La gripe, conocida médicamente como influenza, es una infección viral altamente contagiosa. A lo largo de la vida, es común que las personas experimenten la gripe varias veces. Aunque la mayoría de los casos de influenza duran entre 2 y 3 semanas, si los síntomas persisten por más tiempo, aumenta el riesgo de complicaciones como la neumonía viral y la sinusitis (infecciones sinusales). Por lo tanto, es importante tomar medidas adecuadas de inmediato cuando se presenta la gripe. A continuación, se enumeran los síntomas que deben tenerse en cuenta para reconocer el inicio de un ataque de gripe.
Fever
Most cases of the flu start with a fever that can last for 4 to 5 days before worsening. Since the common flu virus cannot reproduce at high temperatures, the body raises its temperature as a defense mechanism, resulting in a fever. While a mild fever can occur with a cold, high temperatures are characteristic of the flu, ranging from 102-106 degrees Fahrenheit (38-39 degrees Celsius). However, it could be challenging to differentiate between a common cold and the flu in children because their body temperatures are on average higher than adults, whether it is the flu or a cold.
Muscle Pain
One of the reasons you feel bad when you have the flu is muscle pain. Even the slightest movement can cause pain throughout your body. Pay attention to red and swollen joints if they appear, as you should immediately see a doctor. Most notably, muscle tenderness will be felt in the chest, back, and legs (especially if the cough is chronic). The reason for muscle pain is that white blood cells are busy fighting the flu, leaving your muscles and joints sore and inflamed. The good news is that all of this is temporary; once the flu disappears, white blood cells will resume their usual functions.