Duration
The duration of a flu illness can vary greatly from person to person. Typically, the first symptoms of influenza appear shortly after infection with the virus. In most cases, these symptoms last for about seven to fourteen days.
In uncomplicated cases, the acute symptoms of influenza usually subside after a few days and most of those affected recover from the infection after about two weeks. Under certain circumstances, the symptom “coughing” can last a few weeks longer, especially in older people. In some cases it may take up to several weeks before the general feeling of weakness caused by the flu disappears.
Flu symptoms after vaccination
Every year, an estimated 15,000 people die in Germany from the complications of a flu infection. This number exceeds the number of traffic deaths by more than twice and thus represents (besides pneumococcal infections) the most frequent cause of death in Germany that can be avoided by vaccination. Influenza viruses are highly mutable and every year new, up-to-date vaccines have to be developed in very costly procedures.
The annual influenza vaccination is especially recommended for persons at risk, such as people over 60, the chronically ill, travelers or medical personnel, as it offers good (but only short-term) protection against infection. As with any vaccination, side effects may occur after the injection of the vaccine.The puncture site may redden, hurt and swell slightly. So-called flu-like symptoms can also occur such as tiredness, aching limbs, slight fever, fatigue or chills.
These symptoms usually disappear again within one to two days. The symptoms after a vaccination do not represent signs of influenza, as the vaccine consists of fragments of killed viruses that can no longer cause illness. Very rarely, allergic reactions to the chicken egg protein contained in the vaccine may occur.