What are some warning signs indicating the need for emergency medical treatment associated with influenza?

Answer 1

It is important for people who have chronic health conditions, women who are pregnant, and people with other high risk factors to pay special attention to warning signs to signal when to seek care or receive medical treatment for a respiratory illness like influenza.

In children, signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• fast breathing or trouble breathing;
• blueish or gray skin color;
• not drinking enough fluids;
• severe, persistent vomiting;
• not waking up or not interacting;
• being so irritable that the child doesn't want to be held;
• and flu-like symptoms improve, but then return later with a fever and a worse cough.

The above are warning signs physicians think about all the time with respiratory infections. They are good things for parents to have in mind with influenza.

In adults, signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• difficulty breathing or shortness of breath;
• pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen;
• sudden dizziness, confusion, persistent or severe vomiting that doesn't go away;
• and flu-like symptoms that improve, but then come back again with a fever or worsening of cough.