Flu Symptoms
What you need to know about Flu?
Flu is a disease caused by a very complex group of RNA viruses. Though it has symptoms like the common cold, and it can easily be confused with common cold, it is a much severe disease. The disease is highly prevalent all over the world and is seasonal.
There are many types of flu and all of them basically have the same symptoms.
How to tell if you have a flu attack?
What are the flu symptoms that you should identify?
The most easily method is check if you or your dear ones have flu is to verify the F.A.C.T.S.
This acronym can be expanded to
- F for Fever
- A for aches
- C for Chills
- T for Tired feeling
- S for sudden sickness
If you experience all these symptoms you should consult your doctor immediately and seek immediate treatment that is appropriate.
Symptoms explained:
Fever: this is a response of the body to the injuries or any maladies present.
Aches: sudden unexplained pains that develop in the body can be due to flu but they might also be due to the exertion from physical activities.
Chills: Shivering is a bodily mechanism to prevent the body from cold but it is the sensation of shivering in normal temperatures that you should worry about.
Fatigue: this general weakness is also a method of coping from the exertion, tiredness and lack of sleep in the body. But flu can also be the cause of the symptom, especially if you had sumptuous food, sleep and rest.
Cough: the normal cough that produces mucous is not much of a worry but the dry coughs are an indicative of the flu. It can sometimes be associated with a sore throat. Sneezing is also common and suitable methods to prevent the spread of the organisms through sneezing should also be done.
Sudden Onset: Flu often develops all of a sudden in less than 6 hrs with debilitating pains and high temperatures.
Flu maybe generally responsible for any of the following symptoms
- Fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit associated with chills
- Sore throat associated with cough
- Fullness in the nose which is usually runny
- Pain in the parts of the body
- Headaches
- A general tiredness
- Children usually experience dehydration through diarrhea and vomiting but it rarely can occur in adults too
It should also be noted that fever is not a mandatory observance in all the cases but is a very common symptom.
You should contact your doctor immediately in case you experience following symptoms
- Falling short of breath or trouble while breathing
- A pain in the abdomen and/or chest
- Occasionally feeling dizzy
- Frequent and unrelenting vomiting
- Symptoms that seem to improve but recur after the improvement
If you suspect a case of flu in a person in your family check for the following in the person
- Trouble in breathing normally
- Pain in the chest
- Persistent vomiting and dehydration
- A dizzy feeling when he stands suddenly
- Urination is not as frequent as normal
- In case of infants, watch for children crying without tears
- Experiencing seizures (violent convulsions)
- Easily confused and slow to react
What should you do about the symptoms?
Once you discover the flu symptoms you should visit the doctor immediately and get the appropriate treatment that is necessary.
There is a high chance that you would spread the disease to others and hence it is advisable that you make the following a habit to prevent the spread of flu.
- Obstruct the spread of the microorganisms when you sneeze or cough. This can be done by covering your mouth and nose with the help of a handkerchief, tissue or your hand. You should also ensure that the tissues are properly disposed in the trashcans.
- Make it a practice to wash your hands frequently with soap or sanitizers with alcohol.
- You can prevent yourself from the attacks by not touching your nose, eyes or mouth with your hands.
- Stay away from people who are sick
- In case you are sick, please take rest at home to avoid spreading the disease to others. Even after your fever has reduced try to stay home for at least a period of 24 hrs.