Medication
When to go to the ER. Fever and cold symptoms can turn into influenza symptoms if you aren’t feeling any better as the days progress, or if the symptoms quickly escalate. In addition to typical common cold symptoms (fatigue, chills, body aches, etc.), high fevers in adults are usually a good indicator of a viral cold or potential flu.
Self-care
on April 14, 2020 Most people don't go to the doctor when they have a cold or even the flu. In most cases, staying at home, resting, hydrating, and taking over-the-counter medications is all that's needed. But there are also times when certain symptoms warrant a visit to a doctor or even the emergency room.
Nutrition
People with flu are most contagious in the first three to four days after their illness begins. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick. Children and some people with weakened immune systems may pass the virus for longer than 7 days.
When to go to hospital with flu symptoms?
When to Call the Doctor
- Coughing up blood
- Croup, which causes a loud barking cough
- Wheezing
- Trouble breathing, shortness of breath, or rapid breathing
- Pain or pressure in the chest
- Confusion
- Bluish-colored lips or nails
- High fever
- Convulsions from fever (this usually affects children)
- Fever or cough that becomes severe or won’t go away
When to see the MD if you have the flu?
When are you most contagious when you have the flu?
When to contact your doctor about flu symptoms?
How long should you have the flu before seeing a doctor?
How to treat the flu. If you don't see a doctor within the first 48 hours of symptoms, antiviral treatment for the flu is less likely to shorten the duration or reduce the symptoms of the infection. However, antiviral treatment may still be given if you have a high risk of complications.
Do you need to see a doctor for the flu?
Most people who have the flu (influenza) have a mild illness and don't need to see a doctor. Common flu signs and symptoms include: Fever above 100 F (38 C), though not everyone with the flu has a fever. A cough or sore throat.
How do you know when flu is serious?
You might have:Fever above 100 F.Severe aches in your muscles and joints.Weakness or severe fatigue.Warm, flushed skin and red, watery eyes.Chills.A headache.A dry cough.A sore throat and runny nose.
What can a doctor do for you if you have the flu?
Usually, you'll need nothing more than rest and plenty of fluids to treat the flu. But if you have a severe infection or are at higher risk of complications, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral drug to treat the flu.
Does flu get worse before it gets better?
For people who do not develop serious flu complications, symptoms usually last 3–7 days . 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.
How do I know if I have the flu or Covid?
Both the flu and COVID-19 cause a cough and shortness of breath, but overall, COVID-19 symptoms tend to last longer than the flu. Medical experts say COVID-19 symptoms may last for several weeks if not months. Shortness of breath can also come later with COVID-19 and becomes more severe and long-lasting than the flu.
Why does flu get worse at night?
At night, there is less cortisol in your blood. As a result, your white blood cells readily detect and fight infections in your body at this time, provoking the symptoms of the infection to surface, such as fever, congestion, chills, or sweating. Therefore, you feel sicker during the night.
How can I recover from flu faster?
12 Tips for a Speedy Flu RecoveryStay home. Your body needs time and energy to fight off the flu virus, which means that your daily routine should be put on the backburner. ... Hydrate. ... Sleep as much as possible. ... Ease your breathing. ... Eat healthy foods. ... Add moisture to the air. ... Take OTC medications. ... Try elderberry.More items...
How effective is Tamiflu?
"One of the problems is that Tamiflu is seen by the public as a drug that will save you from all cases of the flu," he says. "Tamiflu can decrease the duration of illness by 30% to 40%, and decrease flu severity by about 40% -- but only if taken in the first 36 to 48 hours of illness.
Should I go to urgent care if I have the flu?
Most of the time, you can go to urgent care for flu treatment. However, if you experience any emergency warning signs of the flu, you should call 911 or contact your doctor immediately to find where to go for medical care.
Do you need antibiotics for flu?
Remember, over-the-counter medicines may provide temporary relief of symptoms, but they will not cure your illness. Antibiotics won't help if you have flu.
Will urgent care prescribe Tamiflu?
What your urgent care doctor can do for the flu. If your flu is detected early (usually within two days of getting sick), your urgent care doctor may prescribe antiviral treatment such as Tamiflu.
