If you often get symptoms of a cold or flu, there could be three reasons:
- You are exposed to more respiratory system viruses than most people
- You are more susceptible to catching respiratory viruses than most people
- Your symptoms are really caused by allergies. (You call the symptoms "colds" but they are not caused by viral infections.)
Why do I get period flu every month?
Causes of period flu People typically report period flu symptoms after they ovulate, when estrogen levels fall, and progesterone levels rise. Researchers have not identified a singular, specific cause
What is the flu and what causes it?
The flu is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the influenza virus. The virus causes seasonal epidemics of respiratory illness that occur during the fall and winter months. Despite the seasonality of influenza activity, many people experience flu-like symptoms during the summer.
What are the signs you have the flu?
Considering that the flu can spread like wildfire among unvaccinated communities, it’s tempting to worry that every cough, muscle ache, and hint of a fever is a sign you caught the flu.
What are the symptoms of period flu?
Some of the symptoms, such as body aches and fatigue, can make people feel as though they are coming down with the flu. Although period flu is not contagious, unlike influenza, it does cause discomfort. People can usually manage their symptoms with self-care, dietary changes, and OTC medicines.
What causes constant flu-like symptoms?
There are many illnesses, infections, contagions and contaminants that can cause flu-like symptoms such as: anthrax, brain infection, central nervous system infections, chickenpox, enteroviruses, food poisoning, fibromyalgia, hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, Hodgkin's disease, Legionnaires' disease, lyme disease, monkeypox, ...
What are the causes of prolonged flu?
Flu Risk Factorschronic lung diseases such as asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis, or cystic fibrosis.heart disease.chronic kidney disease.diabetes or other chronic metabolic disorder.morbid obesity.severe anemia (including sickle cell anemia)diseases (HIV, AIDS) or treatments (steroids, chemotherapy) that suppress immunity.More items...
Can a flu virus last for months?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , an uncomplicated influenza infection will last from three to seven days in most people, including children. However, a cough and feelings of weakness or fatigue can last for two weeks or longer.
Why won't my flu symptoms go away?
If it doesn't go away, it's likely due to postnasal drip -- mucus that moves from your nose into your throat. It can be treated with antihistamines. But it could also be related to asthma or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). Your doctor can tell you what to do for it.
What disease starts with flu like symptoms?
Conditions With Flu-Like SymptomsThe Common Cold.COVID-19.HIV.Lyme Disease.Encephalitis.Meningitis.Adenoviruses.Pneumonia.More items...•
What is chronic flu?
Influenza (flu) is a contagious and potentially deadly virus that can result in serious complications for individuals living with chronic health conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes.
What is post viral myalgia?
Postviral myositis (PVM) is characterized by acute-onset muscle pain, tenderness, and weakness, which initiates 2 to 4 weeks postviral illness. 1. The term PVM is not well defined, and the related literature particularly in adults is sparse.
What is long Covid?
Some people who have been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 can experience long-term effects from their infection, known as post-COVID conditions (PCC) or long COVID.
How long does post-viral fatigue last?
Recovery from post-viral fatigue can vary a lot from one person to the next. Some people are back to normal within a month or two, while others experience lingering symptoms for years. However, there is some evidence to suggest that getting an early diagnosis may improve recovery.
What if cold lasts for months?
The main difference between a cold and a sinus infection is the duration of symptoms. Most people recover from a cold in 5 to 10 days. Sinusitis can remain in the body for 4 weeks or for over 3 months in people with a chronic case of the condition.
Can anxiety cause flu-like symptoms?
Having flu-like symptoms is a common symptom of anxiety disorder, including generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and others.
Can stress cause flu-like symptoms?
Yes! Overly apprehensive behavior and the chronic stress it causes can make it seem like you have the flu and flu-like symptoms. This occurs because of how chronic stress affects the body, and how the body can become symptomatic when under sustained stress.
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.
Why do I get mono?
Mono is usually caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. It tends to hit teens and young adults more than other age groups. Symptoms often come on slowly, but they can mimic the flu; you might feel really, really tired, spike a fever, or have a sore throat and body aches.
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 ...
What is the condition that inflames the thin coverings that protect your brain and spinal cord?
