Real. But my doctor had me stay my comped self at home and avoid their test of death. I made it though, left me pretty messed up. I've had plenty of bad cases of the flu, not that. Maybe a variant, but it sticks with you.
I'm not old but not healthy, if you aren't old or fucked it'll feel like a hoax; and that's fine. Glad shit tons didn't fall over dead like they fear mongered. But trust, it's SOMETHING, and it does reallly weird shit if it lingers.