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Signs
and symptoms:
- Fever,
chills
- Headache
- General
aches
and pains
- Fatigue,
weakness
- Runny,
stuffy
nose
- Sneezing
- Sore
throat
- Cough
[Go
to Self-Care
Prevention]
Still
not sure?
Ask yourself
with these
questions.
1. With
or following
the flu,
do any
of the
following
symptoms
of meningitis
occur?
- Stiff
neck
(can't
bend
the head
forward
to touch
the chin
to touch
the chest)
- Severe,
persistent
headache
- Red
or purple
rash
that
doesn't
fade
when
pressure
is applied
to the
skin
- Seizure
- Lethargy
If yes to
one of
these symptoms
described
above, please
get immediate
care.
If no,
continue
on to the
next question.
2. After
a recent
case of
the flu,
are any
of these
signs of
Reye's
Syndrome
present?
- Sudden
repeated
vomiting
- Pain
in the
upper
right
area
of abdomen
- Rapid
mental
changes
(agitation,
confusion,
irritability,
delirium)
- Increased
pulse
and breathing
rate
- Lethargy
- Loss
of consciousness
If yes to
one of
these symptoms
described
above, please
get immediate
care.
If no,
continue
on to the
next question.
3.
With the
flu, do you
have extreme
shortness
of breath,
confusion,
or lightheadedness?
If yes to
one of
these symptoms
described
above, please
get immediate
care.
If no,
continue
on to the
next question.
4. Do
you have
a 2 or
more of
these signs
and symptoms
of a sinus
infection?
- Fever
over
101 degree
fahrenheit
- Greenish-yellow
or bloody
colored
nasal
discharge
- Nasal
congestion
with
facial
pain
or pain
in the
upper
teeth
that
does
not improve
over
7 days
- A
feeling
of pressure
inside
the head
- Eye
pain,
blurred
vision,
or changes
in vision
- Cheek
or upper
jaw pain
- Swelling
around
the eyes,
nose,
cheeks,
and forehead
If yes to
one of
these symptoms
described
above, please
see your
doctor.
If no,
continue
on to the
next question.
5.
With cold
or flu symptoms
do you have
one or more
of these
problems?
- A
fever over
100 degree
fahrenheit
for more
than 3
days
- A
sore throat
that is
bright
red or
has white
spots
- An
earache
- A
cough with:
shortness
of breath,
chest tightness,
or wheezing;
chest pain;
or difficulty
sleeping
or lying
down due
to the
cough
- Nasal
congestion
which is
not improved
using self-care
measures
If yes to
one of
these symptoms
described
above, please
see your
doctor.
If no,
continue
on to the
next question.
6.
Have you
had flu symptoms
for less
than 48 hours?
Note: your
doctor may
prescribe
an antiviral
medicine.
If yes to
one of
these symptoms
described
above, please
see your
doctor.
If no to
all questions,
use self-care
prevention.
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Self-Care/
Prevention
- Drink
lots
of
liquids.
- Take
an
over-the-counter
medicine
for
muscle
aches,
and/or
fever,
but
dont
take
aspirin
if
you
have
flu-like
symptoms.
- Use
and
over-the-counter
saline
nasal
spray,
such
as
Ocean
brand.
Use
as
directed
on
the
label.
- Use
a
cool-mist
vaporizer
in
your
room.
- Have
chicken
soup.
It
helps
clear
mucus.
- Take
echinacea,
zinc
lozenges,
and/or
vitamic
C
as
advised
by
your
health
care
provider,
when
cold
or
flu
symptoms start.
Don't
take
echinacea
and/or
zinc
lozenges
long
term.
These
do
not
prevent
colds
and
flu.
For
a
Sore
Throat:
- Gargle
every
few
hours
with
a
solution
of
1/4
teaspoon
of
salt
dissolved
in
1/2
cup
of
warm
water. Make
sure
the
salt
is
dissolved.
- Drink
tea
with
lemon
(with
or
without
honey)
- Suck
on
hard
candy
or
a
medicated
lozenge.
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