How To Tell If Someone Has The Flu

The flu is a contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract. It is, perhaps, the most common illness seen throughout the winter, aside from the common cold at least. The flu is caused by an influenza virus (the exact strain or strains vary from year to year) and the symptoms can be mild to severe. Symptoms typically commence two days after exposure to the virus and most last less than a week, although the cough may last for more than two weeks. Anyone can get the flu (even healthy individuals), and serious problems related to the flu can happen at any age.

Get familiar with some significant warning signs linked to the flu now.

Coughing And Wheezing

Coughing is perhaps one of the most annoying symptoms out there, regardless of its cause. It is also quite a common symptom, which is why individuals cannot be diagnosed with the flu based on the presence of a cough alone. This is especially important to remember as coughing can occur with the common cold as well. The key indicator on if it’s the flu rather than just a cold is the severity of the cough, particularly if wheezing is present as well. As mentioned, the cough can last for more than two weeks and is often the last flu symptom to disappear.

Continue reading to learn more ways to tell if someone has the flu now.