Is my sudden fever a symptom of influenza?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 45-year-old woman who suddenly developed a high fever, severe body aches, headache, and fatigue three days ago, along with a dry cough and sore throat. My symptoms appeared very quickly; I felt fine in the morning but became extremely unwell by evening. I work in an office where several colleagues have been unwell with similar symptoms over the past week.

Despite taking over-the-counter medications, my fever continues to spike to 102 degrees Fahrenheit, and I can barely get out of bed. I am wondering if this could be influenza rather than a regular cold, and whether I should consult a doctor or consider antiviral medications to help me recover more quickly.

Kindly advise.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

The way this started, suddenly feeling fine in the morning and very unwell by evening, along with high fever, body aches, headache, sore throat, cough, and the fact that others around you are also sick, suggests influenza rather than a common cold. Colds usually develop more gradually and cause milder symptoms. With a fever still at 102 degrees Fahrenheit after three days and such severe fatigue, it is advisable to get checked in person to confirm the diagnosis and rule out pneumonia or other complications.

The possible cause is acute influenza virus infection from workplace exposure. Antiviral medicines for influenza, such as Oseltamivir, work best when started within the first 48 hours, but doctors may still prescribe them later in severe cases or for individuals at higher risk. In the meantime, maintain adequate fluid intake, rest, manage fever with Acetaminophen (Paracetamol), and avoid overexertion.

Before deciding on the next steps, the following investigations are advisable:

Clinical examination (chest, throat).
Rapid influenza test or PCR (polymerase chain reaction) (if available).
Complete blood count (CBC).
Pulse oximetry.
Chest X-ray if cough worsens, shortness of breath develops, or chest pain occurs.

The following conditions need to be ruled out:

Coronavirus disease-19.
Severe common cold (viral upper respiratory tract infection).
Streptococcal pharyngitis.
Early pneumonia.

I would suggest the following measures:

Rest and increase oral fluid intake.
Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) for fever and body aches (as per dosing guidelines).
Saline gargles or warm fluids for throat discomfort.
Avoid returning to work until fever-free for at least 24 hours without medication.
Consult a doctor promptly to confirm the diagnosis and discuss antiviral therapy.
Monitor for warning signs, difficulty breathing, chest pain, confusion, or persistent high fever beyond four to five days.

Follow-up advice includes seeking a medical examination within the next day to confirm influenza, determine the need for antiviral treatment, and rule out any complications. It is important to monitor body temperature and watch for new symptoms, especially breathing difficulties or worsening cough.

Even if symptoms improve, a follow-up is recommended to review recovery progress and discuss preventive measures. These measures include receiving an annual influenza vaccination, practicing frequent handwashing, avoiding close contact with sick individuals during flu season, and disinfecting commonly touched surfaces at work and home.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.

Thank you.