For most, seasonal flu is a mild illness you can take care of by getting plenty of rest, treating symptoms and isolating so as not to spread the virus. If you are at risk of severe complications from influenza or COVID-19 because of your age, a weakened immune system, chronic medical condition or other reason, you should get tested as soon as you notice symptoms to receive the proper medical care.

Treatment for cold and flu is available through Norton Now at Norton Prompt Care clinics, Norton Immediate Care Centers and Norton Community Medical Associates primary care locations. Virtual care is offered via Norton eCare.

For many, the flu tends to come on suddenly. You’ll go from feeling fine to being miserable quickly. Common cold and COVID-19 symptoms tend to have a more gradual onset. With a cold, fevers, chills and headaches are less common.

Common flu symptoms include:

• Chills or fever — though not everyone with flu will have a fever
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• Fatigue (feeling tired)
• Vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children than adults)

Seasonal influenza complications can come with concerning or severe symptoms that require medical care right away. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these include:

Emergency Signs of Flu Complications in Adults

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Persistent dizziness, confusion, inability to rouse
• Seizures
• Not urinating
• Severe muscle pain
• Severe weakness or unsteadiness
• Fever or cough that improves but then returns or worsens
• Worsening of chronic medical conditions

Emergency Signs of Flu Complications in Children

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish lips or face
• Ribs pulling in with each breath
• Chest pain
• Severe muscle pain (child refuses to walk)
• Dehydration (no urine for eight hours, dry mouth, no tears when crying)
• Not alert or interacting when awake
• Seizures
• Fever above 104 degrees Fahrenheit that is not controlled by fever-reducing medicine
• In children younger than 12 weeks, any fever
• Fever or cough that improve but then return or worsen
• Worsening of chronic medical conditions

Flu and COVID-19 Testing and Treatment

If your flu symptoms concern you or you want to be tested to know whether you have a cold, the flu or COVID-19, Norton Healthcare offers urgent care at Norton Prompt Care clinics, Norton Immediate Care Centers and virtually through Norton eCare (you may see a provider online and be sent to the drive-thru at Norton Healthcare Express Services for testing). You also may choose to visit with your primary care provider at a Norton Community Medical Associates location.

You’ll be most contagious in the first three days of being sick. Whether you have a fever or not, plan on avoiding others for the first five days of being sick. Once you’ve had 24 hours of improving symptoms or any fever has broken without the help of medication, you can resume normal activities.

Consult with a medical professional if you or someone you’re caring for is at high risk of complications from flu. This includes:

• Children under 5 and especially those under age 2
• Adults 65 or older
• People of any age with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease
• Pregnant people

While antibiotics aren’t appropriate for treating the flu as they are meant to fight bacteria and not viruses, antiviral medications can be prescribed to help shorten the length of your illness and reduce the severity. They have their biggest effect when taken within 48 hours of symptoms first appearing, making rapid diagnosis important.

Antiviral drugs are available only with a prescription and are tailored to the type of virus. There are many kinds of antiviral drugs, and those designed for COVID-19 won’t help with flu.

Influenza viruses circulate year-round, but typically start making people sick in the United States in October, peaking from December to February. Fever, a common symptom of the flu, is a good measure of how long you are contagious. About 24 hours after your fever breaks without taking fever-reducing medication, you aren’t at risk of spreading the flu virus. Another indication is that your symptoms are clearly improving.

Prevent Flu by Getting Each Year’s Flu Vaccine

Each year, new flu shots are developed because the viruses that cause the flu are constantly changing. This is why it’s important to get a new flu shot each year. Flu shots are covered by most insurance plans, and you likely won’t have any out-of-pocket cost to protect yourself and those around you.

In addition to getting your flu shot, flu prevention includes thorough and frequent hand-washing.

Flu vaccines are available by appointment at:

• Norton Community Medical Associates primary care offices
• Norton Immediate Care Centers
• Norton Prompt Care clinics
• Norton Healthcare Express Services