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Symptoms of Flu (Influenza)
General Overview
The flu, or influenza, is a common viral infection that primarily affects the respiratory system. Although it shares some symptoms with the common cold, influenza typically manifests more suddenly and can lead to severe health issues if left untreated. Awareness of the specific symptoms can help individuals in the United Kingdom manage and seek appropriate treatment for the flu season, generally lasting from late autumn to early spring.
High Fever
One of the hallmark symptoms of the flu is a high fever, often reaching up to 38°C (100.4°F) or higher. This fever may come on suddenly and be accompanied by chills and sweating. It’s important to monitor and manage fever, especially in children and the elderly, as prolonged high temperatures can lead to complications.
Body Aches and Fatigue
Severe muscle aches and joint pain are commonly reported symptoms. This can be felt throughout the body and is often accompanied by general fatigue that can be quite debilitating. Individuals experiencing these symptoms may find it difficult to perform day-to-day activities.
Respiratory Symptoms
The flu primarily targets the respiratory system, leading to symptoms such as cough, sore throat, and a runny or stuffy nose. Coughs related to influenza can be dry and persistent, potentially lasting for several weeks beyond the acute phase of the illness.
Headaches
Headaches can be a significant symptom of the flu, often presenting as a severe, throbbing pain. This is typically accompanied by other symptoms like sensitivity to light and sound, making it essential to rest in a calm, dark environment during severe episodes.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms
While less common, some individuals may experience gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. These symptoms are more prevalent in children but can also affect adults. It's crucial to stay hydrated and consult a healthcare provider if these symptoms are severe.
Fatigue and Weakness
Experiencing significant fatigue and weakness is a common complaint among those infected with the flu. Unlike the common cold, where symptoms might be milder and resolve more quickly, the flu can lead to prolonged periods of feeling unwell, sometimes lasting two weeks or more.
When to Seek Medical Advice
It's vital to seek medical advice if you experience difficulty breathing, chest pain, sudden dizziness, or persistent vomiting. High-risk groups such as the elderly, young children, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic health conditions should consult a healthcare provider if flu symptoms arise. Flu vaccinations are also recommended to mitigate the risks associated with influenza.
Symptoms of Flu (Influenza)
General Overview
The flu, also called influenza, is a virus that affects your breathing. It is not the same as a cold because it starts quickly and can make you very sick. Knowing the symptoms helps you see if you need to see a doctor. The flu season is usually from late autumn to early spring in the UK.
High Fever
The flu often causes a high fever. This means your body gets very hot, often 38°C (100.4°F) or more. You might also feel cold, then sweaty. Keep an eye on your fever, especially in kids and older people, because it can cause problems if it stays high for a long time.
Body Aches and Fatigue
Your muscles and joints can really hurt when you have the flu. You will also feel very tired and might not want to do much. Everyday tasks can feel really hard.
Respiratory Symptoms
The flu affects your breathing, causing a cough, sore throat, and a stuffy or runny nose. The cough can be dry and last for weeks, even after you start feeling better.
Headaches
You might get bad headaches with the flu. It can feel like a throbbing pain and may make light and noise uncomfortable. Try to rest in a quiet, dark room if this happens.
Gastrointestinal Symptoms
Sometimes, the flu can upset your stomach, causing nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. This happens more in kids but can affect adults too. Drink lots of fluids and see a doctor if it gets bad.
Fatigue and Weakness
Feeling very tired and weak is normal with the flu. Unlike a cold, these feeling can last longer, sometimes two weeks or more.
When to Seek Medical Advice
See a doctor if you have trouble breathing, chest pain, dizziness, or if you keep vomiting. People with a higher risk, like older adults, young kids, pregnant women, and those with other health issues, should talk to a doctor if they have flu symptoms. Get a flu shot to help protect yourself from the flu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common symptoms of the flu include fever, chills, muscle aches, cough, congestion, runny nose, headaches, and fatigue.
Flu symptoms tend to come on suddenly and are more severe than cold symptoms. Influenza often involves fever, chills, and body aches, which are less common in a cold.
Most people with the flu get better on their own. However, you should see a doctor if you are pregnant, have a chronic illness, or experience severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, or persistent dizziness.
Flu symptoms typically last between 5 to 7 days, but fatigue and a lingering cough can sometimes persist for a couple of weeks.
