We’re within the thick of flu season; excessive flu ranges are current in lots of components of the USA proper now. The virus tends to run rampant from October to early Might, with flu exercise peaking from December to February.
Precisely how many individuals get the flu annually within the U.S. is unknown, provided that many individuals get better at dwelling with out medical intervention. Nonetheless, the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention estimates that, since 2010 (excluding the 2020-2021 flu season), tens of tens of millions of individuals within the nation get contaminated yearly.
As we proceed to barrel via this winter, it’s vital to know the indicators of the sickness. Anybody who has been sick with it is aware of that it may be debilitating, disagreeable and downright scary. Under, medical doctors share the most typical flu signs they’re seeing this winter and the way they arrive about:
The flu comes on sooner than different viruses.
“Generally, with the flu, the symptoms usually come on really suddenly,” mentioned Dr. Sindhu Aderson, an instantaneous care doctor at Northwestern Drugs in Chicago.
In contrast to a chilly or COVID-19, you doubtless gained’t have a warning scratchy throat for a day or two. As an alternative, you’ll most likely get hit with issues seemingly out of nowhere. And when evaluating flu signs to colds, colds “may come on more slowly with milder symptoms,” mentioned Dr. S. Wesley Lengthy, the medical director of diagnostic microbiology at Houston Methodist Hospital.
You’ll doubtless cope with a fever, cough and sore throat.
“Flu symptoms are very hard to distinguish from other respiratory viruses also circulating right now,” mentioned Dr. Scott Roberts, an infectious illness physician at Yale Drugs. This contains diseases like COVID and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.
With the flu, you’ll be able to count on the standard suspects.
“Some of the most common symptoms that we see are fever or feeling feverish, chills, cough, sore throat, runny nose,” Aderson mentioned.
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Physique aches and fatigue are frequent.
Muscle aches are quite common in of us contaminated with the flu, Roberts famous. Complications may be frequent, too, Aderson mentioned.
In keeping with the Cleveland Clinic, it’s extra doubtless that you simply’d have physique aches with the flu than with the frequent chilly — and the physique aches related to the flu are sometimes worse.
Fatigue can be continuously reported. The exhaustion you are feeling when you’ve gotten the flu is commonly extra intense than the tiredness that comes with a chilly, and it could additionally really feel like bodily physique weak point.
Signs can look a bit of completely different in youngsters.
“Some people will have vomiting and diarrhea, but that’s generally more common in children than adults,” Aderson mentioned.
Kids additionally could also be extra fussy than normal, in keeping with the Mayo Clinic.
There are issues you are able to do to guard your self, like getting your flu shot.
“The best ways to protect against the flu also will work for many other respiratory viruses,” Roberts mentioned. “These include washing hands, avoiding people who are ill, good ventilation, masking in high-risk settings.”
Past this, the flu shot is a good layer of safety — and it’s not too late within the season to get it both.
“Although the flu shot may not protect against infection, it can limit the severity of symptoms and the length of illness,” Lengthy mentioned, noting that the shot can’t provide the flu, which is a standard false impression.
Should you really feel sick and suspect it’s the flu, it’s vital to get examined and maintain your self.
“If you think you might have the flu, you should get tested, as there are medications that can help shorten the illness,” Lengthy mentioned. “Flu antivirals are different than those used for COVID and will not work against the common cold, so a positive test can be helpful in guiding [treatment].”
You may get examined for the flu at a healthcare facility or can decide up at-home flu exams from pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens.
Those that come down with the flu this season must also drink loads of fluids, take medicines for bothersome signs (like Tylenol for a fever) and get relaxation.
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“If you get sick and are part of a high-risk population, which includes people who are immunocompromised, 65 or older, or have any chronic medical conditions, you should talk to your doctor,” Aderson mentioned. “They can prescribe you flu medication and also make sure you don’t have any severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, dehydration or chest pain.”
Whereas many individuals get better simply effective from the flu, it may be lethal. Upward of 36,000 folks die annually within the U.S. from the flu, and plenty of extra require hospitalization. Should you’re high-risk or discover any of the extreme signs talked about above, it’s vital that you simply alert your doctor so you may get the remedy you want.
