How can I avoid the flu? I think I have the flu — should I see a doctor? When to seek medical attention How can I avoid giving the flu to other people?
What medications should I take for the flu? Tips for buying over-the-counter medications Looking after yourself when you have the flu Other useful tips for flu recovery Where to get help. It is estimated that flu contributes to more than 3, deaths in Australia each year.
Other symptoms can be: chills aching behind the eyes loss of appetite sore throat runny or stuffy nose. Having the flu is even more likely if you have been in contact with someone who already has it. Diagnosing flu Flu, and other kinds of viruses, can only be confirmed by a doctor after a nose or throat swab has returned positive results.
What to expect with the flu Symptoms of the flu 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. Hoarse, dry or sore throat, cough and possible mild chest discomfort become more noticeable. You may feel tired or flat. Day 8: Symptoms decrease. Cough and tiredness may last one to two weeks or more. What about flu complications? The flu can also make some existing medical conditions worse.
People at higher risk of severe complications associated with the flu include: pregnant women people aged over 65 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people children under 5 years people with chronic medical conditions. When to seek medical attention See your doctor if you have any concerns. 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.
Although fever and the most severe symptoms typically resolve within a week, some people have low energy for up to 2 weeks, and it is possible to experience a cough for up to 8 weeks. The flu shot reduces the risk of getting the flu but does not eliminate it. However, people who still get the flu after receiving a shot tend to have less severe symptoms that last for a shorter period.
Antiviral drugs, such as oseltamivir Tamiflu , can also shorten the length of the flu and lower the risk of serious complications. Infants and very young children, older adults, and people with respiratory diseases may have symptoms that last longer. These individuals are also more vulnerable to serious flu complications, such as pneumonia and breathing difficulties. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC , about , people in the United States need to go to the hospital each year as a result of the flu.
Flu complications are unlikely to resolve on their own, and they can be a medical emergency. They may require a person to stay in the hospital. It can be weeks or even months before a person recovers from serious flu complications.
Unlike the cold and other viruses, which present gradually, flu symptoms tend to appear suddenly. Within a few hours, a person may transition from feeling fine to having a fever and other symptoms. A high fever occurs more commonly with the flu than with a cold, and it often appears before other symptoms. The symptoms tend to peak between days 2 and 4. By day 5, some people begin to feel better. A few feel well enough to return to work or school. As harsh as the flu can be, the good news is that most people feel much better within one to two weeks.
Most healthy adults become contagious the day before symptoms develop which makes it trickier to prevent from spreading. They remain infectious for up to five to seven days after symptoms appear. However, children and those with weakened immune systems may be contagious for an even longer period. Also, talk to your doctor before giving your child nonprescription cold medicines since some medicines contain ingredients that are not recommended for children.
What is influenza, aka the flu? How does the flu spread? The droplets also can land on things like doorknobs or shopping carts, infecting people who touch them.
The flu is very contagious. People can spread it from a day before they feel sick until their symptoms are gone. This is about 1 week for adults, but it can be longer for young kids. The flu usually happens in annual epidemics. An epidemic is when an illness spreads quickly and infects lots of people in an area at the same time. Some years the epidemic is more severe and widespread than others. An epidemic that spreads worldwide is called a pandemic. This is far less common.
There were three influenza pandemics in the 20th century, and one so far in the 21st century, in with influenza A H1N1. During the coronavirus pandemic, experts found that wearing masks can help protect the community from the spread of germs. They recommended that all children age 2 and up wear a mask when out in public or around people who don't live with them.
Wearing masks can also help stop the spread of flu. Often, how a child looks is enough for health care providers to diagnose the flu. Kids who have it usually look ill and miserable. Other infections can cause symptoms similar to the flu. So if health care providers need to be sure that someone has influenza, they might do a test. They'll take a sample of mucus by wiping a long cotton swab inside the nose or throat.
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