A leading GP has warned that people could believe they’re suffering from the flu, when in reality they are dealing with a much more serious medical condition—as a mutated strain of the virus causes havoc across the UK.
It comes as the NHS said it’s ‘bracing for an unprecedented flu wave this winter’ with figures released yesterday confirming that ‘three trust’s worth of hospital beds’ are currently taken up by people with flu.
Dr Donald Grant, GP and Senior Clinical Advisor at The Independent Pharmacy, said that the scale of the flu outbreak could lead people to become complacent about feeling unwell, or shrug off serious warning signs as just part and parcel of having a seasonal bug.
He said: ‘This increase in flu cases could lead to people misjudging the severity of their symptoms.
‘With so many overlapping symptoms, it can be easy to mistake flu for something potentially more serious, especially as cases continue to skyrocket.
‘By monitoring symptoms carefully and seeking medical attention, when necessary, people can ensure they receive the right treatment and avoid further complications.’
Some of these symptoms can be easy to miss, but have serious consequences.
Read on to find out six things that happen when you have flu that could signal it’s developed into,or is masking, a potentially life-threatening condition.
Shortness of breath or chest pain
It’s common for people to experience chest pain and shortness of breath, but it could be a sign your flu has developed into something more serious, says Dr Grant.
‘These symptoms should never be ignored as delaying medical intervention could worsen the underlying infection or increase the risk of hospitalisation,’ he said.
‘If shortness of breath or chest pain accompany flu symptoms, it could be a massive sign that something more serious is developing, such as pneumonia.’
Pneumonia is a life-threatening lung infection which causes inflammation of tiny air sacs, known as alveoli, in one or both lungs, resulting in them filling with fluid or pus, making it difficult to breath.
In adults, other signs of pneumonia include coughing up yellow or green mucus, a high temperature, body aches, fatigue, loss of appetite, confusion and wheezing. Babies may make grunting noises.
Dr Grant continued: ‘Shortness of breath could indicate an underlying health condition, such as asthma or COPD, which can become worse in colder months.’
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a group of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties.
‘However, it may also be a sign of heart failure, so visiting your GP for further advice is essential.’
It is thought the flu causes stress on the body, affecting blood pressure, heart rate and heart function.
There’s evidence heart attacks happen more often during or immediately after someone has had the flu, and the risk is higher in older people says the British Heart Foundation.
A fever that lasts longer than five days
The NHS says it’s best to stay at home if you have the flu, which typically starts suddenly with a high fever over 38C—which can last three to four days—that can generally be lowered by taking paracetamol.
However, if it lasts longer than five days, it could be a sign that your flu has developed into something more serious, and you need medical attention, says Dr Grant.
He said: ‘A normal flu fever tends to peak after around three days, and while it may linger for up to a week, a high temperature that continues or worsens for longer than four to five days could be a sign of pneumonia or a bacterial infection.’
It is thought that the flu can weaken the body’s immune system, leading to secondary bacterial infections which can spread to the bloodstream, triggering the life-threatening response, sepsis.
This is when the body overreacts to an infection, leading to a chain of reactions which can result in organ damage and failure which can prove fatal if not treated immediately.
‘A persistent fever is not just a seasonal issue – it’s a tell-tale sign that the body is fighting an infection or illness that requires medical attention,’ Dr Grant added.
‘It can be easy for people to mistake a lingering fever as a common flu symptom, but when it lasts this long, it should never be overlooked.’
Dehydration and the inability to keep fluids down
Sweating, faster and shallow breaths, vomiting and diarrhoea can lead to rapid fluid and electrolyte loss, which can ‘significantly impact hydration levels’, says Dr Grant.
But he said: ‘Even intense flus don’t typically stop you from keeping fluids down for extensive periods.
‘If you’re unable to stay hydrated due to persistent vomiting or diarrhoea, it could be a further sign of a more serious underlying health concern, such as a gastrointestinal illness.
‘Over-the-counter treatments, such as Dioralyte sachets, can be useful for restoring lost fluids.
‘However, I also recommend consulting your GP for more tailored advice and medication.’
