Usual Symptoms

• One of the first symptoms of the flu is a high fever, which ranges from 100F to 103F in adults and can run even higher in children. The fever is accompanied by cough, sore throat, chills, muscle aches, headache, runny or stuffy nose, and extreme fatigue. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea also can occur.
  
  

Effects

• Symptoms of the regular flu usually last only a few days, but they can persist for as long as one or two weeks. Even though the disease usually is not life-threatening, there are potentially serious complications, such as pneumonia. The chronically ill and elderly are most at risk.
  
  

Treatment

• Stay home from work or school and drink plenty of liquids. Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen to treat the usual symptoms. Rest is recommended. Your doctor might prescribe an antiviral medication such as Tamiflu to lessen the symptoms.
  
  

Considerations

• Most people do not develop complications from the flu and should treat the symptoms until they disappear after a few days. But if you are in a high-risk group, consult a doctor when the first symptoms appear.
  
  

Prevention/Solution

• The best prevention is to get a flu shot. You also can protect yourself by disinfecting the kitchen and bathrooms, where germs are most prevalent. Personal hygiene such as washing hands with soap and water can help prevent the spread of flu germs.