what are the signs and symptoms of flu and how is it best managed course hero

by Mrs. Vanessa Kreiger 10 min read

What are the symptoms of the flu?

Jan 25, 2017 · What are the signs and symptoms of flu, and how is it best managed? Signs and symptoms of the flu include a fever of 102-103°F, cough, headache, malaise, inflamed respiratory tract, aches and pains, and weakness.

How do you know if your child has the flu?

-Stay in your house.-Reduce fever and muscle aches with acetaminophen (such as Tylenol).Because of the link between aspirin and Reye's syndrome, a rare illness that involves brain and liver damage, adults should not administer aspirin to children or adolescents with fevers. Sign & Symptoms: The only influenza viruses known to cause flu pandemics, or …

What is influenza and how is it treated?

Symptoms. At first, the flu may seem like a common cold with a runny nose, sneezing and sore throat. But colds usually develop slowly, whereas the flu tends to come on suddenly. And although a cold can be a bother, you usually feel much worse with the flu. Common signs and symptoms of the flu include: Fever; Aching muscles; Chills and sweats ...

When should I seek medical attention if I have the flu?

Signs and symptoms of pneumonia include fever, chills, a cough, shortness of breath, rapid breathing, chest pain with deep breaths, fatigue or confusion. Question 8 Pneumonia is a life-threatening disease and can be a complication for patients with existing medical conditions such as diabetes, asthma, COPD or weak immune system.

What to do if you have the flu?

If you have flu symptoms and are at risk of complications, see your doctor right away. Taking antiviral drugs may reduce the length of your illness and help prevent more-serious problems. If you have emergency signs and symptoms of the flu, get medical care right away.

How long does it take for the flu to go away?

If you're young and healthy, the flu usually isn't serious. Although you may feel miserable while you have it, the flu usually goes away in a week or two with no lasting effects. But children and adults at high risk may develop complications that may include:

How do viruses travel through the air?

Influenza viruses travel through the air in droplets when someone with the infection coughs, sneezes or talks. You can inhale the droplets directly, or you can pick up the germs from an object — such as a telephone or computer keyboard — and then transfer them to your eyes, nose or mouth.

What is the name of the virus that attacks the respiratory system?

Influenza is a viral infection that attacks your respiratory system — your nose, throat and lungs. Influenza is commonly called the flu, but it's not the same as stomach "flu" viruses that cause diarrhea and vomiting.

What are the symptoms of the flu?

Chills. Generalized muscle aches. Malaise (a general feeling of unwellness) Tiredness. Headache (usually extending across the forehead and behind the eyes) Once full-fledged acute symptoms develop, there is really nothing you can do other than rest and let the disease run its course. Early Flu Symptoms in Children.

How to tell if you have the flu?

Spotting the early signs and symptoms of flu can help you seek treatment that can shorten the course of an infection. The most common early symptoms are: 1  1 Sudden high fever (over 100.4 degrees F) 2 Chills 3 Generalized muscle aches 4 Malaise (a general feeling of unwellness) 5 Tiredness 6 Headache (usually extending across the forehead and behind the eyes)

How to deal with flu outbreaks?

The most effective strategy for doing so is getting an annual flu shot or FluMist (the nasal spray flu vaccine). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends annual influenza vaccination for everyone 6 months and older, ideally by the end of October. 9 

How long does it take for the flu to go away?

Unlike the common cold, for which there are no drug treatments, the flu can be shortened by a day or two if certain antiviral drugs are taken within 24 to 48 hours of the first appearance of symptoms. The drugs work by slowing the replication of the virus and, by doing so, potentially reduce the length and severity of the illness. 5 

What does it feel like to have the flu?

When you get the flu (influenza), it will often start with mild muscle aches, a slight tickle in the throat, or a worn-out feeling you just can't shake. Common wisdom suggests that if you treat flu when symptoms first appear, you may be able to shorten the duration and severity of the illness. In recent years, a number of prescription drugs have ...

What are the stages of influenza?

Influenza develops in stages, the early stage of which is referred to as the incubation phase and the latter of which is known as the acute phase. The incubation phase is the time following exposure before symptoms first appear.

Why don't antiviral drugs work?

Even so, the drugs don't always work, often because people miss the early signs and get treated too late. If not taken within the first 24 to 48 hours, the drugs will likely be of any benefit. The four antiviral treatment options approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are:

Overview

Symptoms

  • At first, the flu may seem like a common cold with a runny nose, sneezing and sore throat. But colds usually develop slowly, whereas the flu tends to come on suddenly. And although a cold can be a bother, you usually feel much worse with the flu. Common signs and symptoms of the flu include: 1. Fever 2. Aching muscles 3. Chills and sweats 4. Headac...
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Causes

  • Influenza viruses travel through the air in droplets when someone with the infection coughs, sneezes or talks. You can inhale the droplets directly, or you can pick up the germs from an object — such as a telephone or computer keyboard — and then transfer them to your eyes, nose or mouth. People with the virus are likely contagious from about a day before symptoms appear un…
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Risk Factors

  • Factors that may increase your risk of developing the flu or its complications include: 1. Age.Seasonal influenza tends to target children 6 months to 5 years old, and adults 65 years old or older. 2. Living or working conditions.People who live or work in facilities with many other residents, such as nursing homes or military barracks, are more likely to develop the flu. People …
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Complications

  • If you're young and healthy, the flu usually isn't serious. Although you may feel miserable while you have it, the flu usually goes away in a week or two with no lasting effects. But children and adults at high risk may develop complications that may include: 1. Pneumonia 2. Bronchitis 3. Asthma flare-ups 4. Heart problems 5. Ear infections 6. Acute respiratory distress syndrome Pneumonia …
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Prevention

  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone age 6 months or older. The flu vaccine can reduce your risk of the flu and its severity and lower the risk of having serious illness from the flu and needing to stay in the hospital. Flu vaccination is especially important this season because the flu and coronavirus disease 2019 (C…
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