Full Answer
What causes flu like symptoms?
Causes of flu-like symptoms aside from influenza include other infections, inflammatory disorders, autoimmune conditions, cancer and recent immunizations, according to Healthgrades. Imbalances in electrolytes can also mimic the flu. Examples of infections that may produce the symptoms are bronchitis, Lyme disease, pneumonia, certain sexually transmitted infections and urinary tract infections.
What are some flu like symptoms?
Flu is different from a cold. Flu usually comes on suddenly. People who have flu often feel ...
Does anyone get flu like symptoms?
What are some of the symptoms of the flu? The flu starts suddenly and hits hard. You’ll probably feel weak and tired, and have a fever, dry cough, runny nose, chills, muscle aches, severe headache, eye pain and a sore throat. 3. How does the vaccine work?
What does flu feel like at the beginning?
In the earliest stages of the flu, your throat may feel scratchy and irritated. You may also feel a strange sensation when you swallow food or drinks. If you have a sore throat, it’ll likely get worse as the viral infection progresses. Stock up on caffeine-free tea, chicken noodle soup, and water.
What causes a fever?
Flu and fever. Other causes of fever. Flu vs. cold. Treatment. Feed a cold, starve a fever. When to worry. Stomach flu. The influenza virus. Influenza, or “flu” for short, is an illness caused by the influenza virus.
What are the symptoms of the flu?
These include: a fever. aches and pains throughout the body. headaches. chills. a sore throat. an extreme feeling of fatigue.
Why is it important to drink fluids when you have a fever?
Drinking liquids is also very important when you have a fever because you can become dehydrated quickly.
How high is the temperature of the flu?
If you do experience a fever with the flu, it is typically high, over 100ºF (37.78ºC), and is partly responsible for why you feel so bad. Treat a case of the flu seriously, even if you don’t have a fever. You are still contagious and your illness could progress and become a real concern, even if your temperature is not elevated.
Can you get the flu with exhaustion?
You are also more likely to have congestion, a runny nose, a cough, a sore throat, or sneezing with the flu. Exhaustion is also common with the flu. This tiredness is not nearly as extreme when you have a cold.
Is the flu unpleasant?
For most people the flu is unpleasant but not serious. Anyone at risk for complications, however, should see a doctor if they suspect the flu. These people include: the very young. the elderly. those with chronic illness. those with a compromised immune system.
Can you stay home with the flu?
If you visit your doctor quickly enough, they may be able to give you an antiviral medication that can shorten the duration of the infection. Otherwise , you must simply stay home so that you can rest and recover. It’s also important to stay home and rest so you avoid infecting others.
Sudden And Unexplained Fatigue
It's tricky to determine if you're tired or legitimately fatigued (because there is a difference), and tricky yet again to determine if it's due to a packed schedule or something health-related. But if you're suddenly and mysteriously tired to the point of weakness, this could be an early sign of the flu.
An Achy Body
We're not talking about soreness from the gym, or leg cramps from standing or sitting all day. In this case, you'll experience more severe aches in your muscles and joints. They commonly show up in the back and legs. You can take over-the-counter medication to help, or you could take a natural route and try yoga or essential oils.
Gastrointestinal Issues
Depending on the specific virus you caught, you might be battling diarrhea, nausea, pain in the abdomen, and even vomiting. Aside from this being an obvious problem in and of itself, should you experience diarrhea or vomiting, subsequent dehydration is yet another issue. Staying properly hydrated is crucial in helping to fend off an impending flu.
Coughing Or Sore Throat
Other common flu symptoms happen in the neck and head. Stubborn coughing, wheezing, and tightness in the chest are all warning signs, as are phlegm and mucus. It's not uncommon for these symptoms to lead to a sore throat and even swelling of the throat. Warm liquids are your friend, and you might consider gargling salt water.
