Flu
Flu can bring about multiple symptoms that normally show up within 1-3 days of a person becoming infected. Most people often feel better within a week or two, but you may have a lingering cough and still feel tired for an extra couple of weeks.
Common symptoms may include any of the following:
- Fever
- Headache
- Persistent Cough (dry Or With Phlegm)
- Sore Throat
- Weakness/fatigue
- Aching Muscles
- Chills
- Sneezing
- Difficulty Sleeping
- Blocked Or Runny Nose
- Loss Of Appetite
- Sometimes, Nausea Or Vomiting (more Common In Children Than Adults)
If you are otherwise healthy and fit, adequate rest at home, staying warm, drinking lots of fluids, and taking over-the-counter painkillers is typically all that is needed. (As the flu is a virus, antibiotic treatment will not help your body heal.)
Nonetheless, medical treatment is often necessary if you are compromised in one or more of the following ways:
- You are pregnant.
- You are 60 years of age or over.
- You have a weakened immune system.
- You have a long-term medical condition.
- Your symptoms haven’t improved after a week or are getting worse over time (possible secondary infection/pneumonia can develop).
Is it a cold or flu?
Cold symptoms are usually milder than the symptoms of flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. People with flu are much more likely to suffer with fever, headache, and body aches.
What next?
Flu is one of the most frequently treated conditions on Online Doctor Visit. Our doctors can help you determine what type of treatment is needed or if a referral to a specialist is required.
During a video or phone consult, one of our doctors will ask you a series of targeted questions to determine if your symptoms are related to flu or the common cold. If you have symptoms that can/need to be viewed, you can bring your phone, tablet, or desktop with video close to the area of concern so your provider can get a clear view. Your doctor will prescribe a treatment plan based on your medical history as well as the duration and severity of your symptoms. Questions about your work and home environment may also be discussed.
Once a diagnosis has been made, your doctor will go over the risks and benefits of various treatment plans. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your treatment plan may include any or all of the following:
- Anti-viral medication
- Other prescription medications to help with symptoms
- Recommendations for over-the-counter medications
- A referral to a specialist
Every patient is different, so your treatment will be personalized just for you. This page is not a diagnosis; it is meant to give you enough information by which you can easily discuss your concerns and symptoms with your online doctor.