Symptoms of the Flu

People may not know what the symptoms of the flu are, or what to do if they start to feel these symptoms coming on. People may mistake the symptoms of the flu they are experiencing for a common cold. According to the CDC, symptoms of the cold and the flu may include the following:

Extreme Tiredness
Fever (usually high)
Dry Cough
Loss of Appetite
Body Aches
Sore Throat
Runny or Stuffy Nose
Diarrhea and Vomiting (more common in children than in adults)

Symptoms of the flu can be very similar to other types of respiratory infections such as the common cold.¹

Symptoms of the Flu - How to Know if it is the Flu?
Since symptoms of the flu and the common cold can be similar, it is important that a physician conduct a flu test to determine if the patient has the flu or something else. The QuickVue® Influenza A+B Flu Test is an easy-to-use test that a doctor can perform in minutes in their office. Test results will appear within 10 minutes and can help the physician determine if the patient has Influenza type A or type B. It is important to have a flu test administered at the onset of symptoms because if the flu virus is diagnosed within the first 48 hours, the doctor may have more options available for treatment. Antiviral medications such as Tamiflu may be prescribed to help shorten the duration of the illness. According to the CDC, in adults, the use of antiviral medication may reduce the severity and length of the symptoms of the flu.²

If symptoms of the flu are present, one of the best and easiest ways to determine if those symptoms are actually the flu or not is to have a QuickVue flu test administered by your physician. Within minutes your physician will have results to assist them with diagnosis and treatment options.

¹http://www.flutest.com/flu-facts/flu-symptoms.htm

²http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms.htm