Flu-like symptoms
Flu-like symptoms: Introduction
Flu-like symptoms appear like the flu (see symptoms of flu),
which tends to be more severe than the similar
cold-like symptoms.
Flu-like symptoms may include fever, shivering,
chills, malaise, dry cough, loss of appetite, and body aches.
A runny nose or stuffy nose does not always occur with flu
whereas it usually does for a common cold.
This section lists conditions explicitly mentioned as having "flu-like symptoms"
or similar phrasing;
for specific information on individual symptoms see the information links for related symptoms.
The flu is not the only condition starting with flu-like symptoms.
These symptoms are similar to the body's general method of reacting
to a serious infection
and are called "flu-like" simply because the flu is the most common
of such infections.
Numerous other conditions include
other infectious viral conditions,
initial phase HIV infection,
viral hepatitis,
food poisoning,
lymphoma,
leukemia,
Lyme disease,
and many others.
The list of conditions with fever is much longer
than those with the full list of flu-like symptoms.
» Review Causes of Flu-like symptoms:
full list
Causes of Flu-like symptoms
See all 146
causes of Flu-like symptoms
Causes of Types of Flu-like symptoms:
Review the causes of these more specific types of Flu-like symptoms:
See full list of 2
types for Flu-like symptoms
Flu-like symptoms: Symptom Checker
Listed below are some combinations of symptoms associated with Flu-like symptoms, as listed in our database.
Visit the Symptom Checker,
to add and remove symptoms and research your condition.
Symptom Checker
Symptom Checker
See full list of 1907
Symptom Checker combinations related to Flu-like symptoms
Flu-like symptoms Treatments
Review information on Flu-like symptoms Treatments.
Flu-like symptoms: Marketplace Products, Discounts & Offers
Products, offers and promotion categories available related to Flu-like symptoms:
Causes of General Symptom Types
Research the causes of these more general types of symptom:
Research the causes of related medical symptoms such as:
Causes of Similar Symptoms to Flu-like symptoms
Research the causes of these symptoms that are similar to, or related to, the symptom Flu-like symptoms:
Diagnostic Guides for Flu-like symptoms
Medical Books Excerpts
Read excertps from published book sections related to Flu-like symptoms
from the following published medical books
for more detailed information about Flu-like symptoms.
Free access (no registration): read all online diagnostic book sections about Flu-like symptoms
Medical Books Excerpts
- COUGH
- "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
- [ read ]
- Fever
- "In a Page: Signs and Symptoms" (2004)
- [ read ]
- COUGH
- "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
- [ read ]
- FEVER
- "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
- [ read ]
- Fever
- "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
- [ read ]
- Cough
- "A Pocket Manual of Differential Diagnosis" (1999)
- [ read ]
- Influenza
- "Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition)" (2005)
- [ read ]
- Lassa fever
- "Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition)" (2005)
- [ read ]
- Cough
- "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
- [ read ]
- Fever
- "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
- [ read ]
- Cough, barking
- "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
- [ read ]
- Cough, productive
- "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
- [ read ]
- Fever
- "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
- [ read ]
- Fever
- "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
- [ read ]
- Cough
- "The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics" (2006)
- [ read ]
- Fever
- "The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics" (2006)
- [ read ]
- Sore Throat
- "The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics" (2006)
- [ read ]
- COUGH
- "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
- [ read ]
- FEVER
- "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
- [ read ]
Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.
Flu-like symptoms: Self Assessment Tools
Flu-like symptoms: Medical Mistakes
Flu-like symptoms: Undiagnosed Conditions
Conditions that are commonly undiagnosed in related areas may include:
Hospitals & Clinics: Flu-like symptoms
Research extensive quality ratings and patient safety measures
for hospitals, clinics and medical facilities in health specialties related to Flu-like symptoms:
Research Hospital & Clinic Quality Ratings » »
Flu-like symptoms: Research Related Doctors & Specialists
Other ways to find a doctor, or use doctor, physician and specialist online research services:
Misdiagnosis and Flu-like symptoms
Sinusitis is overdiagnosed: There is a tendency to give a diagnosis of sinusitis,
when the condition is really a harmless complication of another infection,
such as a common cold....read more »
Whooping cough often undiagnosed: Although most children in the Western world have been
immunized against whooping cough (also called "pertussis"), this...read more »
Chronic lung diseases hard to diagnose: Some of the chronic lung diseases
are difficult to diagnose.
