Common Signs & Symptoms
of Flu
Influenza (flu) can cause
mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Flu is different from a
cold. Flu usually comes on suddenly. People who have flu often feel some or all
of these symptoms:
·
Fever* or feeling feverish/chills
·
Cough
·
Sore throat
·
Runny or stuffy nose
·
Muscle or body aches
·
Headaches
·
Fatigue (tiredness)
·
Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more
common in children than adults.
*It’s important to note
that not everyone with flu will have a fever.
What should I do if I
get sick?
Most people with the flu
have mild illness and do not need medical care or antiviral drugs. If you get
sick with flu symptoms, in most cases, you should stay home and avoid contact
with other people except to get medical care.
If, however, you have
symptoms of flu and are in a high risk group, or are very sick or worried about
your illness, contact your health care provider (doctor, physician assistant,
etc.).
Certain people are at high
risk of serious flu-related complications (including
young children, people 65 and older, pregnant women and people with certain
medical conditions). This is true both for seasonal flu and novel flu virus
infections. (For a full list of people at high risk of flu-related
complications, see People at High Risk of Developing Flu–Related
Complications). If you are in a high risk group and develop flu
symptoms, it’s best for you to contact your doctor early in your illness.
Remind them about your high risk status for flu. CDC recommends that people at
high risk for complications should get antiviral treatment as early as
possible, because benefit is greatest if treatment is started within 2 days
after illness onset.
No. The emergency room
should be used for people who are very sick. You should not go to the emergency
room if you are only mildly ill.
If you have the emergency
warning signs of flu sickness, you should go to the emergency room. If you get
sick with flu symptoms and are at high risk of flu complications or you are
concerned about your illness, call your health care provider for advice. If you
go to the emergency room and you are not sick with the flu, you may catch it
from people who do have it.
People experiencing these
warning signs should obtain medical care right away.
In children
·
Fast breathing or trouble breathing
·
Bluish lips or face
·
Ribs pulling in with each breath
·
Chest pain
·
Severe muscle pain (child refuses to walk)
·
Dehydration (no urine for 8 hours, dry mouth, no tears when
crying)
·
Not alert or interacting when awake
·
Seizures
·
Fever above 104°F
·
In children less than 12 weeks, any fever
·
Fever or cough that improve but then return or worsen
·
Worsening of chronic medical conditions
In adults
·
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
·
Persistent pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
·
Persistent dizziness, confusion, inability to arouse
·
Seizures
·
Not urinating
·
Severe muscle pain
·
Severe weakness or unsteadiness
·
Fever or cough that improve but then return or worsen
·
Worsening of chronic medical conditions
These lists are not all
inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptom that is
severe or concerning.
Yes. There are drugs your
doctor may prescribe for treating the flu called “antivirals.” These drugs can
make you better faster and may also prevent serious complications. See Treatment
– Antiviral Drugs for more information.
CDC recommends that you
stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical
care or other necessities. Your fever should be gone without the need to use a
fever-reducing medicine, such as Tylenol®. Until then, you should stay home
from work, school, travel, shopping, social events, and public gatherings.
CDC also recommends that
children and teenagers (anyone aged 18 years and younger) who have flu or are
suspected to have flu should not be given Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) or any
salicylate containing products (e.g. Pepto Bismol); this can cause a rare, very
serious complication called Reye’s syndrome. More information about Reye’s
syndrome can be found hereexternal icon.
Stay away from others as
much as possible to keep from infecting them. If you must leave home, for
example to get medical care, wear a facemask if you have one, or cover coughs
and sneezes with a tissue. Wash your hands often to keep from spreading flu to
others.
Page last
reviewed: October 8, 2019
Content source: Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, National
Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD)
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