Flu symptoms: What you might feel

Are you wondering if you have seasonal flu, including swine flu? While seasonal or swine flu symptoms often mimic a cold, a common cold rarely causes a temperature over 38℃. Let's learn more about flu symptoms - including swine flu symptoms - so you are fully prepared if you fall ill. 

Why do I need to know about flu symptoms?

Flu - whether seasonal flu or swine flu - is an acute respiratory infection caused by a variety of flu viruses. It's important to understand flu symptoms so you can seek immediate treatment, especially if you have a chronic medical condition.

The earlier you recognise that you have the flu can also make a difference in how long it lasts. Newer prescription medications called antiviral medicines - zanamivir and oseltamivir - are most effective when given within 48 hours of the onset of flu symptoms. These flu medicines are effective against the typical strains of seasonal flu as well as swine flu. They can decrease the duration of the flu by one day if used within this early window. These antivirals are usually given for a period of about five to seven days.

How will I know flu season has started?

Seasonal flu follows a fairly predictable pattern, starting in the autumn and ending in the spring. A good sign that seasonal flu season has started is the sudden increase in the number of school-aged children ill at home with flu-like symptoms. This initial flu outbreak is soon followed by similar infection in other age groups, especially adults.

How are flu symptoms different from symptoms with colds?

Unlike symptoms of a common cold, flu symptoms usually come on suddenly. Whether seasonal flu or swine flu, it usually starts with the abrupt onset of temperature, headache, fatigue and body aches. Here's a list of flu symptoms you might feel:

• high temperature
• severe aches and pains in the joints and muscles and around the eyes
• generalised weakness
• ill appearance with warm, flushed skin and red, watery eyes
• headache
• dry cough
• sore throat and watery discharge from your nose.

Seasonal influenza is not normally associated with gastrointestinal symptoms, like diarrhoea and vomiting, at least not in adults. However, these symptoms appear to be more common with swine flu.

What are common flu symptoms in children?

Typical signs of seasonal or swine flu in children include high-grade temperature, up to 40℃, chills, muscle aches, headaches, sore throat, dry cough and just plain feeling ill. Flu may also cause vomiting and diarrhoea. These flu symptoms usually last for three to four days, but cough and tiredness may linger for up to two weeks after the fever has gone away. Other family members or close contacts often have a similar illness.