The 4 Signs You Have The Flu, Not Just A Cold — And What To Do Next?

It’s that time of year again when sniffles and sneezes fill the air. You might be thinking, “Do I have a cold or the flu?” The two illnesses share many symptoms, so it can be hard to know for sure. And because the flu can be more serious than a cold, it’s important to be able to tell the difference. In this blog post, we will explore the four signs that you have the flu and what to do next. We will also discuss how to prevent getting the flu in the first place.

What are the signs you have the flu and not just a cold?

If you have the flu, you will likely feel some or all of these symptoms:

-Fever
-Cough
-Sore throat
-Runny nose
-Body aches
-Headache
-Fatigue
-Vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children)

Cold symptoms are usually milder than flu symptoms and don’t include a fever. You may also have a cold if your sore throat is accompanied by sneezing, a stuffy nose, and watery eyes.

The 4 Signs

If you experience any of the following four symptoms, chances are you have the flu and not just a cold. In which case, you should consult a doctor and follow their recommended course of treatment.

1. A sudden onset of symptoms: With the flu, symptoms tend to come on suddenly and without warning. A cold, on the other hand, usually starts gradually.

2. High fever: This is one of the most telltale signs of the flu. If your temperature is above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius), it’s likely you have the flu and not just a cold.

3. Severe body aches: Flu-related body aches are often much more severe than those associated with a cold. If you can’t get out of bed because of muscle pain, it’s probably the flu.

4. Fatigue: Feeling excessively tired is another common symptom of the flu. Cold-related fatigue is usually less intense and comes on gradually rather than all at once like with the flu.

What To Do Next?

1.If your symptoms include a fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or above, influenza is the likely culprit. But how can you tell if it’s just a cold?

2. Check your temperature. A fever is one of the hallmarks of the flu, and usually one of the first signs that something more than a cold is going on. If you have a thermometer at home, take your temperature to see if it’s above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. (Be sure to use an oral thermometer for accurate readings.)

3. Examine your other symptoms. In addition to a fever, other common flu symptoms include muscle aches and pains, fatigue, headache, sore throat, and a dry or hacking cough. Cold symptoms are usually milder and may include a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, and watery eyes.

4. Consider how long you’ve been sick. Flu symptoms tend to come on suddenly and be more severe than cold symptoms. Colds tend to develop gradually over a few days and then peak after 1-2 weeks.

5. Talk to your doctor if you’re unsure. If you’re still not sure whether you have the flu or a cold, contact your doctor or urgent care center for guidance on what to do next.

How to prevent the flu

The flu is a serious respiratory illness that can lead to hospitalization and even death. Every year, millions of people get sick with the flu, and many of them are children. The best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine every year.

Flu vaccines help protect against three or four different influenza viruses that are most likely to cause disease in the upcoming season. They are made using either inactivated (killed) viruses or only a single protein from the virus (subunit vaccine).

CDC recommends everyone 6 months of age and older get a yearly flu vaccine as soon as it becomes available each year. It takes about two weeks for the body to build protection against influenza after getting vaccinated. That’s why it’s better to get vaccinated early in the fall, before the flu season really gets underway. However, as long as influenza viruses are circulating, it’s not too late to get vaccinated.

There are many different types of flu vaccines available today. Some are injected into muscle (intramuscularly), some are sprayed into nose (intranasally), and some are given by jet injector. There also are egg-free vaccines for people who have an egg allergy; these vaccines either use an alternative process to prepare the vaccine or they use only a single protein from the virus instead of a whole virus particle. Vaccine manufacturers produce both trivalent (three component) and quadrivalent (four component)

When To See A Doctor

If you think you might have the flu, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible. The sooner you start treatment, the better your chances of recovery.

Flu symptoms can come on suddenly and are usually worse than cold symptoms. If you have the flu, you may feel feverish, tired, and weak. You may also have a dry cough, headache, sore throat, and muscle aches.

It’s important to see a doctor if you have any of these symptoms and they are severe. You should also see a doctor if you have the flu and are at high risk for complications from the flu, such as pneumonia. These groups include pregnant women, young children, people with chronic medical conditions like heart disease or diabetes, and people 65 years and older.

If you have mild flu symptoms and are not at high risk for complications, you may be able to treat yourself at home with over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain relief and fever reduction. You can also drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated and get rest to help your body recover from the virus.

Conclusion

If you think you may have the flu, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible. The sooner you start treatment, the sooner you’ll feel better and be on your way to recovery. In the meantime, there are some things you can do at home to help ease your symptoms, like getting plenty of rest and drinking lots of fluids. Stay warm and dry, and hopefully you’ll be feeling back to your old self in no time.