Meningitis. This condition inflames the thin coverings that protect your brain and spinal cord. The flu virus is one of several things that can lead to meningitis, including other viruses and bacteria. Some of the early symptoms of meningitis can seem like the flu.
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.
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.
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 happens if you breathe in carbon monoxide?
Carbon monoxide poisoning is an emergency. If you breathe in too much, you could pass out and die.
Can adenovirus cling to surfaces?
Although the two infections spread similarly, adenoviruses may cling to commonly touched surfaces longer. Disinfectants may not fight them as well. This common lung infection can range from mild to severe. The flu virus is one of several things, including bacteria and fungi, that can cause it.
How long does it take for the flu to go away?
If you're young and healthy, the flu usually isn't serious. Although you may feel miserable while you have it, the flu usually goes away in a week or two with no lasting effects. But children and adults at high risk may develop complications that may include:
What is the name of the virus that attacks the respiratory system?
Influenza is a viral infection that attacks your respiratory system — your nose, throat and lungs. Influenza is commonly called the flu, but it's not the same as stomach "flu" viruses that cause diarrhea and vomiting.
What to do if you have the flu?
If you have flu symptoms and are at risk of complications, see your doctor right away. Taking antiviral drugs may reduce the length of your illness and help prevent more-serious problems. If you have emergency signs and symptoms of the flu, get medical care right away.
How do viruses travel through the air?
Influenza viruses travel through the air in droplets when someone with the infection coughs, sneezes or talks. You can inhale the droplets directly, or you can pick up the germs from an object — such as a telephone or computer keyboard — and then transfer them to your eyes, nose or mouth.
How long after giving birth can you be pregnant?
Pregnant women and women up to two weeks after giving birth. People with weakened immune systems. Native Americans. People who have chronic illnesses, such as asthma, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease and diabetes. People who are very obese, with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher.
When will nasal spray be effective?
However, the nasal spray vaccine is expected to be effective in the 2020-2021 season. The nasal spray still isn't recommended for some groups, such as pregnant women, children between 2 and 4 years old with asthma or wheezing, and people who have compromised immune systems.
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.
Why do I have a runny nose?
If you often get symptoms of a cold or flu, there could be three reasons: 1. You are exposed to more respiratory system viruses than most people.
What causes colds in children?
3. Your symptoms are really caused by allergies. (You call the symptoms "colds" but they are not caused by viral infections.) Any adult who is exposed to young children a lot, such as parents and teachers, is exposed to all the viruses that children carry. Advertisement.
Is pollen a common allergy?
Some people are more susceptible to allergies. Many people are allergic to things that are in outdoor or indoor air, such as pollen, dust, molds, or dander from household pets. I see lots of patients who think they have a cold, but it turns out they have allergies.
Who is Anthony Komaroff?
Anthony Komaroff, M.D., is professor of medicine and editor-in-chief of Harvard Health Publications at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Komaroff also is senior physician and was formerly director of the Division of General Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Dr.
What is the immune system that turns against the body's own tissues?
Autoimmune disorders where the immune system turns against the body’s own tissues may present with malaise apart from localized symptoms pertaining to the organ that is affected. Immune deficient states where the immune defenses are weakened may increase the chances of recurrent infections from various pathogens.
How long does malaise last?
Sometimes malaise is persistent for much longer periods – even months and years.
What is the term for a generalized feeling that cannot be localized to a certain part of the body?
It is a generalized sensation that cannot be localized to a certain part of the body. This is commonly referred to as a fluish feeling or a flu-like feeling. The correct medical term for this sensation is malaise. The flu (seasonal influenza) is the most common recurrent ailment that humans experience throughout life.
What causes a build up of waste in the bloodstream?
However, changes in blood pH and a build up of wastes in the bloodstream (uremia) associated with kidney disorders are other common causes. Very serious cases includes septicemia where there is an accumulation of bacterial toxins in the bloodstream.
What are the symptoms of malaise?
Although subjective, some features that may be noted includes : Fatigue (tiredness) Dizziness or lightheaded. Changes in blood pressure. Changes in heart rate.
What causes malaise in the respiratory system?
