5 Flu Symptoms & Signs
Updated July 2020
Before you feel the full effects of the flu, there are a few warning signs and flu symptoms you can look out for. You can always check with a doctor for a diagnosis, or here are the top five signs that you might be coming down with the flu.
Sign #1: Someone you know has the flu
The flu is contagious. From an errant sneeze on the subway to inadvertently sharing a cup of coffee, chances are high that you can catch the flu if you’re around someone else who has it.
Sign #2: You’re more tired than usual
Fatigue is one of the earliest signs your body could be fighting a virus. Tiredness caused by the flu virus is typically more severe than the same symptom caused by a cold.
Sign #3: Your muscles are sore
One of the biggest differences between early flu symptoms and early cold symptoms is body aches. A cold virus doesn’t typically cause muscle soreness but that is a warning sign of the flu.
Sign #4: You have a fever
A fever is another early sign of the flu. Flu-related fevers are typically 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher but it’s important to note that not everyone with the flu will get a fever, and of course not everyone with a fever will get the flu.
Sign #5: You didn’t get a flu shot
The best protection against the flu is a flu shot. Without one, your body is much more susceptible to getting the flu.
Got a flu question or symptoms you're not sure about? The doctors on Amwell are here for you 24/7.