Even the well-knowns conditions such as asthma or lung cancer...read more »
Read more about Misdiagnosis and Flu-like symptoms
Flu-like symptoms: Related Rare Diseases
Rare types of medical conditions and diseases in related medical categories:
Diagnostic tests for Flu-like symptoms:
Various tests are used in the diagnosis of Flu-like symptoms. Some of these are listed below :
- Physical examination
- General appearance e.g. jaundice may suggest hepatitis, ascending cholangitis or cholecystitis
- Temperature - Fevers can be due to infection; malignant disease; metabolic disorders (e.g. gout); blood disorders (e.g. hemolytic anemia); vascular disorders (e.g. stroke, brain hemorrhage); immunological disorders (e.g. lupus).
- Examine the heart for a heart murmur which would suggest bacterial endocarditis
- Examine the lungs for noises that suggest pneumonia or bronchiectasis
- more tests...»
See full list of 40
diagnostic tests for Flu-like symptoms
Diagnosis Checklist: Questions your doctor may ask (and why!)
During a consultation, your doctor will use various techniques in their assessment of Flu-like symptoms.
Your doctor may ask several questions when assessing
your condition. It is important to remember that your consultation is a two-way process and any extra information
you can share with your doctor about your symptoms may help them with their diagnosis.
Some of the questions your doctor may ask are listed below:
- How long have you had the flu-like symptoms? - to determine if acute or chronic.
- What do you exactly mean by flu-like symptoms? -"flu" usually refers to influenza virus infection which causes a relatively debilitating illness and should not be confused with the common cold. The illness commences abruptly with a fever, headache, shivering and generalized muscle aching, especially aching of the limbs. These symptoms are often followed by sore throat, dry cough and runny nose. "Flu-like symptoms" are any of the above symptoms which may occur in a wide range of febrile illnesses
- What is the pattern of the fever? - e.g. intermittent fever of malaria, Epstein-Barr virus and ascending cholangitis; continuous fever is common with viral infections such as influenza; remittent fever where temperature returns towards normal for a variable period but is always elevated may occur with pelvic abscess, wound infection and cancer; undulant fever where bouts of fever for several days are followed by several days of normal temperature occur with brucellosis infection and lymphomas.
- Are you breast feeding? - acute mastitis often features fevers, tiredness, muscle aches and pains along with a sore red lump in the breast.
- Travel history? - overseas travelers or visitors may have special or even exotic infections.
- more questions...»
See Diagnosis Checklist for Flu-like symptoms (16
listings)
Diagnosis Checklist: Associated symptoms your doctor may ask about (and why!)
Sometimes, other symptoms may be present and may help your doctor analyse
your condition.
The symptoms your doctor may ask about (in association with Flu-like symptoms) may include:
- Pain and location of the pain? - can help determine focus of infection e.g. sore throat may indicate streptococcal pharyngitis, viral upper respiratory infection, infectious mononucleosis, leukemia and subacute thyroiditis; headache may indicate meningitis or encephalitis; chest pain may suggest pulmonary infarction, heart attack, Bornholm disease, tuberculosis, pleurisy or empyema; abdominal pain may suggest pyelonephritis, cholecystitis, appendicitis, liver abscess or diverticulitis; joint pain may suggest rheumatic fever, rheumatoid arthritis or septic arthritis; ear ache may suggest middle ear infection or mastoiditis.
- Frequency and burning of urine? - would suggest pyelonephritis, abscess around the kidney or abscess in the prostate.
- Cough? - may suggest pneumonia, lung abscess, bronchiectasis, tuberculosis or chronic fungal disease in the lung.