Symptoms in children and adults include feeling thirsty, dark yellow, strong-smelling urine, urinating less often than usual, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, fatigue, sunken eyes as well as a dry mouth, lips and tongue.
Signs of dehydration in babies include a sunken soft spot known as fontanelle on top of their head, sunken eyes, few or no tears when they cry, not having many wet nappies and appearing drowsy or irritable.
In severe cases, it can lead to electrolyte imbalances which is when fluids in the body have too much or too little essential nutrients. This can lead to organ damage, particularly to the kidneys, and death.
Confusion or other cognitive difficulties
It’s natural to not feel like ourselves when we’re ill, but if you suddenly feel confused, can’t concentrate or display other cognitive problems, it’s a concern, says Dr Grant.
‘Flu can cause fatigue, but it should not cause confusion, difficulty concentrating or extreme drowsiness,’ he said.
‘Cognitive difficulties are often a sign of low oxygen levels, severe dehydration or sepsis, three major health concerns that should be taken extremely seriously.
‘These symptoms are not typical of seasonal illnesses, such as the flu, and require urgent medical attention.
‘Therefore, it’s crucial not to dismiss them as normal flu symptoms.’
Previously Harvard Health explained that the flu can cause oxygen levels to drop to dangerously low levels, resulting in hospitalisation and death.
It’s a particular danger for people with an often-undiagnosed condition called atherosclerosis, common in people in midlife, which narrows the arteries.
The narrowing of the arteries it explained reduces blood flow which means less oxygen reaches the muscle.
Then, when someone gets the flu and less oxygen gets to the heart, it can trigger a heart attack which can result in sudden death.
Research has shown those over the age of 40 even in good health have a 50 per cent chance of developing atherosclerosis says the Heart Research Institute UK.
Symptoms improving, then suddenly getting worse
If you’ve started to feel better only to suddenly get worse again, this could be another sign it has developed into something else, says Dr Grant.
He said: ‘Generally, your flu symptoms should gradually improve over several days, but a sudden worsening of symptoms could signal a bacterial infection, such as bronchitis.
‘The rebound effect may indicate complications that require medical assessment, so carefully monitoring symptom improvement is an essential aspect of recovery.
‘If symptoms return with greater intensity, seek tailored advice from a qualified health professional.
Bronchitis is inflammation of the airways in the lungs which causes coughing often with mucus, shortness of breath and wheezing. It general gets better in around three weeks.
Other signs of it include chest pain when coughing, a sore throat, runny nose and a high temperature
It is rarely fatal in healthy people but can be dangerous for the vulnerable, such as those with COPD, compromised immune systems or the elderly and young children.
Severe or unusual muscle pain
The final symptom which can be a sign your flu has developed into something more serious is intense or unusual muscle pain, says Dr Grant.
It is thought the painful body aches you get from the flu are caused by inflammatory chemicals released by the immune system to fight off the virus.
He explained: ‘Body aches are a common symptom of flu, so it’s easy to mistake severe or unusual muscle pain as a normal part of the illness.
‘However, intense muscle pain that makes it difficult to move or carry out everyday activities can signal a more serious infection.
‘In rare cases, it can be a sign of rhabdomyolysis, a condition where muscle tissue breaks down.
‘If muscle pain becomes extreme or is accompanied by weakness, seeking medical advice immediately is vital.’
Rhabdomyolysis, a rare complication of the flu, is when damaged muscle tissue breaks down quickly, releasing harmful substances which can enter the bloodstream.
This is a medical emergency that needs fast treatment as it can damage the kidneys and heart leading to kidney failure and irregular heartbeats.
Read more
- Is the flu deadlier than we ever imagined? Discover the harrowing journey of Locklynn, whose routine flu symptoms spiraled into a life-threatening ordeal.
- Feeling under the weather or is it something more sinister lurking in your system this flu season?
- Could festive flu prove the ultimate winter menace as hospital admissions soar and health chiefs issue dire warnings?
- Is your child vulnerable to a killer flu complication as cases surge? Find out what doctors say!
- What’s causing the NHS to issue a dire warning about flu and Covid-19 this winter?
