diseases that mimic flu like symptoms

Conditions With Flu-Like Symptoms

• The Common Cold. Like the flu, a cold can wear you down and make you cough, sneeze, and cause a sore throat. ...
• COVID-19. This highly contagious and potentially deadly disease is caused by a different virus than the flu. ...
• HIV. ...
• Lyme Disease. ...
• Encephalitis. ...
Meningitis. ...
Adenoviruses. ...
Pneumonia. ...
Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning. ...

Full Answer

Is a virus that mimics the flu being misdiagnosed and underreported?

Nov 10, 2021 · Here are a few of the more common illnesses that can mimic flu symptoms. 1 The Common Cold Whether it’s a summer cold or a winter cold, colds often bring along their share of misery. A particularly bad cold could mimic some flu symptoms.

Are there any viruses that are similar to flu?

Jan 24, 2020 · 7 Illnesses That Cause Flu-Like Symptoms, But Aren't Flu Colds. Both colds and influenza are viral illnesses, they both tend to occur in the same seasons, and they have many... Strep throat. The flu and strep throat share many symptoms, but there are two you may find in the flu but never in... ...

What is the difference between cold and flu like illness?

Conditions With Flu-Like Symptoms The Common Cold. Like the flu, a cold can wear you down and make you cough, sneeze, and cause a sore throat. Still, a... COVID-19. This highly contagious and potentially deadly disease is caused by a different virus than the …

Is it the flu or the flu-like symptoms?

Nov 10, 2021 · Flu-like symptoms could mean exactly that—the flu—but many conditions, including serious ones, are marked by flu-like symptoms. Learn when flu symptom complications like pneumonia are serious or when to see a doctor for severe flu symptoms or flu symptoms that are not improving.

What diseases give you flu-like symptoms?

These are some of the more common flu-like illnesses.the common cold.pneumonia.strep throat.mononucleosis.bronchitis.respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)and many other viruses that are similar to the flu but are not influenza.

Is there a virus that mimics flu?

Adenoviruses flourish year-round, nursing homes at risk Bugs known as adenoviruses can cause symptoms similar to influenza: fever, headache, body aches and breathing problems. A virus that mimics the symptoms of the flu and may be just as dangerous, especially to older people, is being misdiagnosed and underreported.19-Feb-2018

Why do I feel like I have flu all the time?

Autoimmune conditions weaken the immune system and make it easier to develop infections, colds, and flu. This means that people with chronic immune conditions tend to feel sick more often and may take longer to recover from illnesses. Common immune conditions that can make people feel sick all the time include: lupus.29-Sept-2020

What cancers cause flu-like symptoms?

Fatigue, chills, fever, weight loss, swollen lymph nodes and persistent cough are common symptoms of the flu. But they also are common symptoms of some cancers, especially hematologic malignancies, such as lymphoma and leukemia.06-Aug-2019

Does fibromyalgia feel like flu?

Fatigue. Fibromyalgia can cause extreme tiredness (fatigue). This can range from a mild tired feeling to the exhaustion often experienced during a flu-like illness. Severe fatigue may come on suddenly and can drain you of all your energy.

What does adenovirus feel like?

The symptoms of adenovirus infection depend on the site of infection. Adenoviruses most often infect the airways leading to cold-like symptoms, including sore throat, sneezing, runny nose, cough, headache, chills, or symptoms of croup or bronchitis. Some people might also get a fever.

Can you have the flu but no fever?

Since not every individual experiences all of the flu symptoms, it is possible to have the flu without having a fever. Yes, it is possible to get flu without fever. Flu or influenza is a viral disease with predominant symptoms, such as runny nose, cough, chills, general malaise, headache, sore throat, and body ache.19-Jan-2022

Can Covid symptoms come and go?

Can COVID-19 symptoms come and go? Yes. During the recovery process, people with COVID-19 might experience recurring symptoms alternating with periods of feeling better. Varying degrees of fever, fatigue and breathing problems can occur, on and off, for days or even weeks.27-Jan-2022

Can back pain cause flu-like symptoms?

Sure, your back just could be achy and tight from the flu, but an unresponsive fever accompanied by back pain also could be a sign of a serious infection.01-Jun-2011

Can lymphoma cause flu-like symptoms?

