8 Symptoms of the Flu

It's that time of year again, when the days grow shorter, colder, and illnesses abound. Among those illnesses is the Flu, also known as Influenza, an incredibly infectious and nasty respiratory infection caused by virus types A, B, and C. Victims of the flu are often ridden with its effects for 1 to 2 weeks, generally between the months of December and February, with the severest of symptoms subsiding after a few days. Of course, individual health and age are often directly correlated with symptom duration and illness intensity. Consequently, it is essential to recognize and be aware of the main symptoms and signs associated with the flu. Outlined below, the top 8 and most precedent of those symptoms and what they entail are reviewed in detail.

1. Fever

A fever transpires when the body's immune system is set off by pyrogens, which are fever-producing substances. One such pyrogen is the Flu virus. The development of this symptom is oftentimes a clear sign that something is off in the body, and that pyrogen activity is occurring within it. With the flu, one of the most common symptoms is an abrupt fever that generally lasts 3-4 days. Body temperatures exceeding 100.4 F are an especially clear indicator that the Flu virus may be present and taking hold. Unfortunately, medium and high-grade body temperatures are not uncommon, ranging from 102 F to 104 F. When the body's internal thermostat reaches this level, it is usually best to pay a visit to the physician's office or nearest emergency facility, especially if the patient is a child, an elder, and/or a person with other health complications. Next