There can be times when you may feel tired, lazy, lethargic, achy, and feverish. This may leave you wondering if you have flu. You may catch it during the winter, or if you have not gotten a flu shot.
Emergency room Spring physicians and ER-trained registered nurses can help diagnose the cause of flu-like symptoms and offer appropriate treatments for relief.
An insight into flu
Flu or influenza is an infection that you get from the influenza virus. This viral infection affects your nose, lungs, and throat (together known as the respiratory system). This is most common in the winter months, causing symptoms such as bronchitis, pneumonia, or ear infections.
Symptoms associated with flu
Flu symptoms usually begin quickly and can include:
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Chills
- Fever
- Body aches
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Headache
- Fatigue and lethargy
- Diarrhea or vomiting
- Breathing difficulty
- Shortness of breath
Flu can spread from direct or indirect contact with someone else who is infected. This can be through:
- Infected air droplets
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Touching shared surfaces
- Sharing personal items with the infected person
Diagnosing flu-like symptoms
Diagnosing the cause of flu-like symptoms is essential to design a customized treatment plan. Your doctor will be able to do so by:
- Evaluating your symptoms and the severity
- Reviewing medical history
- Conducting a physical exam
- Checking your vitals like BP, body temperature, heart rate, and pulse
- Using nasal, and throat swabs
- Conducting other diagnostic tests like blood analysis, saliva test, and chest X-rays
Effective treatment options for flu-like symptoms
Treatment for flu is based on the severity of your symptoms and the cause.
Your doctor can recommend the following options according to your individual condition:
Conservative approach
- Rest
- Plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration
- Heat packs for body aches
Medications
- Anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain
- Antipyretics to reduce fever
- Nasal decongestants to relieve stuffy nose
- Cough suppressants
- Expectorants to clear mucus out of your lungs
- Antiviral drugs
- Antibiotics (oral or IV infusion)
Complications arising from flu
If flu symptoms are not treated, complications and secondary infections may include the following:
- Ear and sinus infections
- Pneumonia
- Miscarriage (pregnancy loss)
- Neural tube defects
Takeaway
Flu is a common medical condition that can affect anyone irrespective of age and gender. This may cause a cascade of symptoms, which when ignored can lead to life-threatening complications. Thus, getting your flu shot is the best way to avoid contracting the viral infection.
However, with proper care, rest, and prescription medications you can easily get relief from flu-like symptoms.
