Flu: What are the most common symptoms?

The flu (influenza) can cause mild to severe illness. It can sometimes lead to death. Initially, you might mistake the flu for a common cold. However, colds usually develop slowly, whereas the flu tends to come on abruptly. Moreover, although a cold can be bothersome, you usually feel much worse with the flu.

The most common symptoms of flu include:

• fever (although not everyone with flu will have a fever) or feeling feverish and experiencing chills
• dry, persistent cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• muscle or body aches
• headaches
• fatigue (tiredness)
• vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children than adults)
• eye pain
• shortness of breath

Treatment

In most cases, the flu can be treated at home with over-the-counter medicines for fever, cough and colds/stuffy nose. You should get adequate rest and increase your intake of fluids and eat nutritious foods.

However, if you have flu symptoms and are at risk of complications, see your doctor immediately. Your doctor may prescribe antiviral agents within the first two days to reduce the length of your illness and help prevent more-serious problems. Antibiotics are prescribed for patients who develop flu complications such as pneumonia or otitis media (ear infection).

Emergency signs and symptoms

If you develop emergency signs and symptoms of the flu, seek medical care right away. For adults, emergency signs and symptoms can include:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Ongoing dizziness
• Seizures
• Worsening of existing medical conditions
• Severe weakness or muscle pain
• Not urinating
• Fever or cough that improve but then return or worsen

In children, emergency signs and symptoms can include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Blue lips
• Chest pain
• Dehydration
• Severe muscle pain
• Seizures
• Fever or cough that improve but then return or worsen
• Worsening of existing medical conditions

Consult your doctor for more information on flu symptoms.

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References:
https://doh.gov.ph/Health-Advisory/Influenza. Accessed 24 August 2022
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/symptoms.htm. Accessed 24 August 2022
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/flu/symptoms-causes/syc-20351719. Accessed 26 August 2022