No, antibiotics are not effective against the flu because it is caused by a virus, not bacteria. Antiviral medications may be prescribed if started early in the infection.
You can take over-the-counter medications such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to reduce fever and pain. Decongestants and cough suppressants may also help relieve symptoms.
To prevent spreading the flu, stay home, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow when coughing or sneezing, wash your hands often, and avoid close contact with others.
Yes, different strains of the flu virus can circulate within a single season, so it is possible to get the flu more than once.
Flu season in the UK typically runs from October to March, with a peak in cases usually observed between December and February.
The best way to protect yourself from the flu is to get the annual flu vaccine. Good hygiene practices, such as frequent handwashing and avoiding close contact with sick individuals, can also help.
No, the flu vaccine cannot give you the flu. The injected vaccine contains inactivated virus, and the nasal spray contains weakened virus that does not cause illness.
Side effects of the flu vaccine are usually mild and can include soreness at the injection site, low-grade fever, and muscle aches. These typically resolve within a few days.
Yes, people who are pregnant, elderly, young children, and those with chronic health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease) are at higher risk for severe flu complications.
Yes, the flu can lead to complications such as pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections, and worsening of existing health conditions like asthma or heart disease.
Yes, rest is essential to help your body fight off the flu. Additionally, stay hydrated and avoid strenuous activities until you feel better.
When you have the flu, you might feel sick in these ways:
- A high body temperature (fever)
- Feeling very cold (chills)
- Sore muscles
- Coughing
- Stuffed-up nose
- Runny nose
- Headaches
- Feeling very tired
Using pictures or drawing what you feel can help you explain your symptoms.
Flu symptoms start quickly and are worse than cold symptoms. If you have the flu, you might have a fever, feel very cold, and your body might hurt. These things usually don't happen with a cold.
Helpful Tip: If reading is hard, try using a reading app or ask someone to read with you. It can help!
Most people who get the flu get better by themselves. But, you should go to the doctor if you are going to have a baby, already have other health problems, or have bad symptoms like trouble breathing, chest hurting, or feeling dizzy all the time.
Flu symptoms usually last 5 to 7 days. But feeling tired and having a cough might last for a few more weeks.
No, antibiotics do not work for the flu. The flu is caused by a virus, not by bacteria. There are special medicines called antiviral medications that can help if you take them soon after you get sick.
You can take medicine from the store to help you feel better. Paracetamol or ibuprofen can help if you have a fever or if you are in pain. You can also try medicines for a stuffy nose or a cough. These might help with your symptoms.
If you have trouble reading, you can use tools like audiobooks or apps that read the text out loud for you. You could also ask someone to read it to you or write it in bigger letters.
To stop spreading the flu:
- Stay home if you feel sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow when you cough or sneeze.
- Wash your hands a lot with soap and water.
- Stay away from other people if you can.
Using a timer for handwashing can help make sure you wash long enough. Singing a song like “Happy Birthday” two times while washing can help too.
Yes, there are different kinds of flu viruses. These can spread around during the same season. So, you can catch the flu more than one time.
In the UK, flu happens mostly from October to March. It is worst between December and February.
The best way to stop getting the flu is to get a flu vaccine every year. Washing your hands lots of times and staying away from people who are sick can also help keep you safe.
No, the flu shot cannot make you sick with the flu. The shot has a tiny part of the flu virus that is dead. Also, the nose spray has a weak form of the virus that cannot make you sick.
If you need help reading or want to understand more, you can ask someone you trust to explain it to you. You can also use text-to-speech tools to listen to the words.
The flu shot might make you feel a little sore where you got the shot. You might have a small fever or feel achy in your muscles. But don't worry—these feelings usually go away in a few days.
Yes, some people can get very sick from the flu. These people include those who are pregnant, older adults, young children, and people with health problems like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease.
Yes, the flu can make you more sick. It can cause problems like lung infection (pneumonia), trouble with breathing tubes (bronchitis), and stuffy nose problems (sinus infections). If you already have health problems like breathing troubles (asthma) or heart sickness, the flu can make them worse.
If reading is hard, try using audiobooks or voice-to-text to help you. You can also ask someone to read to you or use a ruler to guide your eyes while reading.
Yes, rest is very important when you have the flu. Rest helps your body get better. Drink lots of water and do not do hard activities until you feel well again.
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