Influenza (the flu) – What can you do? part 3

How will I feel? – Symptoms

How do people feel when they have the flu?

Most people have these symptoms:

A fever
  • The fever is often 38 C (100.4 F) or higher.
  • It starts suddenly.
  • It usually goes down in 3–5 days.
 Image of man checking body temperature
A dry cough
  • The cough can last for a few weeks.
 image of man coughing into a tissue.
An aching body
  • People have aches and pains. For example: in their head, legs and lower back.
Image of man displaying head pain
Very weak and tired
  • People feel too weak to do anything.
  • They don’t want to get out of bed.
 Image of man displaying weakness

Other Symptoms

Sometimes adults have other symptoms too. For example:

  • The chills (you feel cold)
  • A sore throat
  • A runny nose
  • No appetite (you don't feel like eating)

A baby might also cry more than usual.


 Image of man lying in bed

Are you contagious?

When can you pass the flu to other people?

  • From one day before you have symptoms, until
  • Five (5) days after your symptoms begin.
  
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