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The seasonal flu can cause mild to severe illness, and at times even death.
Here are the symptoms. If you have these symptoms, they are usually symptoms of the flu - a very contagious respiratory disease:
- fever
- headache
- muscle aches and pain
- sore throat
- cough or
- weakness
If you do not start to feel better after a few days or if your symptoms get worse, you should either call your health care provider or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.
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How do you know if you have the flu or just a cold? Here are symptoms of the two illnesses.
|
Cold or Flu? |
|
|
|
SYMPTOM |
COLD |
FLU |
|
Fever |
Rare |
Usually high, sudden onset
Lasts 3 - 4 days |
|
Headache |
Rare |
Frequent |
|
Aches & Pains |
Slight |
Usual, often quite severe |
|
Weakness |
Rare / Mild |
Moderate to extreme
Can last up to one month |
|
Bedridden |
Rarely |
Frequently |
|
Sniffles |
Common |
Sometimes |
|
Sneezing |
Usual |
Sometimes |
|
Sore Throat |
Common |
Sometimes |
|
Cough |
Sometimes Mild to Moderate |
Usual;can become severe |
|
Complications |
Sinus or Ear Infection |
Pneumonia, kidney failure
heart failure, can be life
threatening |
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- Most people who get the flu will be able to manage their symptoms at home, but some people who get the flu may need further assessment by a health care provider.
- To help Ontarians decide what to do when they think they may have the flu, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has developed on-line self-assessment tool. This tool is for guidance only.
To access the tool, click here.
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