what is the course of the flu

by Emmy Adams 8 min read

Symptoms of the flu can hit very quickly and may last several weeks. A bout of the flu typically follows this pattern: Days 1–3: Sudden appearance of fever, headache, muscle pain and weakness, dry cough, sore throat and sometimes a stuffy nose. Day 4: Fever and muscle aches decrease.

How long does it take to get over the flu?

Flu symptoms, including fever, should go away after about 5 days, but you may still have a cough and feel weak a few days longer. All your symptoms should be gone within 1 to 2 weeks.

What are the stages of the flu A?

Stages of the FluFlu Day 0. This is when some people are actually contagious, yet feel fine. ... Days 1-3. Suddenly, you may feel ill. ... Day 4. You may notice a dip in fever and less muscle achiness. ... Day 5. Things should be looking up. ... Day 6 and Beyond. At this point, your symptoms should be leveling off.

What are the worst days of the flu?

Flu Day 1. Flu symptoms hit pretty rapidly on day one. You may wake up feeling fine, but feel progressively worse as the hours pass. ... Flu Day 3. The third day of the flu is possibly the worst, so get plenty of rest and fluids today. ... Flu Day 5. On day five of the flu, you should be starting to feel better.

Does flu get worse before it gets better?

For people who do not develop serious flu complications, symptoms usually last 3–7 days . Some people find that their symptoms get better and then worse again or that they are worse at certain times of the day, such as in the morning.

Why does the flu get worse at night?

At night, there is less cortisol in your blood. As a result, your white blood cells readily detect and fight infections in your body at this time, provoking the symptoms of the infection to surface, such as fever, congestion, chills, or sweating. Therefore, you feel sicker during the night.

What helps flu fast?

9 Tips to Ease Flu SymptomsStay home and get plenty of rest.Drink plenty of fluids.Treat aches and fever.Take care of your cough.Sit in a steamy bathroom.Run the humidifier.Try a lozenge.Get salty.More items...•

How do I know my flu is getting better?

After about 4 days, you'll probably start to feel better. Your fever should be lower and your body aches should have lessened. Your cough may be worse, but this can be a sign that you're getting better. It's still important to get rest and plenty of fluid intake, and to self-isolate.

How do you tell if the flu is turning into pneumonia?

They can include:High fever, up to 105 F.Coughing up greenish, yellow, or bloody mucus.Chills that make you shake.Feeling like you can't catch your breath, especially when you move around a lot.Feeling very tired.Loss of appetite.Sharp or stabbing chest pain (you might feel it more when you cough or take a deep breath)More items...•

How long should you stay home from work with the flu?

Individuals with suspected or confirmed flu, who do not have a fever, should stay home from work at least 4-5 days after the onset of symptoms. Persons with the flu are most contagious during the first 3 days of their illness.

How do I know if my flu is serious?

In adults, symptoms of life-threatening flu complications include:feeling short of breath.trouble breathing.disorientation.feeling suddenly dizzy.abdominal pain that is severe.pain in the chest.severe or ongoing vomiting.

How do I know my flu is getting better?

After about 4 days, you'll probably start to feel better. Your fever should be lower and your body aches should have lessened. Your cough may be worse, but this can be a sign that you're getting better. It's still important to get rest and plenty of fluid intake, and to self-isolate.

What are the last symptoms of the flu?

People at Higher Risk from FluSigns and SymptomsColdInfluenza (Flu)Fatigue, weaknessSometimesUsualSneezingCommonSometimesChest discomfort, coughMild to moderate; hacking coughCommon; can be severeStuffy noseCommonSometimes6 more rows

How do you tell if the flu is turning into pneumonia?

They can include:High fever, up to 105 F.Coughing up greenish, yellow, or bloody mucus.Chills that make you shake.Feeling like you can't catch your breath, especially when you move around a lot.Feeling very tired.Loss of appetite.Sharp or stabbing chest pain (you might feel it more when you cough or take a deep breath)More items...•

How do you know when your recovering from the flu?

You should make a full recovery within 2 weeks – while your body may have fought off the infection successfully, you may not feel 100% for up to 2 weeks after being infected. Most of your symptoms should have subsided by this point, but it's normal to feel weak and tired while your body recovers from the infection.