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Sep 20, 2022 · In the United States, flu season usually occurs in the fall and winter. While influenza viruses spread year-round, most of the time flu activity peaks between December and February. The overall health impact (e.g., infections, hospitalizations, and deaths) of flu varies from season to season.
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- A Word from Verywell
Spotting the early signs and symptoms of flucan help you seek treatment that can shorten the course of an infection. The most common early symptoms are: 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 be...
The flu is caused by a family of viruses that affect the respiratory system. Unlike colds, which can be caused by any number of different viruses (including rhinoviruses, adenoviruses, and coronaviruses), flu is caused exclusively by influenza viruses (designated as influenza type A, B, C, or D). When flu symptoms first develop, it may be hard to d...
The flu can usually be diagnosed by symptoms alone, particularly during flu season. This is especially true with the prodromal flu symptoms, during which treatment will often be dispensed presumptively. Even if a rapid influenza diagnostic test (RIDT)is available, the test is not all that sensitive and can regularly return false-negative results. T...
Unlike the common cold, for which there are no drug treatments, the flu can be shortened by a day or two if certain antiviral drugsare 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. Even so, the drugs...
The best way to deal with annual flu outbreaks is to avoid infection. 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.
Aug 29, 2024 · When Is Flu Season? Seasonal flu follows a pattern, starting in the fall and ending in the spring. The first sign is often a sudden rise in the number of school-age kids getting...
Flu signs and symptoms usually come on suddenly. People who are sick with flu often feel some or all of these symptoms: Fever*/feeling feverish or chills; Cough; Sore throat; Runny or stuffy nose; Muscle or body aches; Headaches; Fatigue (tiredness) Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.
- Sudden or excessive fatigue. Shorter days and reduced sunlight can make you feel tired. There’s a difference between being tired and experiencing extreme fatigue.
- Body aches and chills. Body aches and chills are also common flu symptoms. If you’re coming down with the flu virus, you may mistakenly blame body aches on something else, such as a recent workout.
- Cough. A persistent dry cough can indicate an early illness. It may be a warning sign of the flu. The flu virus can also cause a cough with wheezing and chest tightness.
- Sore throat. Flu-related coughing can quickly lead to a sore throat. Some viruses, including influenza, can actually cause a swollen throat without a cough.
Jan 10, 2024 · At first, the flu may seem like a cold with a runny nose, sneezing and sore throat. Colds usually start slowly. But the flu tends to come on quickly. And while a cold can be miserable, you usually feel much worse with the flu. Common symptoms of the flu often — but not always — include a fever as well as aching muscles, chills and sweats.
Mar 29, 2020 · A slight tickle in your throat, body aches, and a sudden fever could be some of the first signs that you’re coming down with the flu. The influenza virus (or flu for...
