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The flu
Alternative Names: Flu; Influenza A; Influenza B Symptoms: Fever - may be high Headache Tiredness Dry cough Sore throat Stuffy, congested nose Muscle aches and stiffness Other symptoms may include: Nasal discharge Shortness of breath Wheezing Croupy cough Chills Fatigue Malaise Sweating Loss of appetite Vomiting Dizziness Worsening of underlying illness, such as asthma or heart failure Signs and tests: Text Continues Below The evaluation of an individual with flu symptoms should include a thorough physical exam and, in cases where pneumonia is suspected, a chest x-ray. Additional blood work may be needed. They may include a complete blood count, blood cultures, and sputum cultures. The most common method for diagnosing the flu is an antigen detection test, which is done by swabbing the nose and throat, then sending a sample to the laboratory for testing. The results of these tests can be available rapidly, and can help decide if specific treatment is appropriate. However, the diagnosis can often be made by simply identifying symptoms without further testing. References: CDC Recommends Against the Use of Amantadine and Rimantadine for the Treatment or Prophylaxis of Influenza in the United States during the 2005-06 Influenza Season. Atlanta, Ga. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; January 14, 2006. Long SS, Pickering LK, and Prober CG, eds. Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 2nd Ed. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone, 2003:1159-1160. Page:  1 | 2 | Next >>