- Bone pain or bone swelling? - may suggest osteomyelitis.
- Body discharge? - e.g. vaginal, penile, anal, tooth, ear, nasal.
- more symptoms...»
See Diagnosis Checklist for Flu-like symptoms (16
listings)
Home Diagnostic Testing and Flu-like symptoms
Home medical tests possibly related to Flu-like symptoms:
- Lung & Respiratory Health Tests:
- Cold & Flu: Home Testing:
- more tests...»
Stories from Users for Flu-like symptoms
Real-life user stories relating to Flu-like symptoms:
Symptom specific forums:
The following patient stories in our interactive forums and message boards
relate to Flu-like symptoms or relevant symptoms:
Videos for Flu-like symptoms
Adults may already know the new ways to avoid catching and spreading the flu. But you may need to teach these behaviors to kids. Listen to an...
When you have watery eyes, a runny nose, congestion and sneezing, how can you tell if it's a cold or an allergy? Find out the difference and the...
For patients with chronic myeloid leukemia, establishing a close relationship with their doctor is very important. With new treatment options...
In treating Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML), doctors admit: they don't have all the answers. So patients must learn enough about CML to help make...
See full list of 8 related videos
Patient Surveys for Flu-like symptoms
Medications or substances causing Flu-like symptoms:
The following drugs, medications, substances or toxins are some of the possible
causes of Flu-like symptoms as a symptom.
Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using,
including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.
See full list of 129
medications causing Flu-like symptoms
Article Excerpts about Flu-like symptoms
Influenza, or the flu, is a respiratory infection
caused by a variety of flu viruses. The most familiar aspect of the
flu is the way it can "knock you off your feet" as it sweeps through
entire communities. (Source: excerpt from The Flu, NIAID Fact Sheet: NIAID)
Influenza, also called "the flu", is caused by viruses that infect
the respiratory tract. Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat,
runny or stuffy nose, headache, muscle aches, and extreme fatigue.
Although nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea sometimes occur during a flu
infection, such symptoms are rarely prominent. "Stomach flu" is a
misnomer sometimes used to describe gastrointestinal illnesses that are
actually caused by other microorganisms.
(Source: excerpt from Facts About Flu (Influenza): CDC-OC)
Flu - the short name for influenza - is a highly contagious
infection that causes fever, chills, dry cough, sore throat, runny
or stuffy nose, as well as headache, muscle aches, and often extreme
fatigue. Flu usually is a mild disease in healthy children, young
adults, and middle-aged people. However, it can be life threatening
in older adults. (Source: excerpt from Shots for Safety - Age Page - Health Information: NIA)
Each winter, millions of people suffer from the flu, a highly
contagious infection. It spreads easily from person to person mainly
when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Flu - the short name for
influenza - is caused by viruses that infect the nose, throat, and
lungs. It usually is a mild disease in healthy children, young
adults, and middle-aged people. However, flu can be life threatening
in older adults and in people of any age who have chronic illnesses
such as diabetes or heart, lung, or kidney diseases (Source: excerpt from What to Do About the Flu - Age Page - Health Information: NIA)
Definitions of Flu-like symptoms:
Acute viral infection involving the respiratory tract; marked by inflammation of the nasal mucosa, the pharynx, and conjunctiva, and by headache and severe, often generalized, myalgia.
- (Source - Diseases Database)
Organs affected by Flu-like symptoms:
The list of organs typically affected by Flu-like symptoms may include, but is not limited to:
Detailed list of causes of Flu-like symptoms
The list below shows some of the causes of Flu-like symptoms mentioned in various sources:
See full list of 146
causes of Flu-like symptoms
How Common are these Causes of Flu-like symptoms?
This information refers to the general prevalence and incidence of these diseases,
not to how likely they are to be the actual cause of Flu-like symptoms.
Of the 146
causes of Flu-like symptoms that
we have listed, we have the following prevalence/incidence information:
- 3
causes are "very common" diseases
- 4
causes are "common" diseases
- 2
causes are "uncommon" diseases
- 0
causes are "rare" diseases
- 25
causes are "very rare" diseases
- 118
causes have no prevalence information.
