Flu Symptoms Versus Symptoms of a Common Cold
Knowing the difference between a common cold and the flu can help not only you but those around you as well. The symptoms of flu can include fever or feeling feverish/chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue (tiredness).
Cold symptoms are usually milder than the symptoms of flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems.
Symptoms and Emergency Warning Signs
The symptoms of flu can include:
- Fever (although not everyone with flu has a fever)
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Body aches
- Headache
- Chills
- Tiredness
- Sometimes diarrhea and vomiting
Emergency warning signs that indicate a person should get medical care right away include:
- In children:
- Fast breathing or difficulty in breathing
- Bluish skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worsened cough
- Fever with rash
- In adults:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worsened cough
- Prevent the Spread of the Flu
The best way to prevent the spread of flu is by washing hands with soap and water for 20 seconds and getting the flu vaccine.
Emphasize to students, parents, and staff the importance of staying home when sick until at least 24-hours after they no longer have a fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.8degrees Celsius, measured by mouth) or signs of a fever (chills, feeling very warm,flushed appearance, or perspiring) without the use of fever-reducing medicine.
Posted: Monday, February 27, 2017