When is the flu an emergency?

Get medical help when you or someone else:

• Has difficulty breathing or chest pain.
• Has purple or blue discoloration of the lips.
• Is vomiting and unable to keep liquids down.
• Shows signs of dehydration (dizzy when standing, unable to urinate, or for infants, crying without shedding tears).
• Has seizures, is less responsive than normal or becomes confused.
• Has flu-like symptoms that improve, but then return with fever and worsening cough.

For kids under 12, get medical help:

• When a child less than 12 weeks old has a fever of 100.3° or higher.
• When a child 3–6 months old has a fever of 102.2° or higher.
• When a child is dehydrated (no tears, making very little urine, drinking very few liquids).
• When a child has labored breathing (such as grunting) with each breath, wheezing, or flaring or widening nostrils with each breath.
• When a child is extremely irritable, seems very lethargic or is very difficult to wake up.

Flu Prevention

• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
• Use a tissue or your upper sleeve—not your hands.
• Wash your hands frequently, especially after blowing your nose and sneezing, and before you eat.
• If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. The flu virus can enter your body when you touch something contaminated and then touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick, to stop the spread of the virus.
• Avoid close contact. Keep your distance from sick people.
• Stay healthy. Get enough sleep, exercise, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food.

Flu Symptoms

• Fever (usually above 100°)
• Headache
• Extreme fatigue
• Dry cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle aches
• Stomach problems (more common in children than adults): nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

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More information: CDC Influenza (Flu)