Flu Symptoms

Flu Symptoms (a contagious viral infection with symptoms that include fever, body aches, sore throat, cough, stuffy or runny nose and headache)

Emergent Care - Have you identified one or more of the following symptoms?

Shortness of breath or respirations that are either difficult, shallow, rapid accompanied bywheezing occurs
Facial pain, fever plus any of the following: severe headache, stiff neck, vomiting, vision changes (blurring, light sensitivity, flashing lights), irritability
Fever with coughing up thick, bloody mucus and chest pain
Signs of dehydration (little or no fluid intake, little or no urine output, dry mouth, sunken eyes)
High fever (104 F or above) that does not respond to fever-reducing medication

Yes No

Seek Immediate Medical Attention!
These symptoms can be life-threatening.

The elderly and individuals with chronic disease should receive an annual flu shot

Coughing and sneezing transmits the flu virus

Symptoms of the flu are more severe than a cold

The fever may range between 101 F - 104 F and can last up to 4 days

The flu lasts approximately 5-7 days

Treatment for the flu includes relieving the symptoms

Antibiotics will not cure the flu

To prevent the spread of germs, wash hands, use separate eating utensils, cover mouth when coughing or sneezing

Individuals with a history of asthma, emphysema, high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney, thyroid disease or other chronic disease should contact their Health Care Provider before taking any over the counter over the counter (OTC) medication

Urgent Care - Have you identified one or more of the following symptoms?

Fever of 101 F or above and a history of chronic disease (asthma, emphysema, diabetes, HIV etc.) or who are elderly
Fever with cough that brings up or facial pain
Yellow/green or bloody nasal drainage or mucus
Ear pain or discharge (fluid running from ears)
Chest pain when breathing in accompanied by fever
Symptoms continue after 5-7 days of self-management

Yes No

Contact Your Health Care Provider.

Self-Management - You can help in the following ways:

Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) for fever, headache and body aches, if no reasons to the contrary
Increase rest
Take temperature
Increase fluids to 10-12 8-oz. glasses per day, if no reasons to the contrary
Cool mist humidifier to relieve congestion
Decongestant (Sudafed) to relieve congestion
Cough suppressant-containing dextromethophan (Robitussin DM) to calm a dry cough
Expectorant containing guaifenesin (Robitussin) to loosen mucus if cough is productive
Salt water gargle (1/2 tsp. to 8-oz. warm water) every 2 hours, repeat as necessary
Throat lozenges, antiseptic spray (Sucrets, Cepastat, Chloraseptic) to soothe throat irritation
Avoid smoking and smoked filled rooms

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Call Your Health Care Provider If:

You do not get better, new symptoms appear, you are concerned in any way or you have questions.