Although for most people any kind of flu will simply cause nothing
worse than several days of misery, especially for those at high
risk it is more likely than a cold to develop into a more serious
respiratory illness, including pneumonia and other serious
bacterial infections.
Because it is sometimes difficult to tell the difference between a
cold and the flu, here are some warning signs to watch for. If
someone with bad cold or flu-like symptoms develops any of these
signs, it's time to get medical advice right away:
Difficulty breathing
Fast, shallow breathing
Rapid pulse
Chest pain
Blue or purple lips or of the skin around the mouth
Fever over 101 degrees for more than 24 hours
Repeated vomiting and diarrhea
Seizures or convulsions
Signs of dehydration: Uncharacteristic mental confusion,
decreased urination, dizziness
Those at high risk for complications from the
flu, including those with chronic illnesses, those with immune
deficiencies, and those over 65 should not wait to call their
doctor for instructions if they believe they have the flu. If you
wait you may be looking at an evening or a weekend trip to the
emergency room, which you certainly want to avoid. However, if you
can't reach the doctor, and you are concerned about the condition
of your person with the flu, it is better to make the trip.
Someone who is having difficulty breathing can run into serious
trouble very quickly.
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