Influenza (flu or trangkaso) is a common viral respiratory infection. Although doctors agree that most cases of the flu can resolve on their own, knowing the various trangkaso symptoms will help patients better manage their condition at home. What are the sintomas ng trangkaso that you should be aware of?
Most Common Trangkaso or Flu Symptoms
The common cold and the flu have similar symptoms, which is why many people find it difficult to tell the two illnesses apart. To learn how to differentiate trangkaso from the common cold, you can head over to this article:
If a person has the flu, he or she will most likely experience the following symptoms:
Fever
Normal body temperature varies from person to person, but if someone has a fever, they’ll probably have a temperature of around 37.8 degree Celsius. In many instances, there is a sudden onset of moderate to high fever. In some cases, the fever is accompanied by chills and sweats.
Although fever is a common sintomas ng trangkaso, not all patients who contract the flu experience it.
Body pains and headache
Body aches and pains are also some of the most common flu or trangkaso symptoms. In fact, many patients report that they feel “severe” pains in different parts of their bodies. However, the most common locations for these aches and pains are in the head, behind the eyes, legs, and lower back.
Cough and chest discomfort
Coughing is also another sintomas ng trangkaso or flu symptom to watch out for. People who contract the flu often describe their cough is dry. At times, the patient may also experience chest pain.
Weakness
How a person feels flu-related weakness varies. Some people simply feel tired even though they are not doing anything strenuous. They also report that the tiredness or weakness persisted for 2 to 3 weeks.
Others endure exhaustion. But, in many reports, patients only feel it when they first become sick with the flu. People who feel exhausted often describe it as “not wanting to get out of bed”.
Loss of appetite and nausea
When discussing the different trangkaso symptoms, loss of appetite is not always included. However, it’s still one of the usual symptoms. For children, parents might also notice nausea or the “need or want to vomit.”
Additional Trangkaso or Flu Symptoms
Aside from the common trangkaso or flu symptoms mentioned above, people who suffer from the flu could also experience the following:
- Shortness of breath
- Runny nose or stuffy nose
- Sneezing
- Difficulty sleeping
- Diarrhea and vomiting (most common in children)
Progression of Trangkaso or Flu Symptoms
Besides knowing the different sintomas ng trangkaso or flu symptoms, it’s also crucial to understand how these symptoms will most likely progress as the infection runs its course. Here’s what the patient can expect:
Days 1 to 3. On days 1 to 3 of the flu, expect most of the common symptoms to appear. This means that a patient will most likely develop body pains, fever, headache, weakness, dry cough, and sore throat.
Days 4 to 7. At this point, someone who has the flu may notice that their temperature is decreasing and that their body aches and pains are improving. However, there could still be cough, sore throat, and weakness. Chest discomfort or pain might also be more noticeable in this stage.
Day 8 onwards. After a week, most of the trangkaso or flu symptoms would have improved, but the cough and weakness may still be there. These two will most likely persist for up to 2 weeks.
When to Seek Medical Help
If you’re worried or are experiencing extreme discomfort with your flu symptoms, don’t hesitate to consult your doctor. But, generally, trangkaso or flu will go away on its own with plenty of rest and fluids. During your check-up, the doctor may give you over-the-counter (OTC) medicines to help improve your symptoms.
Seek medical help immediately if you experience:
- Difficulty breathing
- Pain in your chest
- Sudden onset of on-going dizziness
- Fever with rashes
- Severe vomiting
- Severe weakness
- Seizures
- Confusion
- Worsening of pre-existing health conditions
Additionally, people who experience severe flu infections or those who are at risk of flu complications are advised to visit their doctor if they believe they have flu. High-risk people include:
- People aged 65 or older
- Pregnant women
- Children under the age of 5
- People who have chronic conditions like asthma, heart diseases, or diabetes
Key takeaways
Trangkaso or flu results in several symptoms including fever, body aches, weakness, coughing, and loss of appetite. A healthy person normally does not need treatment other than adequate rest and plenty of fluids, as their immune system will be able to fight off the infection.
OTC medicines are also available if they want to improve their symptoms and lessen the discomfort they feel.
Learn more about Influenza here.