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Flu / Influenza Symptoms


Recommended Links:
www.flu.gov | www.cdc.gov
DeKalb County Health Department - Hotline 815.748.2410
LaSalle County Health Department - Phone 815.433.3366, then press 8
Kendall County Health Department - Hotline 630.553.8340

How do I know if I have a cold or the flu? click here!

When should you seek additional help from a healthcare provider?

The symptoms of influenza are:

  • Fever—low (100°F) to high (104°F), and sore throat and/or cough usually for 3 days, but may persist for 4 to 8 days.

Some other symptoms may include:

  • Aching muscles
  • Headache
  • Joint aches
  • Eye pain
  • Feeling very cold or having shaking chills
  • Feeling very tired
  • Runny or stuffy nose

If you have some of the above symptoms, STAY HOME!

Rest, drink fluids, and take fever reducers (acetaminophen or ibuprofen).
See your healthcare provider as soon as possible to receive antiviral therapy, if appropriate, if you are a high-risk category, such as:

  • children younger than 5 years old
  • adults 65 years and older
  • pregnant women
  • persons with certain chronic medical or immunosuppressive conditions
  • persons younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy

But if you:

  • are unable to drink enough fluids (urine becomes dark, you may feel dizzy when standing)
  • have fever for more than 3 -5 days
  • feel better, then develop a fever again

Call your healthcare provider.

Or if you:

  • become short of breath or you develop wheezing
  • cough up blood
  • have pain in your chest with breathing
  • have heart disease (like angina) or congestive heart failure
  • become unable to walk, sit up or function normally (others might be the ones to notice this, especially in elderly persons)

Go right away for healthcare.

If your child experiences any of the following, seek emergency care:

  • fast breathing or trouble breathing
  • bluish or gray skin color
  • not drinking enough fluids
  • severe or persistant vomiting
  • not waking up or not interacting
  • being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
  • flu-like symptoms improve then return with fever and worse cough

If you have further questions, please call the Infection Control Department
at 815.756.1521 x154048.