See the analysis of the prevalence of 146
causes of Flu-like symptoms
Conditions listing symptoms: Flu-like symptoms:
The following list of conditions
have 'Flu-like symptoms' or similar
listed as a symptom in our database.
This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete.
Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause
of any symptom.
A
Anthrax
... flu-like symptomsB
Blastomycosis
... flu-like symptomsBornholm disease
... flu-like symptomsBowel bypass syndrome
... flu-like illnessBowel-associated dermatosis-arthritis syndrome
... flu-like illnessBronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia
... flu-like symptomsBrucellosis
... flu-like symptomsC
Cat scratch disease
... flu-like symptomsChickenpox
... flu-like symptomsCoccidioidomycosis
... flu-like symptoms, influenza-like symptomsCytomegalovirus
... flu-like symptomsE
Eastern equine encephalitis
... Flu like symptomsEncephalitis, California serogroup viral
... Flu like symptomsEnteroviruses
... flu-like illnessF
Fire Ant bite
... flu-like symptomsFood poisoning
... flu-like symptomsH
Hendra Virus
... Flu-like illnessHepadnaviral infection
... flu-like symptomsHepadnaviruses
... flu-like symptomsHepadnoavirus infection
... flu-like symptomsHepatitis
... mild flu-like symptomsHepatitis A
... flu-like symptomsHepatitis B
... flu-like symptomsHepatitis C
... flu-like symptomsHepatitis D
... flu-like symptomsHepatitis E
... flu-like symptomsHepatitis X
... flu-like symptomsHistoplasmosis
... flu-like illnessHIV-1, CRF01_AE
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1, CRF02_AG
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1, CRF04_ cpx
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1, CRF05_ D/F
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1, CRF06_cpx
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1, CRF07_BC
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1, CRF08_BC
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1, CRF11_cpx
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1, CRF12_BF
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1, CRF13_cpx
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1, CRF14_BG
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1, CRF15_01B
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1, CRF16_ A2D
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1, CRF17_BF
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1, CRF18_cpx
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1, CRF19_cpx
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1, CRF20_BG
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1, CRF21_A2D
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1, CRF22_01A1
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1, CRF23_BG
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1, CRF24_BG
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1, CRF25_cpx
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1, CRF26_AU
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1, CRF27_cpx
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1, CRF28_BF
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1, CRF29_BF
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1, CRF30_0206
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1, CRF31_BC
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1, CRF32_06A1
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1, CRF33_01B
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1, CRF34_01B
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1, CRF35_AD
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1, CRF36_cpx
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1, CRF37_cpx
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1, CRF38_BF
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1, CRF39_BF
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1, CRF40_BF
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1, CRF41_CD
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1, CRF42_BF
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1, CRF43_02G
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1A
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1A1
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1A2
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1A3
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1B
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1C
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1D
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1E
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1F
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1F1
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1F2
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1G
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1H
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1J
