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 overlapping symptoms, like a sore throat and a stuffy ...
- Strep throat. ...
- Pneumonia. ...
- Mononucleosis. ...
- Meningitis. ...
- Bronchitis. ...
- Respiratory syncytial virus. ...
What flu symptoms should be checked out by a doctor?
- Coughing up thick, greenish-yellow phlegm
- Wheezing
- Experiencing a fever
- Experiencing shortness of breath
- Experiencing fainting
- Experiencing ankle swelling or weight loss
Can you have the flu without symptoms?
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. Other symptoms are shortness of breath and loss of taste sensation. However, every flu symptom may not be seen in every individual.
What are the first signs of flu?
What Are the First Signs of the Flu?
- Sudden Excessive Fatigue. This symptom should not be confused with a general feeling of tiredness or everyday stress. ...
- Chills and Muscle Aches. Body aches are sometimes mistaken as the result of stress or physical exertion. ...
- Fever. ...
- Sore Throat. ...
- Coughing and Runny Nose. ...
- Loss of Appetite. ...
- Flu Treatment in Rochester, NY. ...
Can you have the flu with no respiratory symptoms?
With that being said, yes you can have the flu without respiratory symptoms. All your other symptoms are classic flu symptoms. However, pain on coughing is a respiratory symptom. Even if not, as you say upper respiratory. Possible pnemonia with the fever. For a certain diagnosis, go to your health care provider and get a test. It
How can you tell the difference between the flu and COVID-19?
You cannot tell the difference between flu and COVID-19 just by looking at the symptoms alone because they have some of the same symptoms. That's why testing is needed to tell what the illness is and to confirm a diagnosis.
Are influenza (flu) and COVID-19 caused by the same virus?
Influenza (flu) and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. COVID-19 is caused by infection with a coronavirus first identified in 2019, and flu is caused by infection with influenza viruses.
Which one is more contagious, COVID-19 or flu?
Differences: If a person has COVID-19, they could be contagious for a longer time than if they have flu.
Can you get COVID-19 and the flu at the same time?
Yes. It is possible have flu, as well as other respiratory illnesses, and COVID-19 at the same time. Health experts are still studying how common this can be. Some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, making it hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone.
What are some of the similarities between COVID-19 and flu?
Similarities: Both COVID-19 and flu can spread from person-to-person between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet). Both are spread mainly by large and small particles containing virus that are expelled when people with the illness (COVID-19 or flu) cough, sneeze, or talk.
How many times can I get COVID-19?
'A long-term pattern' According to some infectious disease researchers, Covid-19 reinfections are likely to become more common as time goes on and different variants continue to circulate—with some people potentially seeing third or fourth reinfections within a year.
When do you start being contagious with COVID-19?
A person with COVID-19 is considered infectious starting 2 days before they develop symptoms, or 2 days before the date of their positive test if they do not have symptoms.
Are you still contagious 10 days after the first day of COVID-19 symptoms?
So, there is potential for people to be infectious beyond their seven-day isolation if they are still symptomatic. After ten days, most people are not infectious. Multiple studies have shown there is very little, if any, transmission after day ten, regardless of the variant.
How long does COVID-19 rebound last?
So far there have been no reports of severe illness in those who have experienced covid rebound, and most people seem to recover and stop testing positive around three days later without needing additional covid-19 treatment.
Will the flu shot help fight the coronavirus?
While the flu shot won't protect you from developing COVID-19, it's still a good idea. Most people older than six months can and should get the flu vaccine. Doing so reduces the chances of getting seasonal flu.
What should I do if I still have symptoms after a negative COVID-19 test result?
If you use an at-home test that comes back negative, and you do have symptoms that persist or get worse, it's a good idea to get a lab-based PCR test for COVID-19 and influenza. You also should stay home and isolate until you get the PCR test results back. The antigen test may have missed an early infection.
How long can you test positive for COVID-19?
>People who have recovered from COVID-19 can continue to test positive for up to 3 months after their infection.
What are the symptoms of the flu?
Flu-like symptoms that occur with seizures, confusion, trouble breathing or a stiff neck necessitate calling 911 for emergency medical services. Complications from unaddressed flu-like symptoms can include missed days of school or work, birth defects, miscarriages, dehydration, coma and organ failure. ADVERTISEMENT.
What is considered a fever in adults?
An oral temperature of 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit or above is considered a fever in children, while temperatures above 99 to 99.5 degrees signal fever in adults, explains Healthgrades.
Can electrolytes mimic the flu?
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.
How long does it take for flu to infect the respiratory system?
It is caused by influenza viruses A and B which have an incubation period of about 1-3 days.
Is respiratory tract infection a common illness?
Acute respiratory tract infection is one of the most common illness every person experiences. Flu and flu-like illnesses are the most commonly seen cases at an out-patient department. It is quite difficult to differentiate between flu and flu-like illness.
What are the complications of the flu?
Other possible serious complications triggered by flu can include inflammation of the heart (myocarditis), brain (encephalitis) or muscle (myositis, rhabdomyolysis) tissues, and multi-organ failure (for example, respirator y and kidney failure).
How long does it take to recover from the flu?
Most people who get flu will recover in a few days to less than two weeks, but some people will develop complications (such as pneumonia) as a result of flu, some of which can be life-threatening and result in death.
Can the flu cause death?
Influenza (flu) can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death . Flu is different from a cold. Flu usually comes on suddenly. People who have flu often feel some or all of these symptoms: some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.
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.
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.
Is the flu as common as the cold?
But this study should not be taken to mean that the flu is as trivial as the common cold. "The flu is very common, and often mild, but that doesn't mean that we shouldn't take it seriously because from time to time it can lead to very severe complications," he says.
Can you be contagious if you don't have the flu?
Could be the flu. Fever, muscle aches, nausea — these are what we usually associate with having the flu. But just because you don't exhibit these symptoms, it doesn't mean you don't have the flu, researchers say. And you could be just as contagious. In fact, their study found that roughly three-quarters of people with seasonal or pandemic flu show ...
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
What are the symptoms of the flu?
Headache, sudden high fever, body aches, chills, and tiredness are among the most common initial symptoms of the flu. 2 . Once you realize you may be sick with the flu, call your doctor, especially if you have asthma or an other condition that puts you at higher risk for related complications.
How long can you be contagious with the flu?
People with the flu may be contagious anywhere between the day before to seven days after their symptoms appear.
What is flu day?
Flu Day 0. The day before any influenza symptoms appear, you are already contagious. You feel fine and go about your daily life without realizing you are about to get sick. 1 You likely came in contact with someone who was contagious with the flu in the past 48 hours.
How do you get the flu?
A person can also get the flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their mouth, nose, or eyes. 2 .
How does the flu affect people in 2020?
Not everyone who gets the flu will have the same symptoms, and how sick you feel—and for how long that's the case—can vary from person to person. That said, the flu typically cycles through a set of stages and follows a usual day-by-day progression.
Is fever gone with coughing?
Your fever should be gone and the congestion should be lessening, though your cough may linger. You should still stay home, rest, and take plenty of fluids. If you are not starting to feel better by day five and your symptoms are worsening, call your doctor.
Can you work out again after the flu?
If you are used to exercising regularly, you should be fine to work out again, but don't go overboard. Your body is still recovering from being ill and you may still have a lingering cough. Listen to your body and don't push yourself too hard. The Warning Signs and Safety Tips of When the Flu Becomes Dangerous.
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...