How Long Does Fever Last with Flu?

Written By: William

Published Date: March 5, 2019 Last Edited: March 6, 2019

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Having the flu is a condition that causes a variety of unpleasant symptoms and affects millions of people each year. One study reports that up to five million people in European countries are affected by severe flu on an annual basis. Additionally, up to 500,000 people die each year in these countries due to the flu. Furthermore, up to 30% of children and up to 10% of adults will be affected by flu every single year.

Flu is a term that is used to refer to infection by a variation of the influenza virus. This type of viral infection affects the patient’s upper airway. Many symptoms can develop and, while the condition can often resolve within just a couple of days, complications can develop that can cause potentially life-threatening events to occur.

Fever is one of the most common symptoms caused by the influenza virus and this can be quite unpleasant. In this post, we’ll take a look at how long fever tends to last when a person is infected with the influenza virus. We will also take a look at what causes the influenza virus. We’ll review the most common symptoms and consider the most effective ways to treat the condition quickly and easily.

Causes And Risks Of Influenza

The flu is caused by the infiltration of viruses in the human body. In reaction to the infection by these viruses, the immune system starts to produce cells that are known as antibodies, which are sent toward the location where the infection is taking place. Over a hundred different viruses can cause the flu.

Understanding the risk factors for flu can help you determine whether you need to be extra careful due to high risk factors. If you live in an area where the virus is especially common or you are already sick or elderly or a young child, you are considered a high risk, not just because you could catch the flu more often than anyone else, but because an infection could do you more harm than healthier people.

Among the common risk factors:

Children are more likely to suffer from flu than adults. The elderly are also at a higher risk.
Certain chronic diseases and medical conditions are known to cause an increased risk of influenza virus infections. Examples include cancer and diabetes.
A weak immune system, such as in people with HIV/AIDS, also causes an increased risk of being infected with the virus.
Pregnant women are at higher risk.
Obesity is another risk factor that plays a part in the risk of becoming infected with the influenza virus and developing the flu.

Symptoms Of Influenza

Flu usually results in symptoms that are more severe than what is called “the common cold.” Most people who contract the influenza virus also find that their symptoms develop rapidly after being exposed to the virus. That said, the primary symptoms that signal an infection of the influenza virus are often very similar to the symptoms that a person experiences when they contract a cold.

Some of the specific symptoms that the influenza virus tends to cause include:

Fever is very common in patients with flu.
Joint pain is also very common and can be accompanied by muscle aches.
A dry cough, along with a runny or a stuffy nose.
Extreme levels of fatigue are common.
A significant reduction in appetite.
Headaches are also very common in patients who develop influenza.

When the influenza virus affects a child or an infant additional symptoms may also develop, including gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting.

How Long Fever Tend To Last With The Influenza Virus

A flu condition generally takes longer to improve as compared to having a cold. The symptoms associated with the flu can start within the first day following exposure to the influenza virus, but it may take up to four days. Once the symptoms have presented themselves, it can take up to two weeks, and in some cases even longer, for all the symptoms to clear up and for the influenza virus to be successfully defeated by your immune system.

Fever is a very common symptom experienced by a patient infected with the influenza virus. This is also one of the very first symptoms associated with the condition. In most cases, however, fever as a symptom of flu will only last for the first three to four days after symptoms start to develop. In some cases fever may last for up to ten days, however.

How Long Is The Influenza Virus Contagious?

Unfortunately, the flu is contagious before and after symptoms are present. A person infected with the virus can spread it to another person through sneezing and coughing, touching or kissing. The contagious period of flu starts approximately one day prior to the development of the first symptoms. The virus will continue to be contagious for approximately five days after that. In younger children, however, the virus may continue to be contagious for longer.

The Best Treatment Methods For Flu

Most treatment plans for flu patients target the unpleasant symptoms they are experiencing. In addition to treating the symptoms, however, antiviral drugs designed especially for the purpose of fighting the influenza virus could also be used to help the body in fighting the infection.

Current antiviral drugs for influenza that has been approved by the FDA include oseltamivir, peramivir, and zanamivir, which are sold under the trade names of Tamiflu, Rapivab and Relenza, respectively. These medications, save one, are provided to the patient for around five days. The exception is Peramivir, which is a once-off drug that is administered to the patient intravenously.

Baloxavir marboxil, trade name Xofluza, is also approved, but only for patients older than 12 who have been symptomatic for 48 hours or less.

Several home remedies can also be used to provide relief to flu patients. Rest and maintaining hydration should be at the top of the list of these homeopathic options. In addition, it is very wise for tobacco users to consider giving up smoking – at least until the symptoms have cleared up.

Effective Preventative Methods For Flu

Influenza can spread from an infected person to another person relatively easily. For this reason, it is important to take preventative measures to reduce your risk of being infected with the virus and, in turn, developing flu.

Even when a person is not in the same environment as contagious carriers, it is still wise to implement specific preventative methods to help reduce the risk of being infected.

Steps to take:

Wash your hands frequently, especially before eating or touching your mouth.
Anyone contagious should dispose of used tissues immediately.
If you are sick, stay in bed or at home to reduce the risk of infecting other people.
Get vaccinated for the influenza virus.

Conclusion

Flu is a common condition that affects a significant percentage of the population each year. The condition can be treated relatively easily, but the symptoms caused by the virus can be very unpleasant and be disruptive to a patient’s daily life. In some cases, more serious complications may also develop, which may become life-threatening when not attended to promptly.