General Flu Symptoms
Influenza, or “the flu,” is a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract (nose, throat and lungs). The flu is often confused with the common cold, but flu symptoms tend to develop quickly (usually 1 to 4 days after a person is exposed to the flu virus) and are usually more severe than the typical sneezing and congestion associated with a cold.
Flu symptoms often include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Extreme tiredness
- Dry cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle aches
Flu Symptoms in Children
If your child becomes sick with the flu, his or her condition can easily deteriorate in a matter of hours. Keep an eye out for any of the following critical symptoms, as it could be a sign that he or she may be ill.
- High and prolonged fever (102 degree or above for more than 72 hours)
- Changes in mental condition, such as not waking up or not interacting; being so moody that the child does not want to be held; or seizures
- Bluish or gray skin color
- Drop in body temperature (hypothermia)
- Difficulty breathing
- Not able to take in the usual amount of fluids
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever or worse cough
- Worsening of underlying medical conditions (for example, heart or lung disease, diabetes)
For more information about the flu, click here.