Flu Symptoms

Common Flu Symptoms

Unlike cold symptoms, signs of the flu tend to come on suddenly. You might have:

• Fever above 100 F
• Severe aches in your muscles and joints
• Weakness or severe fatigue
• Warm, flushed skin and red, watery eyes
• Chills
• A headache
• A dry cough
• A sore throat and runny nose

Adults with seasonal flu don’t usually have stomach problems like vomiting or diarrhea, but children sometimes do.

Get medical help right away if you have:

• Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in your chest or belly
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe vomiting

These symptoms can mean your illness is severe.

Flu Symptoms vs. Cold Symptoms

The symptoms of colds and flu can be a lot alike. Here’s how to tell which one is making you sick:

• Fever. It can last 3 or 4 days with the flu; it’s rare with a cold.
• Aches. They might be severe with the flu; they’re mild with a cold.
• Chills. You’re likely to have them with the flu, but they’re rare with a cold.
• Fatigue. This is common with the flu and happens sometimes with a cold.
• Sneezing. You’re more likely to have this with a cold than with the flu.
• Cough and chest discomfort. This is common with both but tends to be severe with the flu.
• Stuffy nose. This sometimes happens with the flu but is common with a cold.
• Sore throat. This can be common with the flu but is more likely with a cold.
• Headache. This is common when you have the flu but rare with a cold.

How to Treat Flu Symptoms

In most cases, the best things to do when you have the flu are:

• Rest at home.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Avoid contact with other people.

Your doctor might give you prescription medications called antiviral drugs if you’re at higher risk of complications, such as if you:

• Are very sick or have other medical conditions
• Are younger than 2 or older than 65
• Have a weak immune system
• Are pregnant
• Are a Native American or an Alaska Native

These medicines -- baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza), oseltamivir (Tamiflu), peramivir (Rapivab), and zanamivir (Relenza) -- work best when you take them 48 hours or less after your symptoms start. If you take them during this window, they can cut your illness short by a day. They can also help after 48 hours if your illness is severe.