Influenza (Flu) Causes, Symptoms, and Emergency Room Treatment

What is Influenza?

Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. Influenza can cause mild to severe illness and may sometimes lead to death. The best way to prevent the illness is to get an influenza vaccine (shot) every year.

The most common symptoms include a high fever, runny nose, sore throat, muscle pains, headache, coughing, and tiredness. If you have flu-like symptoms, you may need to be evaluated for COVID as well. Please see below to set up an appointment to be evaluated by one of our board-certified emergency room physicians.

Influenza (Flu) Emergency Room Treatment

Influenza, may seem common, but it can still be a life-threatening illness if it is not treated properly. Our board-certified emergency room doctors are available 24 hours to diagnose and treat the illness to alleviate the symptoms.

SignatureCare Emergency Center ERs are equipped with top-of-the-line testing and diagnostic technology. Schedule an appointment at the emergency room near you or just walk in. We treat all medical emergencies 24/7.

Regular Influenza Symptoms

Detecting influenza early is important towards minimizing its impact on your life. Various symptoms exist that will appear one to three days after you are infected by the contagious virus.

These early influenza symptoms include:

Sore throat
Weakness
Severe fatigue
Dehydration from diarrhea and/or vomiting
High fever (102 degrees and more), increased sweating and frequent chills
General joint and muscle pains, especially in the back and legs
Headache
Confusion
An initial dry cough that turns into a serious cough at times (mucous is often coughed up)

Influenza symptoms in children

The influenza virus causes all the above symptoms in children, but your child may have other symptoms that require medical attention, including:

Not drinking enough fluids
Crying without shedding tears
Not waking up or interacting
Refusing to eat
Fever with a rash
Difficulty urinating

Common Cause of Influenza

Influenza is caused by the extremely contagious flu virus. You are exposed to this virus when you are around infected people who cough and sneeze continuously. Fluids are spread through the air, and when you encounter them, it is likely to infect you as well.

See also: The Difference Between the Common Cold and the Flu.

The same fluids may end up on common surfaces, and if you touch those surfaces and then touch your mouth, eyes, or nose, you could be infected.

If you have reduced immunity or an underlying medical condition and spend a lot of time around infected individuals, you are likely to become infected too. If you are not immunized, you could easily spread the virus to others who encounter you regularly.

Certain people are more likely to be infected with the influenza virus:

Staff members in nursing homes and long-term care facilities
Caregivers of homeless people
Direct caregivers in public and private hospitals
Individuals who care for an individual with a chronic illness or anyone who is aged 65 or older
People working with children daily
People involved in the pig or poultry industry

When to Visit the Emergency Room for Influenza

Coughing up yellow or green mucus
Severe headaches
Difficulty breathing

If you are experiencing severe influenza symptoms, please visit the closest emergency room. SignatureCare Emergency Center has several emergency room locations with board-certified physicians, and we are open 24/7. Schedule an emergency room appointment with us today if you are experiencing flu symptoms.