Hailey Tran
Influenza, or the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. While the flu is usually not an emergency for young and otherwise healthy people, it can be deadly for those over 65, pregnant women, young children, and people with certain medical conditions or weakened immune systems. If you fall into a high-risk category or are experiencing severe symptoms such as high fever, chills, body aches, or vomiting, it is recommended to seek medical attention or go to the emergency room. Otherwise, staying at home, getting rest, and drinking fluids is generally advised for mild flu-like symptoms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| People at high risk | Over 65, pregnant women, people with chronic conditions, weakened immune systems, young children |
| Symptoms | Fever, chills, body aches, fatigue, cough, sore throat, runny nose, vomiting, diarrhea, lung inflammation, dehydration, difficulty breathing |
| Action | Seek medical attention, get vaccinated, take over-the-counter medications, rest, drink fluids |
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What You'll Learn
When to go to the ER
The flu is a serious illness that can have life-threatening complications. While it is not usually an emergency for young and otherwise healthy people, the flu can be deadly for those over 65, pregnant women, young children, and people with weakened immune systems or chronic conditions. For these high-risk groups, flu can become life-threatening, requiring immediate medical attention.
If you are experiencing severe flu symptoms and need immediate care, it may be time to visit the emergency room. Here are some warning signs that indicate a need for immediate medical attention:
- A sustained high fever (over 102 degrees)
- Chills
- Body aches
- Fatigue
- Vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children and the elderly)
- Lung inflammation, which makes breathing difficult
- Severe dehydration requiring intravenous (IV) fluids
If you are otherwise healthy and are suffering from flu-like symptoms, the general advice is to take over-the-counter medications to manage your symptoms, stay in bed, and drink plenty of fluids.
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High-risk groups
While the flu is usually not an emergency for most people, it can be deadly for those in high-risk groups. These groups include people who are immunocompromised, over 65, pregnant, or battling a chronic condition. For these individuals, the flu can become life-threatening, requiring immediate medical attention.
Pregnant women are at a higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications. They should call their healthcare provider as soon as flu symptoms develop or if they experience symptoms within two weeks after the end of pregnancy. The flu can also be particularly dangerous for children under two years of age, and in some cases, flu symptoms may require not just a visit but even a hospital stay.
People over 65 are also at higher risk of severe flu-related complications. Additionally, otherwise healthy people who smoke or vape are at a significantly higher risk of developing flu-related complications and should see a physician if they are suffering from flu-like symptoms.
Individuals with chronic medical conditions are also considered high-risk. The flu can worsen existing chronic health conditions or even trigger new illnesses. Some of the most common medical conditions that can result from the flu include pneumonia, bronchitis, and inflammation of the heart, brain, or muscles.
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Flu symptoms
The flu, or influenza, is a respiratory infection that affects the nose, throat, and lungs. Flu symptoms can vary from mild to severe and may include fever, chills, body aches, cough, headache, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, fatigue, and sometimes diarrhea or vomiting (more common in children than adults).
Some people may be at higher risk for flu-related complications, including people over 65, pregnant women, those with chronic medical conditions, and those who are immunocompromised. For these individuals, the flu can be deadly, and they should not hesitate to seek emergency care if they develop severe symptoms.
If you are otherwise healthy and experiencing mild flu-like symptoms, it is generally recommended to stay at home, take over-the-counter medications to manage your symptoms, rest, and drink plenty of fluids. Antiviral medications may be an option if you see a doctor within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms, but they may have serious side effects and only shorten the illness by one day or less.
However, if your symptoms are not improving or are worsening, you should seek medical attention. Adults with a sustained fever of more than 102 degrees Fahrenheit, in addition to other flu-like symptoms, should seek medical care. Additionally, if you are experiencing any emergency symptoms such as difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, chest or abdominal pain, sudden dizziness, confusion, or severe or persistent vomiting, you should go to the emergency room.
It is important to note that "flu-like symptoms" can be caused by various infections and conditions other than the flu, including COVID-19, RSV, and pneumonia. Therefore, if you are experiencing any concerning symptoms or are unsure, it is always best to consult a healthcare professional for advice.
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Treatment options
If you are otherwise healthy and experiencing flu-like symptoms, the general advice is to take over-the-counter medications to manage your symptoms, stay in bed, and drink plenty of fluids. It is also recommended to get plenty of rest, avoid contact with others to prevent spreading the illness, and cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.
If you are experiencing severe flu symptoms, such as high fever, body aches, cough, sore throat, runny nose, vomiting, diarrhea, or difficulty breathing, you should seek medical attention. A hospital visit may be required if your symptoms worsen or significantly impact your ability to function. Severe flu symptoms can lead to life-threatening complications, including lung inflammation, severe dehydration, and the worsening of chronic health conditions.
If you are in a high-risk category or experiencing severe symptoms, do not hesitate to go to the emergency room or seek medical help. Antiviral medications may be an option if you visit a doctor within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. However, these drugs may have serious side effects and only shorten the duration of the illness by one day or less. To prevent the flu, it is recommended to get a flu shot at the start of the flu season and practice good hand hygiene.
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Preventing the flu
The flu is a contagious respiratory disease caused by different strains of viruses. The best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu shot. Flu vaccines are designed to protect against three influenza viruses that are predicted to be the most common during the upcoming season. Vaccination is especially important for people at higher risk of developing serious flu complications, including young children, pregnant women, people with certain chronic health conditions, and people 65 years and older.
In addition to getting vaccinated, there are several preventive actions that can help reduce the risk of getting or spreading the flu:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, paying attention to your fingernails. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, as germs can spread this way.
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. Use a tissue or cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow if you don't have a tissue.
- Wear a mask to protect yourself and others. Masks reduce the spread of the virus and protect wearers from breathing in infectious particles.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick, and stay home when you are sick to prevent spreading the illness to others.
- Practice good hygiene by cleaning frequently touched surfaces, such as countertops, handrails, and doorknobs.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle by getting plenty of sleep, exercising regularly, managing stress, drinking plenty of fluids, and eating nutritious food.
By following these preventive measures, you can help protect yourself and others from the flu and reduce the spread of germs.
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Frequently asked questions
If you have mild flu-like symptoms and are otherwise fit and healthy, there is usually no need to go to the hospital. However, if you are in a high-risk group, such as young children, people 65 and older, pregnant women, and people with certain medical conditions, you should contact your doctor early in your illness. If you are very sick or have emergency warning signs of flu sickness, you should go to the hospital.
Symptoms of the flu include sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, fatigue, and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting. Not everyone with the flu will have a fever, but adults with a sustained fever of more than 102 degrees should seek medical attention.
The best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccination every year. The flu vaccine is typically available from April onwards and protects against different types of influenza A and B. In addition to getting vaccinated, you should also wash your hands frequently and avoid close contact with others if you are sick.
