Take your child to the pediatrician or to the emergency department if he or she displays any of the following symptoms:. Rapid or labored breathing Bluish skin color Not drinking enough to maintain hydration Not waking up or interacting Irritability to the point that he or she doesn't want to be held. Also consult a doctor if your child's flu symptoms improve but then return and include a fever and worse cough. UCSF Health medical specialists have reviewed this information.
It is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or other health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your provider. If you have congestive heart failure , the flu can worsen your condition. Remember that your chances of getting the flu are a lot lower if you get a flu vaccine. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Health Topics. Health Tools. By Beth W. Reviewed: December 6, Medically Reviewed. How do you know when the flu requires medical attention? One in 13 Americans has asthma, a disease that affects the airways in the lungs. Because people with asthma tend to have weaker immune systems, symptoms of the flu are often worse.
If you have asthma, you should see your doctor about taking an antiviral medication. About 92 million Americans have some form of heart disease or live with the aftermath of a stroke. Researchers have found that the risk of a heart attack goes up six-fold during the first week of a confirmed flu infection. If you live with heart disease, the best way to avoid the virus and potential hospital care is to get the flu vaccine.
A high fever and a severe cough that produces green or yellow mucus are possible signs of an infection such as pneumonia. Parents of children under 2 should consult a pediatrician before giving them OTC medications. Antiviral drugs can only be prescribed by a doctor or healthcare provider.
Taking antiviral medications within two days of getting sick has been shown to lessen symptoms and shorten the length of the illness by one day. If you relate to any of the points above, you should make seeing your doctor a priority. Seasonal flu is a viral infection that tends to start spreading in the fall and hits its peak during the winter months.
It can continue into the…. The flu, or influenza, can affect people of all ages and tends to be more common during cold, winter months. While the flu is often described as similar to the common cold, the causes of a cold and the flu are very different. There are over kinds of viruses that can cause the common cold, but the flu is caused by only three: influenza type A, B, and C.
The flu is very contagious and can be spread through basic contact or through the air. It often enters your body through the nose, eyes, and mouth. You can spread the flu for up to seven days after you start seeing symptoms, although young children can be contagious for even longer. The flu is more common in winter, mostly because the virus can live longer and we spend more time indoors near other people.
Your best prevention method against the flu is to wash your hands and keep yourself clean. Doctors also recommend getting a flu shot every year.
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