Symptoms of Influenza
‘Family Health’ (1997) published by Boots the Chemist, says that flu has the following symptoms:
The first symptoms, which usually start quite suddenly, are:
- Fever, chills
- Headache
- Weak or aching muscles
- Tiredness and loss of appetite
Your temperature should return to normal within two or three days, leaving the cough, sore throat and runny nose, which can last for another week. Other flu symptoms, such as weak and aching muscles may also continue. You may feel depressed and tired but this will usually pass as you regain your strength.
They make these suggestions to try and avoid catching it:
- Avoid crowded, poorly ventilated places.
- Keep away from people with flu.
- Keep yourself in good physical condition during the winter. Get plenty of sleep and avoid stress.
- Supplement your diet with vitamin C and other vitamin and mineral supplements.
- Eat a healthy diet to boost your immune system.
Should I Have the Flu Jab?
At that time in 1997, flu vaccine was only given to the elderly or immuno-compromised, so ‘Family Health’ said:
‘For normal healthy people an occasional bout of flu is thought to give them better protection than the vaccine.’ (p. 100).
