Is this your symptom?
- You have symptoms of influenza (Flu) and it's in your community
- Main symptoms: fever AND one or more respiratory other symptoms (cough, sore throat, very runny nose, muscles pains, fatigue, headache)
- Influenza (Flu) is a viral infection
- You think you have influenza because other family members or close friends have it
Symptoms of Influenza
- Main symptoms are a fever with a runny nose, sore throat, and bad cough.
- More muscle pain, headache, fever, and chills than with usual colds. Fatigue (tiredness) also affects many people; some have diarrhea and vomiting.
- If there is no fever, you likely don't have flu. More likely it is a cold.
Cause of Influenza
- Influenza viruses that change yearly
Diagnosis: How to Know You Have Influenza
- Influenza occurs every year in the fall and winter months. During this time, if flu symptoms occur, you probably have the flu.
- You don't need any special tests.
- Call your doctor if you are High-Risk for complications of the flu. See the list below. These are the people who may need prescription anti-viral drugs.
- Low-Risk people usually don't need to see a doctor. If you develop a complication of the flu, then call your doctor. See the "What to Do" section.
High-Risk for Complications from Influenza
People are considered High-Risk for complications if they have any of the following:
- Lung disease (such as asthma)
- Heart disease (such as a congenital heart disease)
- Stroke
- HIV/AIDS
- Cancer or weak immune system conditions
- Neuromuscular disease (such as muscular sclerosis)
- Diabetes, sickle cell disease, kidney disease or liver disease
- Diseases needing long-term aspirin therapy
- Pregnancy or severe obesity
- Adults older than 65 years are considered High-Risk (CDC)
- Racial and ethnic minority groups
- Note: all other adults are referred to as Low-Risk
When to Call for Flu
Call 911 Now
Go to ER Now
Call Doctor or Seek Care Now
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Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours
Contact Doctor During Office Hours
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Self Care at Home
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Call 911 Now
- Severe trouble breathing (struggling for each breath, can barely speak)
- Stopped breathing or long pauses between each breath
- Passed out or feeling like you might pass out
- Trouble breathing with pain in the chest, neck or jaw
- Lips or face are bluish when not coughing
- You think you have a life-threatening emergency
Go to ER Now
- Confused or drowsy
- Trouble breathing or breathing much faster than normal
Call Doctor or Seek Care Now
- Lips or face have turned bluish during coughing
- Wheezing (high-pitched purring or whistling sound when breathing out)
- Stridor (harsh sound with breathing in)
- Chest pain and can't take a deep breath
- You feel dehydrated (dark urine, dry mouth)
- Weak immune system. Examples are: diabetes, sickle cell disease, HIV, cancer, organ transplant, taking oral steroids.
- High-risk for problems from flu. Includes adults with chronic diseases and more than 65 years of age. See that list in Causes.
- Fever higher than 103° F (39.4° C)
- Stiff neck (can't touch chin to the chest)
- You feel weak or very sick
- You think you need to be seen, and the problem is urgent
Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours
- Nonstop coughing spells
- Earache or ear drainage
- Sinus pain (not just congestion) around cheekbones or eyes
- Fever lasts more than 3 days
- Fever returns after being gone for more than 24 hours
- You think you need to be seen, but the problem is not urgent
Contact Doctor During Office Hours
- You need a flu shot
- Coughing has kept you home from work for 3 or more days
- Runny nose lasts more than 10 days
- Cough lasts more than 3 weeks
- Flu symptoms last more than 3 weeks
- You have other questions or concerns
Self Care at Home
- Flu symptoms with no other problems and you are not at high risk for flu
Care Advice for Stomach Pain
What You Should Know About Stomach Pain:
- Mild stomach pain can be caused by something simple. It could be from gas pains or eating too much.
- Sometimes, stomach pain signals the start of a viral infection. This will lead to vomiting or loose stools.
- Watching your child for 2 hours will help tell you the cause.
- Here is some care advice that should help.
Lie Down:
- Have your child lie down and rest until feeling better.
Clear Fluids:
- Offer clear fluids only (such as water, flat soft drinks or half-strength Gatorade).
- For mild pain, offer a regular diet.
Prepare for Vomiting:
- Keep a vomiting pan handy.
- Younger children often talk about stomach pain when they have nausea. Nausea is the sick stomach feeling that comes before they throw up.
Pass a Stool:
- Have your child sit on the toilet and try to pass a stool.
- This may help if the pain is from constipation or diarrhea.
- Note: for constipation, moving a warm wet cotton ball on the anus may help.
Do Not Give Medicines:
- Any drug (like ibuprofen) could upset the stomach and make the pain worse.
- Do not give any pain medicines or laxatives for stomach cramps.
- For fever higher than 102° F (39° C), acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) can be given.
What to Expect:
- With harmless causes, the pain is most often better or gone in 2 hours.
- With stomach flu, belly cramps may happen before each bout of vomiting or diarrhea. These cramps may come and go for a few days.
- With serious causes (such as appendicitis), the pain worsens and becomes constant.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Pain becomes severe
- Constant pain lasts more than 2 hours
- Mild pain that comes and goes lasts more than 24 hours
- You think your child needs to be seen
- Your child becomes worse
Extra Help - Worried Stomach:
- Help your child talk about events that trigger the stomach pain. Talk to your child about how to cope with these the next time around.
- Help your child worry less about things she can't control.
- To treat the pain, help your child get very relaxed. Lying down in a quiet place and taking slow deep breaths may help. Make the belly go up and down with each breath. Then try to relax all the muscles in the body. Think about something pleasant. Listening to audios that teach how to relax might also help.
- Make sure your child gets enough sleep.
- Make sure that your child doesn't miss any school because of stomach pains. Stressed children tend to want to stay home when the going gets rough.
- Caution: your child should see her doctor for an exam. Do this before concluding frequent stomach pains are from worrying too much.
