A lot of times there’s no appetite with pneumonia, and there can be some body aches.” A pneumonia cough also has mucus in it. Also, if certain symptoms escalate, this could be an indication of flu, not just a chest cold, and you, again, should consider getting checked out ASAP. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website. Although the effects may linger, many people can expect their symptoms to resolve within a few weeks. In this article, we provide an overview of post-viral syndrome, including its causes and symptoms. Respiratory syncytial virus or RSV has symptoms that can also be mistaken for the flu (or a cold). Doctors explain how to tell if you have a head cold or something more serious that requires medical attention, such as the flu, strep throat, meningitis, or mono. We're loving their inspirational, body-positive messages. The symptoms of anxiety can be hard to detect. Get a good night’s rest with these remedies. Some tests can help your doctor figure out which flu virus you have, influenza A or B. 6. This is when they work best. Influenza Surveillance Report (FluView), Past Flu Seasons Flu Forecasting Accuracy Results, Tools to Prepare Your Practice for Flu Season, Information for Clinicians on Influenza Virus Testing, Multiplex Assays Authorized for Simultaneous Detection of Influenza Viruses and SARS-CoV-2, Information on Collection of Respiratory Specimens for Influenza Virus Testing, Information for Clinicians on Rapid Diagnostic Testing for Influenza, Information on Rapid Molecular Assays, RT-PCR, and other Molecular Assays for Diagnosis of Influenza Virus Infection, Algorithm: Interpreting Influenza Testing Results When Influenza is Circulating, Algorithm: Interpreting Influenza Testing Results When Influenza is NOT Circulating, Guide: Influenza Diagnostic Testing in Closed Setting Outbreaks, Guidance: Standard-Based Electronic Laboratory Reporting, Guidance: Antiviral and Obstetric Health Care, Guidance: Outbreak Management in Long-Term Care Facilities, Guidance: Use of Mask to Control Influenza Transmission, Guidance: Prevention & Control in Peri- and Postpartum Settings, Health Professional References & Resources, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

Unlike the flu, though, RSV symptoms usually appear gradually. RT-PCR) since detection of influenza virus infection and prompt initiation of antiviral therapy is most clinically beneficial, and prompt implementation of infection prevention and control measures is essential for prevention of nosocomial influenza outbreaks. ; Blood tests for TB are also available, and health care professionals may use them in place of the PPD skin test. I wish I knew why this happens. Saving Lives, Protecting People, IDSA Influenza Clinical Practice Guidelines, Guidance on antiviral treatment of influenza, Prevention Strategies for Seasonal Influenza in Health Care Settings, Higher Risk of Complications from Influenza, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), Reconstruction of the 1918 Influenza Pandemic Virus, 2019-2020 Preliminary In-Season Burden Estimate, Who is at High Risk for Flu Complications, Who Should & Who Should NOT Get Vaccinated, Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV)/Nasal Spray Vaccine, Selecting Viruses for the Seasonal Influenza Vaccine, Flu Vaccine and People with Egg Allergies, Frequently Asked Questions on Vaccine Supply, Historical Reference of Vaccine Doses Distributed, Hospitalized Adult Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Network (HAIVEN), How Vaccine Effectiveness and Efficacy are Measured, What People with a Staph Infection Should Know about Flu, Resources for Hosting a Vaccination Clinic, Overview of Influenza Surveillance in the United States, Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network (FluSurv-NET), Weekly U.S.

Like pneumonia, meningitis can be caused by either a viral or a bacterial infection. In most years, in the majority of samples tested, the influenza virus is not present (see figure). © 2004-2020 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company.

In some cases, the person will require no treatment, and managing the symptoms until they feel better will be enough. Guidance on antiviral treatment of influenza is available. Bronchitis treatment consists of rest, drinking lots of fluids, and taking meds that can relieve symptoms.

