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Flu Symptoms To Watch Out For As Winter Illnesses Surge

As we slowly trudge through winter, respiratory illnesses like COVID-19 and the flu are surging across the country.

For the week ending January 4, 18.6 percent of influenza tests came back positive, with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) the most predominant variants during this period, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

"Nationally, emergency department visits are high for diagnosed influenza," the CDC said. "Five influenza-associated deaths occurring during the 2024-2025 season were reported this week for a total of 16 deaths this season."

A stock image shows a woman with the flu, along with viruses in the inset image. Flu symptoms can include fevers, coughs, headaches and body chills. A stock image shows a woman with the flu, along with viruses in the inset image. Flu symptoms can include fevers, coughs, headaches and body chills. ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS

The flu, or influenza, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses and primarily affects the nose, throat and lungs. It is spread via respiratory droplets, which are emitted when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.

What Are the Symptoms of Flu?

Symptoms usually come on suddenly, according to the CDC, and can include fevers above 100.4 degrees F, dry cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headaches, chills and occasionally nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

Symptoms may be more severe for people over 65 or younger than 5, pregnant women and those with certain chronic medical conditions, such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease.

"Some people will develop complications (such as pneumonia) as a result of flu, some of which can be life-threatening and result in death," the CDC said. "Other possible serious complications triggered by flu can include inflammation of the heart (myocarditis), brain (encephalitis) or muscle tissues (myositis, rhabdomyolysis), and multi-organ failure (for example, respiratory and kidney failure)."

COVID-19 symptoms and flu symptoms are very similar, insofar as they cannot be diagnosed by symptoms alone, with testing required to distinguish one from the other.

"Compared with flu, COVID-19 can cause more severe illness in some people. Compared to people infected with influenza virus, people infected with SARS-CoV-2 may take longer to show symptoms and may be contagious for longer periods of time," the CDC said.

Can You Have the Flu Without a Fever?

While fever is a common symptom of the flu, not everyone with the virus will develop one. If the infection is mild, the body might not generate a fever, but people with weakened immune systems or older people may not experience fever because of their lessened immune response.

How Long Does It Take to Recover From the Flu?

Recovery from the flu typically takes one to two weeks, but the timeline can vary depending on factors like age, overall health and the severity of the infection. Children and older adults may take longer to recover, and conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart disease can prolong recovery.

What Is the Difference Between Flu A and B?

Influenza A and B are two types of influenza viruses that cause seasonal flu outbreaks. Flu A is found in humans, birds, pigs and other animals, and its subtypes are based on its surface proteins: hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N) (for example, H1N1, H3N2).

Flu B, on the other hand, is found only in humans (and occasionally in seals). Flu A is more widespread and often the dominant strain during flu season. Flu B generally causes milder illness compared with flu A, but severe cases can still occur.

"Of the 1,783 viruses reported by public health laboratories, 1,743 were influenza A and 40 were influenza B," the CDC said.

Is It Too Late to Get a Flu Shot?

The flu season runs between October and May in most regions, peaking between December and February. While getting vaccinated earlier is ideal for maximum protection, getting the vaccine later can still be beneficial, especially if flu activity is ongoing in your area.

The vaccine takes approximately two weeks to reach full immunity, so getting it now can still protect you during the active part of the flu season. Even if you're exposed to the flu virus before full immunity develops, the vaccine can reduce the severity of illness and lower the risk of complications like pneumonia or hospitalization.

"CDC recommends that everyone ages 6 months and older get an annual influenza (flu) vaccine," the CDC said.

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6 Signs And Symptoms Of Gallstones

Gallstones are hardened build-ups of calcium and cholesterol that form in your gallbladder. They range in size from grains of sand to golf balls. Gallstone attack symptoms include sudden pain after eating, nausea, and vomiting if a deposit blocks bile flow to your small intestine.

Problems with the gallbladder are common and affect about 10-15% of people in the United States. Gallstones are most common in adults older than 40 years old, those who are overweight, and women.

