How to Manage Influenza Symptoms

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How to Manage Influenza Symptoms (PDF: 45KB/2 pages)

Updated 6/29/2009

On this page:
Dehydration
Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Sore throat
Body aches
Cyanosis
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Call care provider or 911

Influenza is caused by a virus and cannot be treated with antibiotics.  It takes time for a person to recover from influenza.  Help the ill person get enough to drink and feel as comfortable as possible. Call 911 or your health care provider if the symptoms get worse.

Dehydration
Prevent dehydration:

Adults need 2 - 3 quarts of fluids per day (1 quart per day for young children) to prevent dehydration.

• Give liquids such as broth, juice (half-strength for children), tea, sports drinks, or oral rehydration formula.
• Large amounts of caffeine can increase urine output and increase dehydration.
  • Limit caffeinated drinks to 1-3 cups per day.
• Give cool drinks - not hot - if the ill person has a fever.
• Food intake is not critical while the person is most ill, but fluid intake is.

Dehydration symptoms include:

• thirst (often an early sign of dehydration)
• flushed face
• dry mouth
• rapid and deep breathing
• fast and/or weak pulse
• sunken, tearless eyes
• little or no urine output
• dark colored urine
• dizziness made worse by standing
• weakness
• sleepiness or irritability
• headache
• in infants, sunken “soft spot” on head
• decreased alertness or change in consciousness (Call 911)
  

Fever

• One way the body fights infection
• High fever (above 101°F [oral]) can cause dehydration.
• Call healthcare provider if fever is above 104ºF and cannot be brought down.

Managing fever

• Give medicine for fever greater than 101°F (38.3°C).
• Acetaminophen* (Tylenol®): Do not give to anyone with liver disease unless their healthcare provider prescribes it.
• Ibuprofen* (Motrin®)
• Aspirin*: Do not give aspirin to anyone less than 18 years old.
• Ask your healthcare provider for products and dosage for children less than 2 years.
• If fever is higher than 104°F:
  • Help the ill person drink cool liquids – especially water.
  • Place a cool cloth on the forehead.

Cough

• Can help clear breathing passageways.
• Phlegm or mucous may make breathing harder.

Managing cough:

• Use over-the-counter cough medicine.* Follow package directions for dosage and intervals between doses.
• Use cough lozenges (adults only).

Shortness of breath

• Having a hard time getting a breath.
• Feeling of not getting enough air.

Managing shortness of breath:

• Help the person stay calm and take deep, slow breaths.

Chest pain

• If occurs only during coughing spell, treat with acetaminophen* (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen* (Motrin®).
• If not due to coughing or breathing, persists or gets worse, call 911.
• If associated with shortness of breath or other symptoms, call 911.

Sore throat 

• Scratchy or swollen throat makes swallowing hard.

Managing sore throat:

• Use throat lozenges* (adults only).
• Gargle with warm water.

Body aches

Managing body aches:

• Take a warm shower or bath (if able).
• Take acetaminophen* (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen* (Motrin®).
• People less than 18 years old should not take aspirin or aspirin-containing products.

Cyanosis

• Skin turns gray/blue because the person is not getting enough oxygen.

Managing cyanosis:

• Call "911" right away.

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

Can lead to dehydration (not enough fluids) - fever can also cause dehydration.

Managing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea:

• Give fluids
  • Broth, juice (half-strength for children), tea, sports drinks, or oral rehydration formula
  • 1 teaspoon every 5 minutes; if no vomiting after 30 minutes, double the amount every 30 minutes until they can drink on their own.

Call care provider or 911 if sick person:

• Has difficulty breathing or chest pain (See above).
• Has gray/blue lips or skin.
• Has fever above 104º F (above 101º F for a child) that cannot be reduced.
• Has severe or persistent coughing.
• Has a sign of dehydration (See “Preventing Dehydration” fact sheet).
• Has a seizure.
• Is unable to move an arm or leg.
• Is confused or not waking up.
• Improves and then symptoms return.

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