Symptoms

• Early symptoms of influenza often resemble the common cold and begin to physically affect the body within one to seven days of infection. Typical symptoms include sore throat, tiredness, chills, headache, fever, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and muscle soreness. While adults often run a fever of around 101 degrees Fahrenheit and do not experience any stomach problems such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, stomach illness and fever as high as 105 degrees Fahrenheit are fairly common in children. Visit a doctor within 48 hours of the first sign of influenza to allow treatment to take its full effect.
  
  

Diagnosis

• Usually doctors will diagnose influenza based on a patient's symptoms, however since other respiratory infections can have similar symptoms, diagnostic testing may be necessary. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that healthcare professionals use rapid diagnostic testing in a patient population to discern what viruses are active in the community and to produce an updated vaccination. A doctor can usually perform a diagnostic test and get the results back within 15 to 30 minutes in an outpatient setting. According to the CDC, these tests, performed in a physician's office, are called Commercial Rapid Diagnostic Tests and may be administered via a number of means including throat swab, nasal swab, or nasal wash.
  
  

Treatment

• If treated with prescription antiviral medication within 48 hours of infection, the impact of the influenza virus may be shortened by up to two days. The most common prescription antiviral medications, brand named Tamiflu and Relenza, are proven to directly attack the infection and limit the affect of symptoms. When buying over-the-counter medication for the flu, look for chest decongestants and antihistamines. In addition, be sure to combine plenty of sleep with frequent consumption of fluids such as juices, water and soup. Failure to treat influenza properly could lead to serious and potentially fatal complications.
  
  

Prevention

• Vaccination is the best way to prevent against the influenza virus, but patients need to remember that flu vaccines cannot be totally guaranteed to keep them safe from the flu. Vaccination can be administered via a nasal spray (often used with high risk patients) or, more commonly, a shot. Since the virus is constantly changing and the body cannot always adapt to new strains of the virus, doctors recommend a flu shot each year. In addition, individuals should wash their hands frequently, especially during flu season (September to March), and avoid contact with infected people. Taking 500 milligrams daily of vitamin C will strengthen the immune system.
  
  

Risks

• Certain people are at a greater risk for serious complications including pneumonia from the influenza virus. High-risk individuals include children under six months of age and adults over 65 years of age, especially those residing in nursing homes. Nursing home workers and healthcare providers, along with anyone with lung, heart or respiratory disease, are also at high risk for complications and should get vaccinated yearly.