Flu Like Symptoms
The flu is one of the most common diseases that people can get. It used to be dangerous before modern medicine, but it is now something that is usually easily dealt with, but it should still not be treated with complacency. The condition comes with a number of unwelcome symptoms, and the severity of those conditions will vary.
Because the flu is such a common disease, its symptoms are often referred to when discussing other, unrelated diseases. This gives birth to the term “flu-like” symptoms, which is something that most people will be able to relate to. Here are some of the symptoms that we associate with the flu.
1. Fever
Many things can cause a fever. With so many possibilities, it is almost impossible to say we have the flu from a fever alone but, still, the flu is often the first thing we think of when a fever develops. A fever is caused by our immune system as a method of protecting itself against pathogens. Because a fever is so closely associated with the flu, however, it is often still described as a flu-like symptom, even when caused by other diseases.
2. Chills
This is the uncomfortable sensation that you are very cold regardless of the temperature of the environment you are in. Patients will also often find themselves shivering, even though their bodies might be burning up. While chills will make a lot of people think they have the flu, there is a wide range of other potential reasons for them.
It can be easy to overlook the symptom, especially in adults, but if the symptoms are too severe then it is a good idea to seek medical advice.
3. Muscle Aches
When we first start feeling a little ill, we will often suspect it is one of two things: the common cold, or the flu. It can be difficult to tell between the two in the early stages for some people, until a certain symptom arrives that is common for the flu but not so in the common cold. This symptom is aching muscles and joints.
These aches and pains are a result of our white blood cells attacking pathogens with chemicals, and our own body will get caught up in the crossfire. It can be very unpleasant, and it can be caused by a range of conditions.
4. Cough
Coughs can be quite unpleasant to deal with. They can be persistent and uncomfortable, making it difficult for the patient to relax and get any sleep. Another problem with coughs is that they can cause the patient to expel pathogens out from their body, increasing the chances of somebody else contracting the disease.
The cough that is associated with the flu tends to be a dry, raspy type of cough, and a similar cough can be found in people with other diseases. Medication and remedies are available that can help to soothe the patient’s symptoms, while the underlying cause should also be addressed where possible.
5. Sore Throat
Many people who have contracted the flu will find that they develop a sore throat. It is a symptom that can be quite painful and difficult to bear, especially for young children. It can be made even worse if a cough is present, which is often the case when somebody has the flu.
A sore throat does not necessarily mean somebody has the flu, of course, but it is widely considered to be a flu-like symptom.
6. Runny Nose
When you get the flu, there is a good chance that you will need to keep a box of tissues nearby. This is because, when we are sick, our immune system will begin to send the production of our nasal mucous (snot) into overdrive. It can also be because the nasal lining becomes irritated and inflamed, also leading to excess mucus production.
A runny nose is more commonly associated with the common cold than with the flu, but some people with flu do get the symptom. Some patients will also get a stuffy nose, and this is caused when inflammation of the nasal passage causes it to become blocked.
7. Headaches
Some of us are fortunate enough to only get headaches quite rarely. Others, however, can get headaches more frequently and it can have quite an impact on their quality of life. There are countless potential reasons for headaches and getting the flu is one of them.
Despite the potential causes of a headache being so widespread, it is still often considered to be a flu-like symptom when it is accompanied by other symptoms of the flu.
8. Sleeping Difficulties
When we are ill, it is a good idea to get as much rest as we can. This is because it will help to free up resources that can then be used by our immune system to help fight against whatever it is that is making us ill. Depending on the illness, however, this can be easier said than done.
Some people with the flu will find it difficult to sleep at night. This is largely down to other symptoms such as a cough, runny nose, and aching muscles. People with other diseases will often complain of the same problem and difficulty sleeping is often spoken about as a flu-like symptom.
9. Vomiting
Vomiting is another symptom that is common among numerous different types of illness. For a lot of people, it can be the most unpleasant of all the symptoms they have. This depends on their other symptoms and their severity, of course. Vomiting is not a particularly common symptom in adults with flu, but it does happen.
It is a much more common symptom in children, however. Too much vomiting can lead to problems like malnutrition and dehydration, while the patient might also suffer from diarrhea.
10. Fatigue
Nobody will be feeling at their best when they are ill. In addition to the various unpleasant symptoms they are likely to be experiencing, patients that are ill are also likely to be feeling generally run down and tired. Being sick can take a lot out of us, leaving us feeling quite fatigued.
Fatigue is a symptom that many people will feel regardless of what is ailing them but, still, it is often considered to be a flu-like symptom. The symptom should clear up once the underlying cause has been addressed, leaving the patient feeling fully refreshed and full of energy again.
