Restoring My Complexion

Serious Flu Symptoms to Look For

23 November 2016 by Dylan Owens

Nobody likes getting sick. Thankfully, you are only likely to get the flu about twice every 10 years. While most flu viruses require little or no treatment, you may occasionally find yourself with an illness that should be evaluated by your primary-care physician. If you find yourself sick this year, then keep reading to learn about a few symptoms that should alert you to a more serious issue so you can make an immediate appointment with your doctor.

A Lasting Cough 

When you have a flu virus in your system that your body is trying to fight off, then you are likely to develop a cough. Coughing is the body's way of forcing germs out of your system. The sinus cavities and the lungs produce mucus to catch both the live and dead microorganisms. When you cough, the virus is expelled from the mouth. The flu can linger for one to two weeks, and symptoms may persist for the entire time you are ill. However, the worst symptoms will subside after only a few days. If you have a cough, then it should get better within a week or two at the most.

If you have a cough that continues for two or three weeks, then you may have a case of whooping cough. If you have pertussis, then your cough will worsen after one or two weeks instead of getting better. You may notice that you cough uncontrollably as well. While some children will create a whooping sound when they cough, this is not common in adults, so do not listen for this sign to self-diagnose the cough. You may, however, turn red or blue when you have coughing fits, and you also may vomit. You are likely to feel extremely tired as well.

If you think you may have whooping cough, then make an appointment with your primary-care physician. Whooping cough is not caused by a virus like the flu is. It is instead caused by bacteria, and antibiotics are needed to treat the illness. 

A Persistent Fever

A fever is normal when you have the flu and are likely to notice a temperature around 100.4 when you are ill. This temperature is typically described as a mild fever that may rise to about 102 or a bit above. When you have the flu, you will likely have a fever for about three days at the most. If your fever seems to persist, then you may have an infection or an illness other than the flu. 

In many cases, a persistent fever is a sign of an infection in the body that has been directly caused by the flu. For example, a virus can allow opportunistic bacteria to infect the lungs or sinuses. This can lead to bacterial pneumonia, a sinus infection, or an ear infection. Pain will typically present if you have one of these infections. The pain is sometimes described as visceral pain. This pain is deep and dull and will sometimes cause pressure or squeezing in the body. Antibiotics are needed to treat the infections.

Sometimes the fever will be a sign of another type of illness, like an immune disorder. Fevers are common when you experience a Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, or lupus flare. Fevers are common when cancerous tumors develop as well. If you notice that you have a chronic and low-grade fever that persists, then make sure to seek treatment from your physician. Make a list of all of your current symptoms as well as any symptoms that have disappeared since you starting feeling ill. This can help the doctor determine the likely cause of the fever so testing can be completed and so treatments can be offered.

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