I had it in high school. I had not missed one day of school, and I spent a week in the hospital, and then several days after at home. I coughed up tons of yucky stuff,, and that lasted for a long time. I also have asthma, and I was not able to catch my breath easily for weeks. Take the other women's advice, and take it slow and easy. You also might ask your doctor about a cool mist vaporizer to loosen up the phlegm. It is so gross!!