Itching, bone pain, headaches, constant coughing and abnormal pressure and congestion in the face, neck and upper chest. Fatigue and flu-like body aches. Fatigue resulting from anemia. Night sweats, recurring high-grade fever or constant low-grade fever.

Does leukemia feel like the flu?

Leukemia symptoms often vary depending on the type of leukemia diagnosed. Some symptoms, like night sweats, fever, fatigue and achiness, resemble flu-like symptoms.

What is haematological malignancy?

Haematological malignancies are the types of cancer affecting blood, bone marrow and lymph nodes. They are referred to as leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma depending on the type of cell affected.

How long does bronchitis last?

The nagging cough of bronchitis can last up to three weeks, longer than a cough from the flu.

How to diagnose bronchitis?

There’s no test for bronchitis like there is for the flu, so doctors usually diagnose it by asking about symptoms and examining you. Bronchitis treatment consists of rest, drinking lots of fluids, and taking meds that can relieve symptoms. RELATED: 8 Possible Reasons You Can’t Stop Coughing.

What is the name of the inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord?

Meningitis . Meningitis is inflammation of the membranes (meninges) that cover the brain and spinal cord. Like pneumonia, meningitis can be caused by either a viral or a bacterial infection. Viral meningitis is more common and milder, but the symptoms of both are similar and look a lot like the flu: headache, fever, and fatigue.

What are the symptoms of the flu?

But be on the alert for signs of trouble such as shortness of breath, chest or abdominal pain, dizziness, or dehydration. If you’re experiencing any of these in addition to your flu-like symptoms, call your doctor or head to an emergency room.

Can respiratory syncytial virus cause coughing?

Respiratory syncytial virus. Respiratory syncytial virus or RSV has symptoms that can also be mistaken for the flu (or a cold). “It can cause runny nose and cough,” says Afif El-Hasan, MD, a spokesperson for the American Lung Association and a pediatrician with Kaiser Permanente.

Is bronchitis the same as flu?

Bronchitis. Acute bronchitis not only has cold- and flu-like symptoms, it’s even caused by many of the same viruses. “Bronchitis has a lot of overlap–productive cough with mucus, lethargy, and a sore throat,” says Dr. Peterson. The main difference is that bronchitis doesn’t come with a high fever. Bronchitis symptoms also tend to center on your ...

Can strep throat be a symptom of the flu?

Strep throat may also bring swollen lymph nodes, swollen tonsils, a skin rash, or white blotches on the tonsils. None of these is typical of the flu.

What are the symptoms of Lyme disease?

Symptoms include: Fever. Chills. Muscle soreness. Tiredness. Unlike the flu, Lyme disease can cause a rash where the tick bit you. It may be shaped like a bull’s-eye with one or more reddish rings. Some people with Lyme disease also have drooping of the face, or Bell’s palsy. Encephalitis.

What are the common diseases that cause a rash?

Skin rash. Adenoviruses. These common viruses aren’t the same as the ones that cause the flu, but they can bring on flu-like symptoms. Both illnesses can lead to health problems like pneumonia and bronchitis, too. Adenoviruses can cause pinkeye and (less often) bladder infections.

What diseases can you catch in the fall?

HIV. Lyme Disease. Encephalitis. Meningitis. Adenoviruses. Pneumonia. Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning. When you’re feeling run-down, feverish, and achy, you might wonder if you have the flu. You’re more likely to catch it in the fall or winter, especially if you haven’t gotten a flu shot.

How long does it take for AIDS to show symptoms?

The virus that causes AIDS can bring on flu-like symptoms about 2 to 4 weeks after you get infected. Some of the early possible signs of an HIV infection are:

Can HIV cause a fever?

Tiredness. Diarrhea. HIV infection can also cause unrelated symptoms, like : A rash on your face, neck, and upper chest after the fever. Open sores in your mouth, esophagus, anus, or on your penis. Lyme Disease. Deer ticks trigger this bacterial infection when they bite you. Symptoms include: Fever.

Can a cold cause a sore throat?

The Common Cold. Like the flu, a cold can wear you down and make you cough, sneeze, and cause a sore throat. Still, a few key clues may help you tell these viral illnesses apart. Colds usually come on slowly, and the symptoms tend to be milder. You’re more likely to get a runny or stuffy nose.

Does pneumonia make your muscles ache?

