Can a cold/flu cause water retention? i've been helplessly thirsty even though i've been drinking around a gallon of water a day.

my weight has shot up in the past week (i haven't been to the gym, but i haven't changed my eating habits-which are very clean and natural). i can't have gained seven 'real' pounds in 7 days...could i have?

this morning my tounge was white coated and the head cold part seems to be moving into my lungs. blugh.

either way-real question-water retention with a cold. is it possible?

I have similiar symptoms, but in my case I lost 10 pound in 2 weeks.