Fever, body aches, pain and fever and generally feeling grotty – Result of your immune system responding to the infection. It has recognised the virus as a hostile invader and signals to the rest of the body something is wrong by releasing chemicals called cytokines.
Dry cough (you’re not bringing stuff up)- probably down to irritation of cells as they become infected by the virus.
Coughing up sputum – a thick mucus containing dead lung cells killed by the virus.
If one has persistent of symptoms beyond 10 days or progressive worsening after the first 5-7 days suggests a bacterial illness (group A streptococci infection) especially if one has sore and/or scratchy throat, loss of taste and smell and/or difficulty swallowing ad/or feel they is a lump in the throat.
Cough, runny nose , and conjunctivitis (eye infection) are common in viral cold and flu infection.
Nasal congestion can result in a dry mouth especially in the morning.
Short term viral nasal infection typically has symptom resolves within 10 days, with a peak at 3-6 days.
If symptoms last longer than 10 days, or if it does not improve and worsen within 10 days, acute bacterial nasal infection is more likely (not always).
If one feels one has a bacterial infection, one would normally have other symptoms other than sinus pain, please talk to a healthcare professional for further advice and/or treatment
If antibiotics have not helped , then a fungal infection should be considered, a swab test should be preformed.
High temperature greater than 38°C (100°F) or over and/or chills and sweats longer than 72 hours?
Headache which is on and off or a constant headache longer than 24 hours?
Ear infection (earache greater than four days) or a discharge?
Sore throat longer than seven days or more?
Runny nose, congestion, loss of smell and/or cold not cleared by over the counter medication or greater than three weeks (review on day 10 and if symptoms are worsening)?
Have initially a persistent dry cough which has now become a chesty cough with yellow/green and/or blood stained phlegm?
Dry cough longer than three weeks and/or breathing difficulties?
Children aged < 5 years and adults aged ≥ 65 years
Children and adolescents up to 18 years of age receiving aspirin- or salicylate-containing medication who are at risk for Reye syndrome after influenza virus infection
Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice
Detailed Information
Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Cold And Flu Infection in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).
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