Headaches
Most commonly, a headache will be accompanied by other symptoms, if it's a side effect of the flu. Because the flu virus can't multiply in warmer temperatures, your body raises its own temperature — aka a fever. But the reason this gives you a headache is because your blood vessels dilate, and the pressure in your head increases.
A Stuffy Or Runny Nose
Another symptom frequently associated with headaches as a side effect of the flu is a stuffy or runny nose. Because of the dilated vessels and increased pressure in your head, you could potentially experience sinus pain, and your sinuses and nasal cavities become inflamed. The pressure in your face and eyes further increases.
Why does the body raise temperature when fighting the flu?
When fighting an influenza infection, the body may raise its temperature to make it difficult for the virus to replicate. This abnormal increase in body temperature is known as a fever. A fever is part of the immune system’s response to an infection and is a typical flu symptom. However, it is possible for the flu to occur without a fever.
How to treat flu symptoms?
The best way to treat the flu is to stay home and rest while keeping hydrated with plenty of clear liquids. People can consult a doctor if symptoms do not improve or if they experience severe symptoms, such as breathing difficulties, vomiting, or confusion. Last medically reviewed on February 8, 2019.
What are the signs that a child should visit a doctor?
Children should visit a doctor if they show the following signs: rapid breathing. changes in skin color. not drinking enough fluids. high irritability. fever with a rash. People in at-risk groups of complications should always contact a doctor if they have the flu.
What temperature can cause a fever in children?
Fevers in children can cause temperatures between 103°F to 105°F (39.4°C to 40.6°C), typically higher than in adults. In addition to an increase in body temperature itself, a fever may also cause: sweating. shivers. headaches.
What temperature is the flu?
In mild cases of the flu, the body may be able to fight off the influenza virus without raising its temperature. Body temperatures over 100.4°F (38°C) usually indicate a fever, but the exact temperature can vary.
Is the flu the same as the cold?
The common cold and the flu are both viral infections that affect the respiratory system. There are many similarities between their symptoms, but there are some key differences as well. In general, the symptoms of flu are more severe and appear much quicker than with a cold.
Can the flu affect the whole body?
While the illness occurs in the upper respiratory tract, which includes the nose, throat, and bronchi of the lungs, symptoms can also affect the whole body. The symptoms of the flu can range from mild to severe. They often have a rapid onset and can become debilitating as the body’s immune system fights off the virus.
What is considered a fever?
A fever is considered a body temperature that’s higher than your personal normal. The average body temperature or “normal” temperature is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. However, some people may run slightly colder or hotter.
Medical causes
Certain underlying medical conditions may cause feelings of feverishness without actually causing a fever. Here are a few potential causes to consider:
Environmental and lifestyle causes
Your environmental and lifestyle habits may also play a role in making you feel feverish. Possibilities include:
Other causes
Other causes of feeling feverish may be hormonal in nature, especially in women. Hot flashes in both perimenopause and menopause can make you feel hot and flushed, while also causing night sweats.
Treatments and home remedies
If you are feverish but aren’t displaying an abnormal body temperature, you can help make yourself feel cooler with the following strategies:
When to seek care
Talk with your doctor if you’re feeling chronically feverish despite making lifestyle changes. They may run diagnostic tests, such as bloodwork, to help rule out any possible causes. If you’re currently taking any medications, they may adjust the type of drug, and they may also adjust the dose.
The bottom line
It’s possible to feel feverish but not have a fever, and there are many possible causes. Certain underlying medical conditions may increase your intolerance to heat, while some medications you take can also be to blame. Other causes may be temporary, such as exercising in the heat.
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.
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:
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.
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.
Can meningitis cause nausea?
Some of the early symptoms of meningitis can seem like the flu. For instance, you may run a sudden high fever and get a headache with nausea or vomiting. These common viruses aren’t the same as the ones that cause the flu, but they can bring on flu-like symptoms.
