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Symptoms Of Influenza

Last Updated: Apr 09, 2020

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One of the most common symptoms of influenza is body aches and chills. If a person is suffering from influenza then body aches can occur anywhere in the body. A person might experience aches in back, legs and head. Body aches are most often accompanied by chills. However, chills may be developed even before a person suffers from fever. The chills can be reduced by covering oneself in a blanket as it increases the body temperature and chills get reduced. A doctor may prescribe some over the counter pain medications as well.

Cough

If a person is suffering from cough that is persistent then it might be an indication of illness. It can also be considered as an sign of influenza. A person might cough phlegm or mucus, but is rare in the stages of influenza. If a person suffering from influenza notices colored phlegm then it must be reported to the doctor immediately. Taking some cough medicines can help provide relief in cough. The throat should be kept hydrated with lots of water and tea.

Sore throat

A sore throat can be developed is a person is coughing due to influenza. There may some virus in which the throat might get swollen even without any cough. In this symptom the throat of a person might feel like irritated and scratchy. There may also be a strange sensation when someone is swallowing drinks or food. As the virus progresses the condition of sore throat worsens. There are a lot of natural remedies which can be used for getting relief from the problem of sore throat.

Fever

One of the indications that a body is fighting an infection is when a person suffers from fever. The fevers that are related to influenza are usually higher than 100F. Fever can be considered as one of the most common symptoms of influenza however, every individual who suffers from influenza might not have fever. A doctor may prescribe medications like acetaminophen for reducing the fever however; these medicines are in effective in curing influenza or its virus.

Gastrointestinal problems

Some of the symptoms of influenza might spread to the gastrointestinal tract. There are some strains of influenza that might cause severe vomiting, pain in the stomach, diarrhea and nausea. It is not necessary that every person that is suffering from influenza has some gastrointestinal problem. However, if a person experiences such problems then a doctor must be consulted immediately.

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chest pain

Influenza virus can cause inflammation in the middle layer of the heart known as myocardium. This inflammation can lead to chest pain in patients. One of the most common causes of chest pain due to viral infections like influenza is inflammation of pericarditis. Most of time the condition gets resolved by itself however, the problem of chest pain should never be taken lightly as emergency medical attention is required if a person encounters any such difficulty.

breathing difficulties

Stuffy nose and inflamed airways due to influenza can make breathing very difficult. This difficulty in breathing can be caused due to other condition as well like sinusitis, and excessive mucus in the airways. Sometimes the influenza virus can lead to respiratory infections as well. these respiratory infections may cause difficulty in breathing. A doctor must be consulted immediately in such condition.

bluish skin and lips

Influenza is a progressive disease if it does not get treated effectively. If the symptoms of influenza worse than it may lead to skin and lips turning into blue color. This change in color of the lips and skin is due to lack of appropriate oxygen supply. Due to influenza the air passage gets blocked which leads to less oxygen being supplied to the lungs and blood which leads to the skin turning bluish. It is a medical emergency and if a person notices blue colored skin then he/she must consult the doctor immediately.

severe dehydration

If a person is suffering from influenza then it puts him/her at an increased risk of suffering from dehydration. The problem of dehydration occurs when a person loses more water in comparison to the water intake. Influenza brings about a change in the temperature of the body which further leads to enhanced metabolism. There are strains of influenza that cause symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting which leads to quick loss of fluids. In case of severe dehydration a doctor must be consulted immediately.

dizziness and confusion

When the body of a person is infected by a virus of influenza then it becomes weak. In order to fight the infection the energy is transferred from other parts of the body to the immune system. This affects the nervous system of an individual leading to a person feeling dizzy. When a person is suffering from influenza he/she does not feel like drinking or eating anything this is the main cause of dizziness and confusion. Also dehydration in influenza can lead to dizziness and confusion in a person.

recurring fever

Virus of influenza can lead to condition of known as viral pneumonia which is a condition in which a person may have fever which is recurrent in nature which means the fever never goes away completely and keeps on returning with an increased intensity. A doctor must be consulted immediately if the fever is not going away.

worsening cough

When cough does not go away even after two or three weeks then it might mean there may be some other medical condition that is developing. This worsening of cough can be due to severe congestion in the lungs. If the normal cough relief medicines stop working then it is essential that a doctor must be consulted immediately.

References

  • Monto AS, Gravenstein S, Elliott M, Colopy M, Schweinle J. Clinical signs and symptoms predicting influenza infection. Archives of internal medicine. 2000 Nov 27;160(21):3243-7. [Cited 06 April 2020]. Available from:
  • Van den Dool C, Hak E, Wallinga J, Van Loon AM, Lammers JW, Bonten MJ. Symptoms of influenza virus infection in hospitalized patients. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology. 2008 Apr;29(4):314-9. [Cited 06 April 2020]. Available from:
  • Sridhar S, Begom S, Bermingham A, Hoschler K, Adamson W, Carman W, Bean T, Barclay W, Deeks JJ, Lalvani A. Cellular immune correlates of protection against symptomatic pandemic influenza. Nature medicine. 2013 Oct;19(10):1305. [Cited 06 April 2020]. Available from:

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    Written ByDrx Hina FirdousPhD (Pharmacology) Pursuing, M.Pharma (Pharmacology), B.Pharma - Certificate in Nutrition and Child CarePharmacology
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    Reviewed ByDr. Bhupindera Jaswant SinghMD - Consultant PhysicianGeneral Physician
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