Symptoms of influenza and cold seem to be similar, but the symptoms for influenza are more severe and can last longer than for that of cold. The common symptoms of flu are fever, dry cough, chills and sore throat. It is possible for the virus to spread even before the symptoms show up in an infected person and for 3-4 days after the appearance of symptoms. When infected with the flu virus, the symptoms normally appear after 1-4 days.
The flu symptoms that appear soon after infection are fever, dry coughs, sore throat, chills, runny/ stuffy nose, muscle aches, headache, and excessive fatigue. The fever starts to decline normally on the second day or sometimes the third day after the illness shows up the symptoms.
There is also something called stomach flu. In stomach flu, the influenza symptoms occur along with nausea, diarrhea and vomiting, mostly in children. In rare cases, gastrointestinal symptoms may occur. Stomach flu is not influenza.
In adults, influenza is accompanied by some complications if bacterial infection occurs simultaneously. This can lead to pneumonia in persons with weak lungs. Yet the flu virus without the bacterial association can cause pneumonia. Unlike other diseases, these complications appear after the common symptoms of influenza subside and the infected person feels far better in health.
After a short period of improvement, symptoms like high fever, severe chest pain that can be felt in each breath, shaking chills and cough that forms thick, yellowish green mucus, etc may occur all of a sudden. Pneumonia can be a life-threatening disease at times. If any of the above symptoms exist, it is highly recommended to meet the healthcare specialist as soon as possible.
In children or young adults, the same complications can occur in addition to the risk of Reye’s syndrome. It is a condition affecting the nerves. It can develop during recovery from flu. It just starts with nausea and vomiting, but mental changes like confusion and delirium may progress. It can frequently occur in younger adults after the intake of aspirin for fever. This occurs rarely but it is recommended to consult a doctor before taking aspirin or similar products. It is good to rely on the doctor for any of the medications to be taken.
Children are more prone to flu complications especially when their immune system is weak. Very young children whose immune system has not yet developed fully and older people whose immune system is weak are unable to fight against influenza and its complications. Hence flu can affect them more easily than people with a good immune system. The other complications in children are croup, ear infections like otitis media, and convulsions due to fever. New born babies who are just out of ICU are more likely to develop flu complications.