What does it mean when your fever won't go away?
If it won't go away it might mean you've got another infection in your body that needs treatment. Generally, a fever for an adult is a temperature over 100.4 degrees F.
Is it normal to have a sore throat when you swallow?
That's not normal. Although a sore throat can make it hurt a little to swallow, severe pain can be a sign of an infection or injury that needs to be treated by a doctor.
Can sinus congestion go away?
Your congestion and headache won't go away. Colds and allergies that block your nose with mucus can lead to a sinus infection. If your cold medicine doesn't give you relief, see your doctor for more treatment.
What is the warning sign of a flu?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a flu-related fever that improves but suddenly returns or worsens is the key warning sign that you should seek medical attention. 2 . The issue is different in kids.
How long does it take for a cold to clear?
Most colds clear up in seven to 10 days. Those that last longer should be always a cause for concern, especially in children.
What temperature should a sore throat be?
However, a severe sore throat should be seen by a doctor if accompanied by a fever over 104 degrees F or if it is interfering with your ability to breathe while sleeping. Symptoms like these could be a sign of a secondary bacterial infection. 6 .
What are the side effects of over the counter cough and cold medicine?
Shortness of breath. Persistent pain or pressure in the chest. Severe weakness. Persistent dizziness or confusion. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises against the use of over-the-counter cough and cold medications in children under 2 due to safety concerns and the lack of proven efficacy. 5 .
How long does it take for mucus to go away from a child?
Cough with bloody mucus. Children three months and under with a fever over 100.4 degrees F should be taken to the emergency room without exception or delay. 4 . Even if symptoms are not severe, you should see a doctor if they persist for more than three weeks or recur.
Does H1N1 cause stomach pain?
Stomach pain is a less common symptom of colds and the flu, but it has become common with certain influenza subtypes like H1N1. With the H1N1 virus, abdominal pain is often accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting.
Can a cold cause headaches?
With colds, they tend to occur when pressure builds in the sinuses and nasal passages. With the flu, headaches are often severe and tend to spread over the forehead and behind the eyes. In most cases, headaches caused by a cold or flu will resolve on their own with the rest of the symptoms.
What to do if you have the flu and fever doesn't break?
Knowing when to seek out a doctor is always a balancing act. Follow these common guidelines to help you in your decision. If you think you have the flu, call your doctor if you've taken fever reducers and your fever doesn't break. Getty Images.
What to do if your cough and fever are worse than before?
If your fever and cough roar back worse than before, you need to seek medical attention, Bergen says. People who have asthma, diabetes, HIV, AIDS, cancer, or another chronic condition, those over 65, and women who are pregnant should seek treatment sooner than an otherwise healthy person, Dr. Kino says.
What to do if you can't replenish fluids?
If you can’t replenish fluids by drinking more, you may need to be given fluids intravenously. Also go to the doctor or the ER for the flu if you seemed to be getting better, but find that your symptoms are returning. If your fever and cough roar back worse than before, you need to seek medical attention, Bergen says.
Why don't you want to let the flu get out of hand?
You don’t want to let the flu get out of hand because it can lead to serious complications. The biggest concern is pneumonia, a serious threat especially for the elderly and those who have other health conditions. The flu can also lead to bronchitis, sinus infections, and ear infections.
What are the red flags for an emergency room?
When to Go to the Emergency Room. These red flags are the same for adults and children. However, with sick kids, seek emergency medical treatment if: Their lips or skin appear bluish. They can’t wake up or interact with you. They have a high fever with a rash. What’s considered a high fever varies with age.
Can a doctor treat you over the phone?
Your doctor may even be able to treat you over the phone, Bergen says. If the flu has been reported in your area and your doctor believes that’s what you have, he or she may prescribe antiviral flu drugs. If taken early on, these drugs may shorten its course.
Is 102 a high fever?
What’s considered a high fever varies with age. “Children tolerate high fevers better than adults, but 102 is a significant fever, especially for adults,” Dr. Bergen says. If you’ve taken fever reducers and your fever doesn’t break, you need to call your doctor, Bergen says.
How to help a person with the flu?
