The flu, or influenza, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. Early detection of flu symptoms is crucial for effective treatment and preventing the spread to others. The first signs of the flu often appear suddenly, including fatigue, fever, chills, body aches, and a dry cough. Many individuals may also experience a sore throat, runny or congested nose, and headaches as the illness progresses. Recognizing these initial symptoms can help differentiate the flu from a common cold or other illnesses. If you’re experiencing symptoms of the flu, walk into AFC Bound Brook for same-day diagnosis and treatment. Our clinic is open 7 days a week and accepts walk-in patients!
What is the Flu?
The flu is a viral infection that is highly contagious. Flu season tends to begin in the early fall months and can last through the spring. The flu can cause severe illness for some including the elderly, young children, and anyone with a compromised immune system. Because the flu is caused by a virus, you can manage the flu at home in most cases. However, it is important to understand what symptoms are normal for the flu so that you know when to seek medical care for unusual or severe symptoms.
Symptoms of the Flu to Watch Out For
The flu often is ignored in its early stages because it can mimic symptoms from milder conditions such as a cold. However, the flu tends to progress quickly and can cause severe illness. Symptoms typically are short lives and the infection usually will clear up within a week.
Common symptoms of the flu include:
- Sudden or Excessive Fatigue: Sudden or excessive fatigue is often one of the earliest signs of the flu. This type of fatigue comes on quickly and can leave you drained and unable to perform daily activities.
- Fever: Getting a fever is a common symptom of the flu. If your temperature rises above 98.6°F, you have a fever. A fever can cause discomfort, leading to chills, sweating, and body aches.
- Body Aches and Chills: Body aches typically manifest as generalized muscle pain and discomfort, often felt in the back, arms, and legs. These aches are caused by the body's immune response to the infection.
- Dry Cough: A dry cough is a type of cough that doesn't produce mucus or phlegm. It often feels scratchy or ticklish in the throat. Unlike a productive cough, which clears mucus from the airways, a dry cough may persist and sometimes be accompanied by a sore throat or mild chest discomfort.
- Sore Throat: A sore throat often comes with difficulty swallowing, redness, or swelling in the throat.
How to Prevent the Flu
Prevention is the best medicine for the flu. Because the flu is caused by a viral infection, it cannot be treated with medications such as antibiotics. Instead, your body has to fight off the infection which can take up to a week. Getting your annual flu shot greatly reduces your risk of contracting the flu and will cause you to experience more mild symptoms if you do catch the flu. It is important to get the flu shot every year because the flu virus can mutate, making the vaccine from the previous year less effective.
Visit AFC Urgent Care Bound Brook for Same-Day Illness Treatment
If you’re feeling under the weather, seeking medical care before your symptoms early can prevent your symptoms from worsening. At AFC Urgent Care Bound Brook, we understand that getting a last-minute appointment with your primary healthcare provider can be difficult. That is why our walk-in clinic offers same-day care to patients near Bound Brook, NJ - 7 days a week! Simply walk into the clinic for same-day care. We accept most medical insurance plans and have a lab on-site for diagnostic testing available at the time of your visit. Walk-in today!
