Does The Flu Linger And Keep You Fatugu After Its Over

Overview

What are colds and the flu?

The common cold and the influenza (influenza) are infections of the upper respiratory organisation - the nose, mouth, throat and lungs. The infections are caused past viruses.

How can I tell if I have a common cold or the influenza?

Colds and flu take many of the same symptoms. However, common cold symptoms are usually milder than flu symptoms and develop more slowly.

Symptoms and Causes

What are the symptoms of colds and influenza?

Symptoms of Colds and Flu

Symptom	Cold	Flu
Fever	Adults-rare; children- sometimes	High fever (100°F and higher; can last 3 to four days)
Runny olfactory organ	Mutual (Nasal belch may have a yellow- or green-colored tint)	Sometimes
Stuffy nose	Common	Sometimes
Headache	Sometimes (commonly mild)	Common
Trunk aches	Sometimes (ordinarily mild)	Common (tin can be severe)
Fatigue	Sometimes (usually mild)	Common (can last up to two-3 weeks)
Exhaustion	Never	Common (at the commencement of flu)
Chills, sweat	No	Common (extreme)
Nausea	Uncommon	Common
Loss of appetite	Sometimes	Mutual
Sneezing	Common	Sometimes
Coughing	Common	Common (can be intense)
Sore pharynx	Common	Sometimes
Breast congestion, discomfort	Mutual (mild to moderate)	Common (tin can exist severe)
Watery optics	Common	Sometimes

Management and Treatment

Tin colds and the influenza exist "cured" with medications?

No medicines can "cure" colds and flu. However, there are many over-the-counter (OTC) medicines that can ease the discomfort caused by the symptoms of colds and flu. In improver, there are prescription medicines and a vaccine that can care for and foreclose the flu.

Notation on antibiotics: Colds and the influenza are causes past viruses and cannot be cured with antibiotics. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections, such as strep throat and ear, pare and urinary tract infections. Using antibiotics for infections they are not able to treat makes the antibiotics less effective for infections they are supposed to treat (a situation chosen antibiotic resistance). Never take antibiotics to treat colds and flu.

To ease the discomfort from specific cold and flu symptoms, consider using the following types of OTC medicines:

To reduce fever and pain — analgesics: Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) is mostly preferred. Ibuprofen (Advil®) or naproxen (Naprosyn®) is also normally used. Aspirin should be avoided due to its risk of developing Reye'south syndrome. (Reye'south syndrome is a status that affects all body organs and is most harmful to the brain and liver.) Note on acetaminophen: Read all cold medicine parcel labels. Do not take more than than ane drug that contains acetaminophen. Taking too much acetaminophen can damage your liver. Acetaminophen doses should non exceed iv grams per solar day. Individuals with liver impairment or liver problems should not exceed 2 grams of acetaminophen per mean solar day.
To dry out out the nose — antihistamines: Endeavor an antihistamine, such equally diphenhydramine (Benadryl®). Considering these products can make y'all sleepy, avert driving and other complex tasks while taking these medicines. Loratadine (Claritin®), bachelor (OTC), is a non-drowsy alternative, but may not exist as effective every bit other antihistamines for reducing common cold and influenza symptoms. Other OTC antihistamines include Allegra®, Zyrtec® and Xyzal®.
To relieve a stuffy, clogged nose — decongestants: Endeavour an oral decongestant, such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed®). Still, insomnia, nervousness and irritability tin occur when taking these drugs. Those who are pregnant or have uncontrolled loftier blood pressure should avoid pseudoephedrine products. Frequently decongestants are combined with other drugs (especially antihistamines) in OTC medicines. A "-D" at the cease of a medicine'southward name means it includes an oral decongestant.
To relieve a runny nose or sinus pressure — nasal steroids: Medications similar fluticasone (Flonase®, available without a prescription) or mometasone (Nasonex®; prescription needed) can relieve symptoms. These medicines are also used for seasonal allergies. These are not the same as Afrin® or other OTC nasal preparations. Antihistamines volition besides assist.
To brand blowing your nose easier or loosening cough/mucus production — expectorants: Try guaifenesin (Robitussin®, Mucofen®, Humibid LA®, Mucinex®, Humibid E®). These products aid thin the thick, discolored drainage coming out of the nose and mouth.
To reduce coughing — antitussives: Dextromethorphan tin can aid suppress cough.
To relieve a sore throat: Try throat lozenges (such as Cepacol®) or gargle with warm table salt h2o a few times a solar day. Analgesics are also helpful.
For other symptoms: OTC common cold products (for instance, Nyquil® or Tylenol Cold & Sinus®) can provide much relief. Be sure to read production labels to detect the best cold preparation to match your symptoms and to determine if that medicine is prophylactic for you lot.

