This time of the year is notorious for the flu going around. Whether you have a little one in school or you work in an office building, the last thing that you want is to find yourself deep into the flu and the awful symptoms that come with it. Whether you’re wanting to catch it early on or you simply want to be more prepared to watch your kiddos attending their first year of school, recognizing the early signs and symptoms of the flu can be one of the best ways to get ahead of it.
The team at AFM Healthcare in Winter Park fully understand how daunting the idea of the flu can be. That is why we wanted to take some time to go over the various flu symptoms that you’ll see early on. Let’s dive right in.
FATIGUE
One of the most common signs of sickness is fatigue. When your body is getting sick, it’s constantly working to battle the virus. While this is exactly what it’s supposed to do, it can really drain the body, leaving you feeling fatigued, even if you’ve had a relatively easy day. Given that fatigue is one of the first signs that you’ll see, we always suggest recognizing this sign and taking the time to rest. This provides your body with all of the energy that it needs to battle the virus and get you back to feeling your best.
BODY ACHES
Another sign that you may have the flu is body aches. Body aches are exactly what they sound like, but can be easy to dismiss. If you start to feel as though your body has suddenly become difficult to move or you’re sore after doing nothing at all, it’s time to start caring for your body because there’s a good chance that you’re going to get sick. This is another time where plenty of rest can make all the difference in how your body copes with this symptom.
COUGH
A cough is one of the first symptoms that people will actually recognize as a sign that they’re sick. While fatigue and body aches are two of the earliest symptoms, they can easily be signed off as simply being tired from a long day at work or a tough day at the gym. With that being said, a cough is a symptom of the flu, and while it will come early on, it’s not necessarily going to be downhill from there. A cough normally means that the virus has settled in and your body is getting ready to go into the toughest part of the battle against the influenza virus. At this point, the following symptoms are also common.
SORE THROAT
Alongside a cough, many will experience a sore throat. Though that is often the case, a sore throat could be the only symptom that is experienced, but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t warrant the same amount of attention. If you start to notice that your throat, or your child’s throat is sore, it could be because of the flu. Increase the amount of water that you’re drinking and add in some hot tea to care for your tender throat.
FEVER
The symptom that sends most people into panic is the fever that often comes with the flu. As an adult, it can be easier to wait it out and give your body the rest it needs. Many adults, to no surprise, will actually try and work through a fever not realizing the alarms that your body is sending to slow down and get some rest. As parents, however, adults are extremely aware of their child’s temperature and whether or not they have a fever. It is recommended that you go to the doctor once your child’s fever has reached 104 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, but up until then, give them plenty of fluids, bundle them up, and let them rest. With that being said, make sure you do the same for yourself if you find that you have a fever.
VISIT AFM HEALTHCARE IN WINTERPARK
The flu is one of the inevitable parts of this time of the year, but that doesn’t mean that you have to be one of the people that winds up sick with it. AFM Healthcare in Winter Park is dedicated to providing you with the information and care that you need to prioritize your health at all times. Whether you are interested in getting a flu shot or you’re concerned about some of the symptoms that you’ve been dealing with, reach out to our team. We would be more than happy to answer any questions that you have or schedule an appointment for you.