Antiviral treatment is clinically most beneficial when started as close to illness onset as possible. The trigger for post-viral syndrome appears to be a reaction to the virus itself. Even a negative test is helpful because it can rule out TB and help your doctor find other causes for your symptoms. Bronchitis symptoms also tend to center on your chest and throat, instead of the full-body aches common with the flu, she adds. Continued Other TB Tests. Some treatments and home remedies may relieve fatigue and help people manage their energy levels. How to handle a physician who doubts or dismisses your symptoms.

Flu Symptoms: How Do You Know When You Have It. Anyone experiencing symptoms for more than a few weeks after recovering from the virus should see their doctor for a diagnosis. RELATED: The Truth About Drinking Fluids When You're Sick, “If you suspect you have the flu, then you should see the doctor within 48 hours because [antiviral] medicine has to be taken very quickly,” Dr. Peterson says. Influenza vaccine effectiveness is moderate and so a history of current season influenza vaccination does not exclude a diagnosis of influenza. Pneumonia can come separately from the flu or it can be a secondary complication of getting sick. Overall, the annual influenza vaccine offers safe and effective protection against the seasonal flu.

Largely thought of as a disease of the past, tuberculosis still kills over a million people worldwide each year. When your doctor finds the flu virus, he can give you antiviral drugs early on. But be on the alert for signs of trouble such as shortness of breath, chest or abdominal pain, dizziness, or dehydration. Doctors can listen for telltale signs of pneumonia by putting a stethoscope to your chest, says Dr. Peterson. Less common causes of ILI include bacteria such as Legionella, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. The tuberculosis skin test is another name for the tuberculin test or PPD test. Most viral infections, including the flu, tend to go away on their own. © 2005 - 2019 WebMD LLC. They will then order any necessary treatments and possibly give the individual some additional tips on how to manage their symptoms. Antiviral treatment is recommended as soon as possible for outpatients with suspected or confirmed influenza who are at high-risk for complications from influenza, or those with progressive disease not requiring hospital admission. During an epidemic, 60–70% of patients with a clear influenza-like illness actually have influenza. In people who develop active TB of the lungs, also called pulmonary TB, the TB skin test will often be positive. A sample may be obtained from around the nose simply by wiping with a dry cotton swab.[8]. "I'm petrified," the actress said when she shared the news that her breast cancer came back. COVID-19. Health.com may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Symptoms often come on slowly, but they can mimic the flu; you might feel really, really tired, spike a fever, or have a sore throat and body aches. The main difference is how quickly the symptoms come on. With this type of pneumonia, “the cough is pretty persistent and unrelenting and often associated with chest pain,” Weston says. However, some cases may last a few months, and doctors may offer other treatment options for people who experience bothersome symptoms for a longer period. If the patient is critically ill on invasive mechanical ventilation, and has tested negative for influenza viruses on an upper respiratory tract specimen, including by a molecular assay, a lower respiratory tract specimen (endotracheal aspirate or bronchioalveolar lavage fluid) should be collected for influenza testing by RT-PCR or other molecular assays.

There’s no test for bronchitis like there is for the flu, so doctors usually diagnose it by asking about symptoms and examining you. Mayo Clinic: "Bird flu (avian influenza)." But he may want to give you a quick test to be sure the influenza virus is to blame, and not another health problem. To receive weekly email updates about Seasonal Flu, enter your email address: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. [11][12][13] Chemotherapeutic agents also commonly cause flu-like symptoms. [16], During the 2009 flu pandemic, many thousands of cases of ILI were reported in the media as suspected swine flu. If you have a positive test result and you have symptoms or are considered at high risk of TB exposure, you’ll likely be prescribed medications to clear up the infection and relieve symptoms.

If you’re experiencing any of these in addition to your flu-like symptoms, call your doctor or head to an emergency room. Up to 10% of people with inactive TB who do not receive treatment would develop active TB.

From easier cramps to a heavier flow, here's a guide on what to expect decade by decade. The only way to know for sure you have the flu is to get tested–but there are subtle clues to help you distinguish between influenza and something else. The nagging cough of bronchitis can last up to three weeks, longer than a cough from the flu.