With the onset of respiratory infection season, many patients are wondering how to distinguish the flu from a common cold.
According to an infectious disease expert, there is one characteristic sign that in the first days of illness is highly likely to indicate influenza.
Irina Babachenko, professor of the Department of Infectious Diseases in Children of the St. Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University of the Ministry of Health of Russia, explained on the pages of Belnovosti (18+) that the absence of a runny nose in the first 48 hours against the background of a high temperature is an important differential symptom of influenza.
Clinical picture of influenza
- The flu does not begin with a sore throat or runny nose, but with a sharp and pronounced deterioration in general condition.
- Body temperature rises to 39–40°C within a few hours, often accompanied by severe chills.
- Characterized by severe weakness, body aches, headache, drowsiness, loss of appetite. Children may experience nausea and vomiting.
- A runny nose is usually absent. Instead, dryness and sore throat immediately appear, which then develop into a dry cough. A runny nose may appear only on the 2nd–3rd day of illness.
- The cough is often dry, hacking, painful, without sputum production at the beginning.
How is influenza different from other acute respiratory viral infections?
An acute respiratory viral infection (cold) often begins gradually with a runny nose, sneezing, and a slight sore throat. The temperature may be normal or low-grade (37–38°C). Intoxication is mild.
The flu begins suddenly with high fever and severe intoxication in the absence of a runny nose.
Professor Babachenko emphasizes that in children, influenza is often more severe due to the immaturity of the immune system and stronger intoxication.
What to do if you suspect the flu?
- Call a doctor. Do not self-medicate. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis and prescribe the correct therapy, including antiviral drugs that are effective in the first 48 hours of illness.
- Follow the regime. Provide rest and plenty of warm drinks (water, unsweetened compote, fruit juice) to relieve intoxication.
- Don't wrap it up. Excessive wrapping of a sick person, especially a child, prevents heat transfer and contributes to an additional increase in temperature.
- Monitor the condition. In an uncomplicated course, the acute phase lasts 4–5 days, then improvement occurs.
- Alarming symptoms requiring urgent medical attention
Seek help immediately if, due to illness:
- Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath.
- There was confusion and excessive lethargy.
- Antipyretics do not work or have a short-term effect.
- The child refuses to drink and shows signs of dehydration (dry mucous membranes, lack of tears, rare urination).
A sharp rise in temperature to high values, severe weakness and body aches in the absence of a runny nose in the first two days is an alarming signal, most likely indicating the flu.
This is not a reason for self-medication, but for a mandatory call to a doctor, since the flu is dangerous with serious complications (pneumonia, otitis media, myocarditis). Timely diagnosis and correct treatment tactics are the key to a faster and safer recovery.
Important: This information is not a substitute for consulting a doctor. The body's response to changes in diet/training may depend on individual physiology, genetic predisposition and health status. It is recommended to consult a specialist.