The subsequent build up of carbon dioxide in the blood (hypercapnia) and changes in blood pH may also be contributing factors to malaise associated with the respiratory system. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Acute bronchitis. Pulmonary tuberculosis (lung TB) Bronchiectasis.
What is the first sign of an infection?
Travelers to endemic areas, particularly in developing nations without proper vaccinations, should be cautious about malaise as it may be the first sign of an infection.
What are the symptoms of the flu?
coughing or sneezing. headache. body aches and pains. runny or congested nose. sore throat. fatigue. The symptoms of flu are also common symptoms of other illnesses. If you’re experiencing flu-like symptoms during the warmer months of the year, they may be due to another illness or condition other than the flu.
When is the flu most common?
Although the influenza virus can circulate throughout the year, it’s most common during the winter months. If you’re experiencing flu-like symptoms during the summer months, it’s unlikely that you have the flu.
What are the symptoms of gastroenteritis and the flu?
Common symptoms between gastroenteritis and flu include fever, headache, and body aches and pains. In contrast to the flu, the symptoms of gastroenteritis are more focused around your gastrointestinal tract and may include watery diarrhea and abdominal cramps.
What are the symptoms of pneumonia?
Symptoms to look out for that can point specifically to pneumonia include cough with green or yellow mucus, shortness of breath, and sharp chest pain.
What are the risks of the flu?
You should also seek immediate medical treatment if you’re at high risk for flu complications. High-risk groups include people who: 1 are under 5 years old (especially those who are under 2 years old) 2 are 18 years old or younger and taking medications containing aspirin or salicylate 3 are at least 65 years old 4 are pregnant or have given birth in the past two weeks 5 have a body mass index (BMI) of at least 40 6 have Native American (American Indian or Alaska Native) ancestry 7 have a weakened immune system 8 have a serious chronic condition, such as heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes
How do you know if you have food poisoning?
Food poisoning. You get food poisoning by consuming food that’s contaminated by pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, or parasites. Unlike the flu, symptoms are focused on your gastrointestinal tract and include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever.
What is pneumonia in the lungs?
Pneumonia is an infection of your lungs. While it can be a complication of the flu, there are also other causes. These include other viruses, bacteria, fungi, and certain chemical or environmental agents.
Overview
- Influenza is a viral infection that attacks your respiratory system — your nose, throat and lungs. Influenza is commonly called the flu, but it's not the same as stomach "flu" viruses that cause diarrhea and vomiting. For most people, the flu resolves on its own. But sometimes, influenza and its complications can be deadly. People at higher risk of developing flu complications include: 1…
Symptoms
- At first, the flu may seem like a common cold with a runny nose, sneezing and sore throat. But colds usually develop slowly, whereas the flu tends to come on suddenly. And although a cold can be a bother, you usually feel much worse with the flu. Common signs and symptoms of the flu include: 1. Fever 2. Aching muscles 3. Chills and sweats 4. Headache 5. Dry, persistent cough 6. …
Causes
- Influenza viruses travel through the air in droplets when someone with the infection coughs, sneezes or talks. You can inhale the droplets directly, or you can pick up the germs from an object — such as a telephone or computer keyboard — and then transfer them to your eyes, nose or mouth. People with the virus are likely contagious from about a day before symptoms appear un…
Risk Factors
- Factors that may increase your risk of developing the flu or its complications include: 1. Age.Seasonal influenza tends to target children 6 months to 5 years old, and adults 65 years old or older. 2. Living or working conditions.People who live or work in facilities with many other residents, such as nursing homes or military barracks, are more li...
Complications
- If you're young and healthy, the flu usually isn't serious. Although you may feel miserable while you have it, the flu usually goes away in a week or two with no lasting effects. But children and adults at high risk may develop complications that may include: 1. Pneumonia 2. Bronchitis 3. Asthma flare-ups 4. Heart problems 5. Ear infections 6. Acute respiratory distress syndrome Pneumonia …
Prevention
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone age 6 months or older. The flu vaccine can reduce your risk of the flu and its severity and lower the risk of having serious illness from the flu and needing to stay in the hospital. Flu vaccination is especially important this season because the flu and coronavirus disease 2019 (C…