patients that do not suffer from other conditions are less likely to need more than just supportive treatment.

- I noticed you are using tylenol cold and flu. You may use this regularly to help with pain, and cough but you may also add ibuprofen 600 mg every 6 hours after food (if you are not allergic to it and if you do not have stomach problems). Ibuprofen is an antiinflammatory drug that may help better than tylenol with pain. Ibuprofen can be taken together with tylenol cold and flu. You need to use it regularly, every 6-8 hours.
- You can do nasal lavage with normal saline 0.9%to help relieve the nose and this may help with the headaches as well.
- Drink plenty and eat frequent small amounts of food and rest as much as possible.
- If you notice no improvement in a couple of days or you notice any worsening, you will need to see your doctor and have your lungs checked. Sometimes antibiotics are needed and in rare cases antivirals (that fight the flu virus) may be needed as well.
- chest pain can be due to cough but it may indicate a lung infection as well so if the chest pain is not better with ibuprofen and tylenol or if you get short of breath it is best to see your doctor.
- headaches can mostly be due to the congestion and the flu itself. In some cases, a complication with bacterial sinus infection is likely the cause but this is considered if the headache lasts more than 5 days or if there is very high fever. So, at the moment tylenol cold and flu, ibuprofen and nasal lavage should be the treatment to try for the headache.


I hope this answers your query. I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.

I wish you quick healing.

Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician

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Brief Answer:
Flu is the most likely diagnosis- details below

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome back,

It is my pleasure to assist you.

Endocarditis may cause chest pain and flu-like symptoms but is not as common as flu, especially in this season, when flu is at the door. So, it is very unlikely endocarditis is the cause of your symptoms. Endocarditis is not considered with symptoms for only a few days. It may be considered later if no improvement or if there is any worsening (but still it is very unlikely).

Encephalitis as well would cause headaches but other symptoms such as seizures, confusion and neurological signs would be present.

So, given your symptoms and the fact that they have been there only a few days and that there is the flu season now, flu is the most likely diagnosis.
If you are not getting better or if you notice any new symptoms, then you will need to see your doctor to rule out other diagnoses or certain complications.

I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed and I wish you a quick improvement.

Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician

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