If you do come down with the flu, these measures may help ease your symptoms: Drink plenty of liquids. Choose water, juice and warm soups to prevent dehydration. Rest. Get more sleep to help your immune system fight infection. You may need to change your activity level, depending on your symptoms.
What to take for achiness from influenza?
Consider pain relievers. Use an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), to combat the achiness associated with influenza.
How long should you stay home with a fever?
To help control the spread of influenza in your community, stay home and keep sick children home until fever has been gone for 24 hours. Avoid being around other people until you're feeling better, unless you're getting medical care. If you do need to leave your home and get medical care, wear a face mask.
Can you take zanamivir with asthma?
Oseltamivir is an oral medication. Zanamivir is inhaled through a device similar to an asthma inhaler and shouldn't be used by anyone with certain chronic respiratory problems, such as asthma and lung disease.
Do you need to be tested for influenza?
During times when influenza is widespread, you may not need to be tested for influenza. Your doctor may diagnose you based on your signs and symptoms. In some cases, your doctor may suggest that you be tested for influenza. He or she may use various tests to diagnose influenza. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing is becoming more common in many ...
I think I have the flu. Should I see my doctor?
Most people who have the flu (influenza) have a mild illness and don't need to see a doctor. Common flu signs and symptoms include:
Who needs to see a doctor?
If you or someone you're caring for is at high risk of flu-related complications and you suspect the flu, call the doctor. For those at high risk of flu-related complications or who have severe flu, there's a greater chance that the flu might lead to pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections, and, rarely, hospitalization or death.
What temperature should an adult call the doctor?
An adult should call the doctor if he or she: Starts to feel unusually short of breath; Starts to cough up yellow, green or brown sputum; Starts to get a sharp pain in the chest every time he or she takes in a deep breath; Gets a bad earache; Has a fever above 103 degrees Fahrenheit;
What does it mean when you have a fever?
Has a fever above 103 degrees Fahrenheit; Starts to feel lightheaded, or actually passes out; Has a serious chronic disease like heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease or diabetes, or has medical conditions or takes medicines that suppress the immune system.
Do you need to contact your doctor if you are sick?
That's why, even though you feel really sick, you usually don't need to contact your doctor. However, sometimes the flu virus overwhelms the body's defenses, and a person develops pneumonia. This happens more often to people who have a chronic illness, but it also can happen to healthy adults.
Is the flu a minor illness?
A lot of people think the flu is like the common cold, a minor and temporary illness. It's not. Just getting the flu makes anyone feel really sick for a few days. You feel physically weak, you have no energy, you ache all over, you have a fever.
How many weeks postpartum are you at risk for the flu?
You’re at a higher risk of flu complications and should seek medical treatment right away if you fall into one of these categories: women who are up to two weeks postpartum . children younger than 5, but especially those younger than age 2.
What to do if you don't have asthma?
Even if you don’t have asthma, chest pain, or symptoms that have returned, if you’re ill with the flu virus and you feel something isn’t quite right, you should seek medical attention. Last medically reviewed on November 19, 2018.
What age can you take over the counter medicine?
people who are obese with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more. people of Native American (American Indian or Alaska Native) descent. If you’re over the age of 2, you can use over-the-counter (OTC) medications to ease your symptoms at the start. However, it’s more important to see a doctor immediately.
Can you breathe with the flu?
Being sick with flu shouldn’t affect your breathing. It could be a sign of a something more serious, such as pneumonia, an infection of the lungs. Pneumonia is a common and potentially serious complication of flu. It causes up to 49,000 deaths.
Can you vomit if you have the flu?
Vomiting depletes your body of fluids, making it difficult to get well from the flu. Because of this, you should call your doctor to get examined. Vomiting or not being able to keep liquids down could also be a sign of sepsis, a serious flu-related complication. If not treated immediately, sepsis can lead to organ failure.
Can you take antiviral medication with a child under 2?
Parents of children under 2 should consult a pediatrician before giving them OTC medications. Antiviral drugs can only be prescribed by a doctor or healthcare provider. Taking antiviral medications within two days of getting sick has been shown to lessen symptoms and shorten the length of the illness by one day.