What are other ways to care for and prevent the flu?

Antiviral prescription medicines and an annual flu vaccine are available for treating and preventing the flu.

Prescription anti-influenza medicines include amantadine (Symmetrel®), rimantadine (Flumadine®), zanamivir (Relenza®) and oseltamivir (Tamiflu®). These drugs do not cure the influenza, but they tin can brand the symptoms milder and brand you feel better more quickly. They are only constructive when used in the outset 48 hours of flu-like symptoms.

These drugs are not needed for healthy people who get the influenza. They are usually reserved for people who are very ill with the flu (for case, those who have been hospitalized) or those who are at take a chance of complications from the flu, such as people with long-term chronic medical conditions (such every bit diabetes or chronic obstructive lung disease, asthma) or older age.

Flu vaccine (by shot and nasal spray). Although in that location is currently no vaccine against the common cold, at that place is a vaccine to forestall the flu. The vaccine is available by both shot and nasal spray. It works past exposing the allowed system to the viruses. The body responds by building antibodies (the torso'southward defense system) confronting the flu. The flu shot contains dead influenza viruses. The nasal spray contains alive, but weakened, influenza viruses. The nasal spray is just approved for healthy children and adults two to 49 years old and who are not pregnant.

Prevention

Who should get an annual influenza shot?

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends the post-obit groups receive an almanac flu vaccine shot between November and February (flu season):

All people anile 6 months and older.

It is specially important for certain individuals at loftier take a chance of flu complications and those who come in contact with people at high take chances of complications to receive the influenza vaccine. These people at loftier take chances include:

Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.
People who have chronic medical conditions such every bit asthma, eye disease, diabetes, kidney and liver disorders and chronic lung diseases.
People with a weakened immune system, for example, people with cancer, HIV/AIDS, or chronic steroid users.
Household members and caregivers of patients at chance of complications from the flu.
Women who are — or will be — pregnant during the flu season (regardless of trimester).
Healthcare workers who come up into close contact with patients in hospitals, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and other healthcare facilities.
Infants and children ages six months through 18 years who are taking long-term aspirin therapy. This puts these individuals at risk for experiencing Reye syndrome afterward flu infection.
American Indians/Alaska natives.
People who have close contact with children nether five years of age — for example, people who live with children, nannies and providers of daycare services.
People who are morbidly obese (body-mass index of 40 or higher).

Tin can I get the flu from the flu shot or nasal spray?

No, you cannot get the flu from the influenza shot or nasal spray. However, some people can all the same become the flu even though they had the vaccine. In these cases, the flu symptoms are milder compared with unvaccinated people who become the influenza.

What else tin can I do to prevent getting colds and the flu?

Wash your hands oft with soap and h2o or alcoholic mitt wipes. Cold and flu viruses are spread by touching your nose or mouth after touching an infected person, animate in the air of an infected person's sneeze or cough, or touching objects that have come in contact with the virus so touching your nose.

Other prevention tips are to eat healthy, exercise, become plenty of sleep, drink plenty of liquids (effort to potable eight 8-ounce glasses of fluid/day), and avoid close contact with people who accept colds. Besides, get an annual flu vaccine.

Living With

What tin happen if colds or the influenza worsen?

Colds or flu that worsen can atomic number 82 to:

Pneumonia.
Bronchitis.
Sinus infections.
Ear infection.
Worsening of existing health bug such as asthma and congestive heart failure.

Complications triggered by the flu can lead to hospitalization, life-threatening situations and fifty-fifty death.

When should I call my healthcare provider?

Phone call if you lot experience any of the following:

Symptoms that terminal or go worse after x days.
Shortness of breath or problem animate.
High fever (greater than 102°F) for 3 or more than days.
Pain or force per unit area in your chest.
Coughing upward claret.
Sudden dizziness or feeling faint.
Severe airsickness.
Confusion.
Astringent sinus hurting.
Swollen glands in cervix or jaw.

Source: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/13756--colds-and-flu-symptoms-treatment-prevention-when-to-call

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