Flu Symptoms

The flu usually begins abruptly, with a fever between 102 and 106 °F. (An adult typically has a lower fever than a child.) The fever usually lasts for a day or two, 

but can last 5 days.

Other common symptoms include:

• Body aches
• Chills
• Dizziness
• Flushed face
• Headache
• Lack of energy
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• 
  

Somewhere between day 2 and day 4 of the illness, the "whole body" symptoms begin to subside, and respiratory symptoms begin to increase.

The most prominent of the respiratory symptoms is usually a dry, hacking cough. Most people also develop a sore throat and headache. Runny nose (nasal discharge) and sneezing are common.

These symptoms (except the cough) usually disappear within 4 - 7 days. Sometimes, the fever returns. The cough and tiredness usually last for weeks after the rest of the illness is over.

Other symptoms may include:

• Loss of appetite
• Muscle aches and stiffness
• Stuffy, congested nose
• Sweating
• Worsening of underlying illness, such as asthma or heart failure