Biliary colic, or gallstone pain, is one of the main gallstone symptoms. Gallstones cause your gallbladder to spasm if they get stuck traveling to your duodenum (the upper small intestine). You may feel a sharp pain in the upper right side of your abdomen. Gallstone pain may last 30 minutes or longer and not respond to over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers.   Your gallbladder activates when you eat fatty foods. Gallbladder attacks often occur after eating, typically in the evening or at night. You may have symptomatic gallstones if you consistently get pain after eating. Intense nausea, which may lead to vomiting, is another common gallstone symptom. Nausea often arises after eating and can last for several hours before resolving. It may also be a sign of more severe complications, such as appendicitis and infection. A low-grade fever may accompany a gallstone attack, which can signal an infection or inflammation of your gallbladder. You may also have chills or sweats. A fever can also indicate severe issues and conditions, especially if you have other symptoms. Jaundice happens when spikes in bilirubin cause the eyes and skin to turn yellow. Bilirubin is a yellowish substance in bile that's made when your body breaks down old red blood cells. Bile build-up in your gallbladder and liver raises bilirubin levels in your blood if gallstones get stuck. Jaundice may also be a sign of liver problems, such as cirrhosis and hepatitis. Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver, and hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. Gallstones do not cause sudden weight loss directly but may accompany it. Obesity raises the risk of gallstone formation, and rapid weight loss can further increase this risk. Your liver produces bile with a high cholesterol content if you do not eat for a long time or rapidly lose a lot of weight. Sudden weight loss may spur gallstone development. People who recently had weight loss surgery procedures also have a higher risk of gallstones. Consult a healthcare provider about how to lose weight and prevent gallstones. Research has found that more than 80% of people with gallstones do not have symptoms. Some people only learn they have gallstones once they see a healthcare provider. Tests that help diagnose gallstone include: Blood tests Cholescintigraphy, an imaging approach that involves injecting small amounts of radioactive material into the blood Computed tomography (CT) scan Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), a type of imaging that helps locate where gallstones are blocking bile ducts Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Ultrasounds X-rays Only about 2% of people with gallstones who have symptoms develop complications. Silent gallstones can later become symptomatic. Consult a healthcare provider about treatment options if you have gallstones to prevent an attack. Seek immediate medical attention if you have: Fever or chills Gallbladder pain that does not respond to OTC pain relievers and lasts several hours Jaundice Light-colored stools Nausea and vomiting Very dark, brown-colored urine Gallstones rarely become a severe health concern but may cause bouts of abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Gallstone attack symptoms can cause fever and jaundice and require immediate medical attention. Consult a healthcare provider if you have gallstone symptoms. They can help you develop a treatment plan to avoid an attack and complications like infections and inflammation.

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Sneezing Is Not A Common Coronavirus Symptom — Here's How To Differentiate The Virus From Allergies

If you see someone sneezing on the street and are scared they might have the coronavirus, remember: Sneezing is not a common symptom of COVID-19. 

Instead, the primary signs of COVID-19 are fever and a dry cough. Other symptoms include fatigue, nausea, body aches, coughing, shortness of breath, and gastrointestinal issues.

Here are the symptoms associated with COVID-19 and how they compare with symptoms of the common cold, the flu, and allergies:

Shayanne Gal/Business Insider

For many people, the arrival of spring brings allergies. Seasonal allergy symptoms frequently include sneezing and congestion, as well as itchy eyes. 

But for COVID-19 patients, congestion only occurs in 4.8% of cases, according to a World Health Organization report that looked at about 56,000 Chinese COVID-19 patients. Much more common symptoms of the coronavirus include fever (in 87.9% of the cases studied), dry cough (67.7% of cases), and fatigue (38.1%).

Still, the overlap between symptoms of COVID-19 and symptoms of other common conditions is in part why widespread testing is necessary. Plus, someone could have both coronavirus and allergies simultaneously.

After delays in producing and distributing tests, the US has ramped up its testing: More than 2.8 million Americans have been tested for the coronavirus, according to the COVID Tracking Project, a resource from journalists at The Atlantic and the founder of a medical-data startup. That's up from just 10,000 a month ago, on March 12.

If you suspect you have the coronavirus, the CDC recommends that you contact your healthcare provider to arrange a test.

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