Hmmm...
I just got the worst "flu" of my life. I haven't been getting vaccines because it never was that bad. But things are changing.

Actually I'm blaming it on H1N1 Swine Flu that has been making its way around again, and I probably missed it the first time, and never got the vaccine.

After I thought it was over, I became extremely short of breath. Went to the Dr. and was diagnosed with pneumonia. I'm sure he was right that I had mucus in the lungs, but doubt I had a bacterial infection. I took the antibiotics anyway (plus steroids).

About 2 weeks with the flu.
10 days of antibiotics.
A couple of days later, and I was back on the bike. 15+ miles, but nothing strenuous. Actually, think a little exercise helps clear the lungs, so getting out an working or riding may actually be better than laying around in bed and on the couch.

But, I kept most of the riding sub-threshold, moving air, but generally not enough to induce coughing.

Oh, now tapering off of oral steroids. No inhaler. Tried a beta inhaler treatment (5 minutes or so) at the Dr's office, it did NOTHING for me.

Hopefully the OP is feeling better by now