The Flu

Influenza – FLU

Influenza, also known as the flu, is a contagious disease that is caused by the influenza virus.  Infection with influenza viruses can result in severe illness and life-threatening complications.  However, most people recover within one or two weeks.

Symptoms and Diagnosis
When flu viruses enter the nose, throat, or lungs of a person, they begin to multiply, causing symptoms of flu.

Flu usually comes on suddenly and its symptoms may include:

  • High fever

  • Headache

  • Tiredness/weakness, which can be extreme

  • Dry cough

  • Sore throat

  • Runny nose

  • Body or muscle aches

  • Diarrhea and vomiting can also occur, but are more common in children.

Colds and flu are both highly contagious and in the initial stages a bad cold and a mild case of the flu might seem alike. However, unlike colds, the flu is a serious illness that can have life threatening complications.

You can click here for more information about the Flu and You.

Facing Up To The Flu Season

How to Tell What Ails You

SYMPTOMS

COLD

FLU

PNEUMONIA

FEVER

Rare

100.4 – 104 degrees, sudden onset, lasts 3-4 days

May or may not be high

ACHES/PAINS

Slight

Usual, often severe

Occasional

FATIGUE/ WEAKNESS

Quite mild

Extreme

May occur

RUNNY/STUFFY NOSE

Common

Sometimes

Not characteristic

SNEEZING

Usual

Sometimes

Not characteristic

SORE THROAT

Common

Sometimes

Not characteristic

CHEST PAIN, COUGH

Mild to moderate

Can become severe

Frequent/may be severe

Information provided by Employee Health at Wayne Memorial Hospital, Oct. 2007.