The first symptoms of pandemic flu
A doctor should be consulted as soon as the first symptoms of pandemic flu appear. At the present time, it is difficult to know what will be the actual symptoms of pandemic flu. Nevertheless, given the experience of previous pandemics, the main symptoms of pandemic flu are likely to be very similar to those of seasonal flu, which are summarised below.
The main symptoms of seasonal flu: Seasonal flu generally begins with headaches, shivering and a cough, rapidly followed by fever, loss of appetite, aching, fatigue, nasal discharge, sneezing, watering of the eyes and an irritated throat. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea may also occur in children but rarely in adults. Fever and fatigue develop suddenly.
The respiratory signs (dry cough, significant pharyngeal pain, nasal congestion) are present from the start of the illness. Nasal discharge is usually clear.
A cough is the most common symptom. Sometimes severe, it is accompanied after a few days by expectoration that can be purulent.
Digestive signs (nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea) are sometimes observed, particularly in elderly persons.
The majority of infected individuals recover 1 week to 10 days after the first symptoms appear, although fatigue and a cough may persist for two to three weeks.
Incubation: This varies between one and three days and may take up to seven days (period between the time of infection and the appearance of the first signs of the illness).
Contagiousness: An individual infected with seasonal flu can be contagious one day before the appearance of symptoms and remain so for around seven days. This is why it is essential to protect yourself in order to avoid becoming contaminated, even if the individuals with whom you are in contact do not appear to be ill.
However, an individual becomes particularly contagious when coughing as, under these conditions, s/he can project viruses within a range of 1 to 2 metres if nothing is placed in front of the mouth.