But pneumonia doesn’t come on as fast as the flu, and it’s not likely to make your muscles ache. You’re more likely to have these symptoms, too: Blue-colored fingernails and lips. Chest pain when you breathe deeply or cough.

How long does mono last?

Mono symptoms tend to last longer than the flu and be more severe. For instance, though many people start to feel better from mono within two to four weeks, symptoms of fatigue can persist for months. 11 . An Overview of Mononucleosis.

What is the temperature of a cough in 2011?

The 2011 clinical definition from the World Health Organization (WHO) is an acute respiratory illness with a measured temperature equal to or greater than 100.4 degrees F and cough, with onset within the past 10 days. 1  There are many potential causes, from strep throat to mononucleosis. Ridofranz/iStock.

What are the diseases that humans can get from the common cold?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses found in animals and humans. Those that infect humans can cause illness ranging from the common cold to rarer, more severe diseases such as COVID-19, Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

How to stop spreading germs?

If you have a cough, cover your mouth with a tissue or cough into your elbow to reduce the number of germs you are spreading to other people. Stay home from work or school when you are sick so you don't pass germs on to others. Keep any trips outside the home to the minimum needed for food and health care.

How to prevent germs from spreading?

Washing your hands frequently, and properly, is the most effective way to prevent the spread of germs. When you don't have access to soap and water, hand sanitizer is effective at cleaning your hands as long as they aren't visibly soiled. Make sure you always have some with you.

Is sore throat a flu like illness?

Flu-Like Symptoms. * Sore throat is a common, but not guaranteed symptom of flu and flu-like illness. The 2011 World Health Organization clinical definition of flu-like illness removed the mention of sore throat that was in the previous guidelines. Sore throat may not be present in those who have a pre-existing respiratory disease, ...

Can strep throat be diagnosed with nasal congestion?

However, strep throat doesn't display cough and nasal congestion. Only a rapid antigen strep throat test or throat culture can diagnose strep. 7  As this is a bacterial infection, rather than viral one, it is treated with antibiotics . An Overview of Strep Throat.

What causes a cold and a fever?

They include respiratory syncytial virus, coronaviruses, and rhinoviruses, which cause the common cold. “Flu usually causes chills and body aches and higher fever than some of these other infections, but it’s really hard to tell without doing a test,” says Adalja.

How many people died from the flu in the last season?

Adenovirus infections are typically mild and do not pose the same health threat as influenza. During the last flu season, more than 80,000 people died from influenza-related complications. “The damage that the flu can cause is on a different scale than basically any other virus that we know,” says Dr. Adalja.

What is the most common respiratory infection?

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that adenovirus is responsible for between 2 and 5 percent of all respiratory infections.

When will the flu season end?

states in the week ending January 5, 2019. Flu activity is expected to continue increasing, with the highest activity likely to occur by the end of February. That means a lot more people with fever, body ...

Is the flu in high gear?

Getty Images (2) Flu season is picking up, with increased influenza activity reported nationwide. But having flu-like symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean that you have the flu.

Can adenovirus cause pink eye?

The CDC says that adenoviruses may also cause diarrhea, conjunctivitis ( pink eye ), bladder inflamation or infection, inflammation of the stomach and intestines, bronchitis, and neurologic disease, which affects the brain and spinal cord. Both influenza and adenoviruses are easily spread.

It's flu season. Time to convince yourself that you've been exposed to SARS and anthrax

Flu season is here, and half the fun of getting sick is calling out from work and imagining how sad everybody would be at your funeral if you died. The fun stops, however, when those “flu-like symptoms” turn out to be just that—flu-like, rather than influenza itself.

AIDS

Oh yeah, AIDS is the first one on the list. HIV infection usually passes through an acute phase shortly after exposure and produces noticeable symptoms. Here’s a fun experiment—compare this list of flu symptoms with another list of symptoms that signal the onset of HIV infection.

What is the most common sign of a tick-borne illness?

The most common signs of the disease are a rash with a bull’s eye pattern and flu-like symptoms such as fever or fatigue.

What is the most common autoimmune disease?

Common autoimmune diseases include Type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus.

Can anemia cause fatigue?

Anemia may also cause fatigue, which can also be mistaken as a symptom of menopause. In the worst case scenario of a misdiagnosis, uterine cancer can be mistaken for menopause. Both conditions bring about symptoms such as abnormal vaginal bleeding, pain during intercourse, and pelvic pain.