What are the symptoms of a 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. These include having a runny and/or stuffed up nose, coughing, feeling like your chest is congested, even a sore throat and headache. In adults, fevers are rare in colds, but you ...
How long does it take for a cold to go away?
And, cold symptoms go away in about a week, usually, while flu symptoms can last much longer. 2. Meningitis (Bacterial or Viral) Meningitis is a serious infection or inflammation of the meninges. These are the membranes that surround and protect your brain and spinal cord.
How long does it take for mononucleosis to show?
It can take from 4 to 6 weeks after exposure to the virus for the symptoms to appear, which is why the symptoms may be mistaken for the flu at first—the infected person may not remember being exposed to someone with mononucleosis. 8. Cat-Scratch Disease.
What are the symptoms of blood cancer?
Other blood cancer symptoms include persistent fatigue, unintended weight loss, recurring nosebleeds, swollen lymph glands, and bone pain. 6. Lyme Disease.
What to do if you don't see a tick bite?
If you don’t see the bite, it’s easy to think it is just the flu. However, if you’ve been in an area where you could have received a tick bite, examine your skin to see if there are any red spots or a rash. This may be due to a tick bite. See a doctor to be safe. 7.
Can sepsis cause coughing?
If you think you may have sepsis, get medical help quickly. Pneumonia, whether it’s bacterial, viral or fungal, can initially be confused by the flu virus. Pneumonia symptoms can include a productive cough (bringing up green or yellow sputum), shortness of breath, fever, chills, and pain in your chest.
Can mononucleosis cause a fever?
While the infection itself isn’t usually serious, it can cause serious complications. Signs of mononucleosis include fever, sore throat, fatigue, and swollen lymph glands. Symptoms that would not be mistaken for the flu include swollen tonsils, skin rash, and a swollen spleen.
What are the symptoms of the flu?
Severe aches in the muscles and joints is one of the hallmark symptoms of the flu. Flu symptoms usually come on suddenly. Extreme fatigue, dry cough, sore throat and runny nose, fever, headache, pain and tiredness around eyes. The common cold. Body aches all over. Cold symptoms appear over the course of a few days.
How long does it take for the flu to go away?
According to Harvard Medical School, 3 symptoms usually develop from one to four days after exposure to the virus and last for five to seven days.
Why is strep throat different from regular sore throat?
Strep is different from the regular sore throat that usually precedes a flu or a cold because it is bacterial in nature, while the latter is viral.
How long does mono last?
Mono. Body aches. Symptoms last for a long time (1-2 months) Sore throat, swollen lymph nodes all over the body, fatigue, loss of appetite. Strep. Body aches. Throat is very sore (often with white patches), and there is no cough. Fever, swollen lymph nodes, red dots on back of roof of mouth, swollen tonsils. Arthritis.
What is the name of the disorder that causes inflammation, swelling, joint pain, fever, and a rash?
Lupus. According to WebMD, 13 lupus is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when the body's natural defense system mistakenly starts attacking itself. This can cause a variety of symptoms, including inflammation, swelling, joint pain, fever, and the characteristic lupus rash.
How long does it take for a cough to get better?
Your cough doesn't get better in a few weeks . Your symptoms are very severe, are getting worse, or have lasted longer than two weeks. You have shortness of breath. Your infant has a cold, or you're pregnant or breastfeeding and develop a cold, your cold worsens after the 3rd day.
How to diagnose pneumonia?
The most common include listening to and X-raying your lungs, though some people might need other kinds of tests, like blood tests or sputum tests.
What Is Considered A Fever?
Medical Causes
Environmental and Lifestyle Causes
Other Causes
Treatments and Home Remedies
When to Seek Care
The Bottom Line
- It’s possible to feel feverish but not have a fever, and there are many possible causes. Certain underlying medical conditions may increase your intolerance to heat, while some medications you take can also be to blame. Other causes may be temporary, such as exercising in the heat. If you continue to feel feverish despite lifestyle adjustments, tal...