I'm not totally sure if I have the flu or what it is. So I was just wondering what are some normal flu symptoms that you see in someone when they have the flu.
2006-12-23 03:20:07 · 7 answers · asked by antino33 3 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
Hello:
This is in response to your question about flu symtoms.
Many patients mistake the cold for the flu and vice versa.
There are literally hundreds of viruses that can cause the common cold and several strains of "influenza" virus responsible for the "flu".
Generally with a typical cold the symptoms can include congestion, cough, runny nose, low grade fever, coughing and body aches.
With the flu, since the virus enters the respiratory tract through the nasal passages you will get a runny nose but rarely congestion. Typically there is a high fever with the flu, ie. 101-104 degrees, severe muscle and joint aches, cough, headache, skin sensitivity, sweating, chills. Rarely but it does occur, the flu can cause pneumonia but it is usually in the age extremes, ie. infants and elderly.
If you begin to get these symptoms, go to your doctor right away. There is treatment for influenza. Tamiflu if taken within 24-36 hours after the onset of symptoms can actually shorten the course of the flu and the severity.
The common cold is usually more of a nuissance. The flu on the other hand makes you feel really really bad, essentially like you want to die. I recommend that all of my patients get a flu shot annually especially if they are very young, elderly, have any type of respiratory illnesses like asthma, emphysema, chronic allergies, diabetics or anyone with a compromised immune system, ie HIV, cancer, tranplant patients. All women who are pregnant must get a flu shot too.
In the past the CDC has recommended that only high risk patients recieve the flu shot because of the shortages, however, this year there is an abundance of vaccines therefore everyone should get the flu shot, not only to protect themselves but to protect others who are at more risk of developing the flu and its complications of pneumonia.
I hope this helped answer your question.
To your health!
Warren Shaffer, M.D.
2006-12-23 08:49:23 · answer #1 · answered by doctordad 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Flu symptoms
Flu symptoms develop one to three days after infection and include:
High fever, chills and sweating
Sore throat
Weakness
Headache and generalised muscle and joint pains (legs and back)
A non-productive cough that can later become more severe and productive.
2006-12-23 12:12:20 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The body feels like someone took you and beat you for days. Headache, fever, chills. Thank God it doesn"t last forever. The most is 2 weeks and you"ll be back to normal.
2006-12-23 12:18:04 · answer #3 · answered by crazy2733 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to www.webmd.com and search "flu". Have a ball and feel better.
2006-12-23 11:27:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, a fever, maybe throwing up, aches and pains. maybe a cough. i know cause that's what i had a coupe weeks ago.
2006-12-23 11:30:32 · answer #5 · answered by stack 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
fever, aches, cold chills, head ache, upset stomach.
2006-12-23 11:40:55 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
cold
fever
bodyache
headache
cough
2006-12-23 12:07:32 · answer #7 · answered by poison_ivy_sam 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