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1K
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1M
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1N
... flu-like symptomsHIV-1O
... flu-like symptomsHIV-2
... flu-like symptomsHIV-2A
... flu-like symptomsHIV-2B
... flu-like symptomsHIV/AIDS
... flu-like symptomsHodgkin's Disease
... Flu-like symptomsHodgkin's disease, adult
... Flu-like symptomsHodgkin's disease, childhood
... Flu-like symptomsI
IgA nephropathy
... Flu like symptomsL
Legionnaires' disease
... flu-like symptomsLeptospirosis
... flu-like symptomsLeukemia
... flu-like symptomsListeriosis
... flu-like illnessLyme disease
... flu-like symptomsLymphogranuloma venereum
... flu-like symptomsLymphoma
... flu-like symptomsM
Manganese poisoning
... flu-like symptomsMastitis
... flu-like symptomsMetal fume fever
... flu-like symptoms, flu-like illnessMetal Fume Fever - Aluminium
... flu-like illnessMetal Fume Fever - Antimony
... flu-like illnessMetal Fume Fever - Cadmium
... flu-like illnessMetal Fume Fever - Chromium
... flu-like illnessMetal Fume Fever - Copper
... flu-like illnessMetal Fume Fever - Iron
... flu-like illnessMetal Fume Fever - Magnesium
... flu-like illnessMetal Fume Fever - Manganese
... flu-like illnessMetal Fume Fever - Nickel
... flu-like illnessMetal Fume Fever - Selenium
... flu-like illnessMetal Fume Fever - Silver
... flu-like illnessMetal Fume Fever - Tin
... flu-like illnessMetal Fume Fever - Zinc
... flu-like illnessN
Newcastle Disease
... flu-like symptomsNon-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
... Flu-like symptomsP
Parainfluenza
... mild flu-like symptomsParainfluenza virus type 1
... mild flu-like symptomsParainfluenza virus type 2
... mild flu-like symptomsParainfluenza virus type 3
... mild flu-like symptomsParainfluenza virus type 4
... mild flu-like symptomsPediatric AIDS
... flu-like symptomsPercocet withdrawal
... flu-like symptomsPolymer Fume Fever
... flu-like illnessPolymyalgia rheumatica
... flu-like symptomsPuerperal fever
... flu-like symptomsR
Reiter’s syndrome
... flu-like symptomsS
Salmonella food poisoning
... flu-like symptomsSandfly fever
... flu-like symptomsSARS
... flu-like symptomsSlap-cheek syndrome
... flu-like symptomsSmallpox
... flu-like symptomsStachybotrys chartarum
... flu-like symptomsStreptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome
... flu-like symptomsSubstance Withdrawal Syndrome
... flu-like symptomsSyphilis
... flu-like symptomsSystemic Capillary Leak Syndrome
... flu-like symptomsT
Temporal arteritis
... flu-like symptomsTogaviridae disease
... flu-like symptomsToxic Shock Syndrome
... Flu-like symptomsTuberculosis
... flu-like symptomsV
Venezuelan equine encephalitis
... flu-like symptomsW
Weil's syndrome
... flu-like symptoms
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Causes of Flu-like symptoms Based on Risk Factors
This information shows analysis of the list of causes of Flu-like symptoms based
on whether certain risk factors apply to the patient:
Travel - has the patient travelled recently?
Diabetes - history of diabetes or family history of diabetes?
Doctors and specialists: Who should I consult about Flu-like symptoms?
Depending on the seriousness of the onset of Flu-like symptoms, you may want to consult one of the following medical professionals.
Important:In extreme cases, always seek advice from emergency services :
What are the alternative names for Flu-like symptoms:
Influenza
- (Source - Diseases Database)
Classifications of Flu-like symptoms:
Subtypes of Flu-like symptoms:
Acute cough
Medical Conditions associated with Flu-like symptoms:
Respiratory symptoms (3282 causes)
Symptoms related to Flu-like symptoms:
Respiratory symptoms (3282 causes), Lung symptoms (1477 causes), Fever (1552 causes), Cough (1217 causes), Headache (2016 causes), Cold-like symptoms (719 causes), Sore throat (395 causes), Shivering (21 causes), Chills (684 causes), Loss of appetite (926 causes), Aches (829 causes), Malaise (383 causes), Dry cough (175 causes), Body aches (829 causes)
Medical articles on signs and symptoms:
Doctor-patient articles related to symptoms and diagnosis:
These general medical articles may be of interest:
See full list of premium articles on symptoms and diagnosis
Medical News summaries about Flu-like symptoms
Our news pages contain the following medical news summaries about Flu-like symptoms and many other medical conditions:
News Archives for Flu-like symptoms
Medical news articles related to Flu-like symptoms include:
Source: HealthDay News
Evidence Based Medicine Research for Flu-like symptoms
Medical research papers related to Flu-like symptoms include:
Research More Evidence-Based Medicine at TripDatabase.com
More Ways To Research Medical Signs and Symptoms:
» Next page: Causes of Flu-like symptoms
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