Flu Symptoms

2008-2009 Flu Season

Even when you don't consider the bird flu or a possible pandemic flu strain, the flu is a bad virus and according to the CDC, can 'cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.'

Still, a lot of illnesses and symptoms get blamed on the flu, especially during the winter, that likely are caused by other viral illnesses or other conditions.

If you consider that only 5 to 20 percent of people get the flu each year, and they typically get it just once, then every cough, cold, ache, pain, and fever, can't be caused by the flu.

Flu Symptoms

Understanding what typical flu symptoms are in children can help you figure out if your child is sick with the flu. They can include a sudden onset of:

• high fever
• muscle aches and pains
• weakness and tiredness
• headache
• dry cough
• sore throat
• stuffy or runny nose
• nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (least common flu symptoms)

Keep in mind that many other viral illness can cause cold or 'flu-like symptoms,' although flu symptoms are usually more intense than regular cold symptoms. However, sometimes the only way that you can tell the difference between a cold and the flu is by doing a flu test. This can be important because flu medicines, like Tamiflu, can help to decrease the severity of flu symptoms and help your child get better sooner.

References

^{CDC Fact Sheet Key Facts about Influenza and the Influenza Vaccine}