Common Flu Symptoms

The flu, or influenza, is a contagious viral illness that attacks the human respiratory system. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has estimated that 5 to 20% of the population in the U.S. contract the flu every year. Symptoms of the flu are sometimes difficult to distinguish from other viral illness such as the common cold. The common cold rarely results in severe complications, however, but the flu can cause pneumonia and even death.

Symptoms

• The most common flu symptoms are fever, cough, loss of appetite, fatigue, headache, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, chills and body aches.

Time Frame

• Flu symptoms generally start one to two days after exposure to the virus and the illness may last for one of two weeks.

Age

• Although vomiting and diarrhea are not common symptoms of the flu they do occur more often in children infected with the virus.

Considerations

• An individual carrying the flu virus is able to pass that virus one day before symptoms start and up to five days after they experience symptoms.

Warning

• Complications from the flu can be deadly. Symptoms such as a high fever (over 103 F), sharp pain when breathing or a cough with dark phlegm should be evaluated immediately by a physician.