Symptoms of Influenza
The flu is more severe than a bad cold and although symptoms are similar at first there are differences. Cold symptoms only last from two to a few days, whereas the flu lasts longer. The flu causes a high fever, whereas a cold sometimes causes only a mild fever. Muscular pains and shivering attacks occur with the flu, but not with a cold and colds cause a runny nose, while the flu usually starts with a dry sensation in the nose and throat. Type C influenza has cold-like symptoms in children and it is extremely difficult to determine the difference.
Symptoms of influenza can start quite suddenly one to two days after infection. Usually the first symptoms are chills or a chilly sensation, but fever is also common early in the infection, with body temperatures ranging from 38 to 39 °C . Many people are so ill that they are confined to bed for several days, with aches and pains throughout their bodies, which are worse in their backs and legs. These symptoms vary depending on what type of virus is caught. Symptoms of influenza may include:
Symptoms of influenza can start quite suddenly one to two days after infection. Usually the first symptoms are chills or a chilly sensation, but fever is also common early in the infection, with body temperatures ranging from 38 to 39 °C . Many people are so ill that they are confined to bed for several days, with aches and pains throughout their bodies, which are worse in their backs and legs. These symptoms vary depending on what type of virus is caught. Symptoms of influenza may include:
- Fever and chills, shivering, shaking
- Cough
- Nasal congestion
- Runny nose
- Body aches, especially joints and throat
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Irritated, watering eyes
- Reddened eyes, skin (especially face), mouth, throat and nose
- Petechial rash
- In children, gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhoea and abdominal pain (may be severe in children with influenza B)