What are the symptoms?2
The flu causes a fever, body aches, a headache, a dry cough, and a sore or dry throat. You will probably feel tired and less hungry than usual. The symptoms usually are the worst for the first 3 or 4 days, but it can take 1 to 2 weeks to get completely better.
It usually takes 1 to 4 days to get symptoms of the flu after you have been around someone who has the virus.
Certain people are at higher risk of problems from the flu including young children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with long-term illnesses or with impaired immune systems that make it hard to fight infections.
Possible problems from the flu:3
Most people get better without problems. But sometimes the flu can lead to other issues.
- Pneumonia, which is an infection of the lungs. It rarely causes death in young, healthy people. But it can often be life-threatening in older adults, people who have other diseases, and pregnant women.
- Bronchiolitis. This is an inflammation of the small air passages. It affects infants and is the leading cause of serious lower respiratory illness.
- Sinusitis. This means the mucous membranes that line the inside of the nose and facial sinuses become infected and inflamed.
- Croup. Croup is a swelling or blockage in the windpipe. It causes hoarseness, a barking cough, a high-pitched sound when breathing in, and trouble breathing.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) symptoms may get worse.
- Inflammation of the heart muscle, the sac around the heart, or other muscles.
Feeling Under the Weather?
When you’re feeling unwell, it should be simple to get a diagnosis and possibly a prescription. Don’t worry, with access to Global Telehealth4 through Cigna Envoy® and the Cigna Wellbeing app®5, you can talk to a licensed doctor just about anywhere in the world by phone or video chat.
1. National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, http://www.nfid.org/influenza. Updated August 2022.
2. Cigna, Influenza (Seasonal Flu), https://www.cigna.com/knowledge-center/hw/medical-topics/influenza-hw122012. Updated March 9, 2022.
3. Cigna, Flu Complications, https://www.cigna.com/knowledge-center/hw/flu-complications-hw121734. Updated February 9, 2022.
4. Telehealth services may not be available in all jurisdictions. In general, to be covered by your plan, services must be medically necessary and used for the diagnosis or treatment of a covered condition. Not all prescription drugs are covered and prescriptions are not guaranteed to be written. Providers are solely responsible for any treatment provided and are not affiliated with Cigna. Not all providers have video chat capabilities and video chat may not be available in all areas. Telehealth providers are separate from your health plan’s provider network.
5. The downloading and use of the Cigna Envoy or the Cigna Wellbeing Mobile App is subject to the terms and conditions of the App and the online store from which it is downloaded. Standard mobile phone carrier and data usage charges apply.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult with your health care provider for appropriate examinations, treatment, testing and care recommendations.
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