What is a flu emergency?

Normally, people recover from the flu after within a week or two. But sometimes, the flu can lead to dangerous complications that require emergency care.

The CDC estimates that 200,000 people in the U.S. are hospitalized because of the flu every year. 36, 000 thousand die from the flu annually. While infants, the elderly, and people with certain diseases or a weakened immune system tend to be the most vulnerable, a flu emergency can happen to anyone.

Here are some flu emergency facts that you need to be aware of.

What Are Normal Flu Symptoms?

Different strains of the influenza virus cause the flu. You get the flu by either inhaling the germ or picking it up on your hands and then touching your eyes or mouth. Symptoms usually appear one to four days later.

The flu can sometimes be difficult to distinguish from a cold. But the flu usually comes on faster and is more severe. Also, keep in mind that the  ”stomach flu” is not the same as influenza. The flu very rarely causes stomach or intestinal problems in adults.

Normal flu symptoms include:

—High fever

—Headache

—Extreme exhaustion

—Cough

—Sore throat

—Runny or stuffy nose

—Body aches

Learn more about what to do in a flu emergency at BlackDoctor.Org. 

BET Health News - We go beyond the music and entertainment world to bring you important medical information and health-related tips of special relevance to Blacks in the U.S. and around the world. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter. 

(Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images)