How To Tell If Someone Has The Flu

Fever And Chills

When it comes to differentiating between the common cold and the flu, one of the easiest indicators is whether or not an individual is dealing with a fever and chills. These symptoms often appear together, but they are a clear sign of the flu and rarely occur alongside the common cold. The normal temperature range for a healthy individual with between ninety-eight and one hundred degrees Fahrenheit. Anything above this is considered a fever. Chills are the body’s way of trying to warm itself up, which can sound odd when an individual is running a fever, but there is a reason. The body, when ill, sets a new internal temperature that’s higher than normal, and this can make someone feel cold even if they’re warmer than normal, triggering the muscle contractions and shivering that make up chills.

Continue reading to learn more about the symptoms associated with the flu now.

Sore Throat

A sore throat can sometimes be one of the first symptoms of the flu. Individuals might at first believe the discomfort is due to a cold, but the symptoms rapidly become worse when the problem is the flu. The soreness might start as a scratchy, uncomfortable tickle. Most affected will try to soothe it with home remedies like tea with honey. If individuals experience an inexplicable sore throat during flu season, they might want to be cautious. The reason their throat becomes sore in any case is due to an inflammation of the tissues in their pharynx. These tissues are located behind the mouth. Because the common cold and flu present with similar symptoms, patients may not realize their sore throat is a sign of something serious. Flu symptoms tend to come on quickly and more severely than cold symptoms. The soreness is typically the result of a viral infection.

Get more information on the warning signs of the flu now.