11-02-2005, 01:57 PM
|
#4 (permalink)
|
|
Kick Ass Kunoichi
|
Quote:
What is influenza (flu)?
Influenza (flu) is a viral upper respiratory illness that comes on suddenly, causing symptoms such as fever, body aches, headache, fatigue, loss of appetite, a dry cough, and a sore or dry throat. The flu is not the same as the common cold; flu symptoms are usually more severe, and you will often miss more work or school than you would with a cold.
The symptoms of influenza (flu) appear suddenly and often include:
* Fever of 100 °F(37.8 °C) to 104 °F(40 °C), which can reach 106 °F(41.1 °C) when symptoms first develop. Fever is usually continuous, but it may come and go. Fever may be lower in older adults than in children and younger adults.
* Shaking chills.
* Body aches and muscle pain (often severe), commonly in the back, arms, or legs.
* Headache.
* Pain when you move your eyes.
* Fatigue, a general feeling of sickness (malaise), and loss of appetite.
* A dry cough, runny nose, and a dry or sore throat. You may not notice these during the first few days of the illness when other symptoms are more severe. As your fever goes away, these symptoms may become more evident.
When fever is high, other symptoms usually are more severe.
|
http://www.webmd.com/hw/cold_and_flu/hw122014.asp
Cold vs. Flu: http://www.webmd.com/content/pages/5/4068_192.htm
If you're not running a fever, it's not the flu. There are LOTS of illnesses out there that come with "flu-like" symptoms. If you're sick for more than three days (and show no improvement after home treatment of symptoms) and/or sick enough to miss work/school, go to the doctor.
__________________
If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau
|
|
|