Flu (Influenza) Symptoms
Flu, also called influenza is a viral infection caused by influenza viruses which attacks your respiratory system, including your nose, throat, bronchial tubes and lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Some believe that the best way to prevent this illness is by getting a flu vaccination each fall. Every year in the United States , on average 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu; more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and about 36,000 people die from flu.
Anyone can get influenza, You're especially at risk if you are an older adult, have diabetes, chronic heart or lung disease, or an impaired immune system.
The flu virus typically has an incubation period of one to four days, although symptoms usually come on suddenly. In most cases, you should feel better in about a week to 10 days unless you develop a serious post-flu lung infection, an inflammation of the lining of your bronchial
tubes such as bacterial pneumonia or subacute bronchitis. Some symptoms, such as a runny nose, sneezing and sore throat, may initially seem like a common cold. But if you are an adult and have a fever of 101 F or more, you may have influenza.
Symptoms of the Flu Include:
- Muscular aches and pains, especially in your back, arms and legs
- Fatigue and weakness
- Chills and sweats
- Headache
- Dry cough
- Nasal congestion
- Loss of appetite
Children with the flu tend to have higher fevers than infected adults have — often 103 to 105 F. Influenza may also cause children to feel nauseous and experience vomiting and diarrhea.
If you've been infected with the flu, you can spread the disease to others before you realize you're sick and for as long as a week after your symptoms appear.
See your doctor right away if you have flu symptoms and you're at risk of a
severe case of influenza or complications of the disease.
Flu Symptoms to F
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