Flu without fever
A common cold can manifest itself with very similar symptoms to the real flu; both diseases are caused by viruses. However, in contrast to the flu, a cold does not cause a fever or only a low fever. Instead, symptoms such as a stuffy or runny nose, headaches and aching limbs, general fatigue, coughing and sore throat are the main symptoms.
If these symptoms occur without a fever, in most cases it is a viral disease (flu-like infection, common cold), but not caused by the influenza viruses that trigger the flu. Usually the symptoms of a cold subside after two to three days. In the case of a real flu, there is no uniform symptom pattern.
The disease can occur without any symptoms and can even lead to severe, feverish courses with a fatal outcome. In cases where the influenza disease has very few symptoms, fever is often not present, the disease is usually not recognized or is mistaken for a normal cold. Typically, however, one only speaks of a “real flu” when there is a sudden onset of the disease with a high fever above 39°C. The fever rises quickly and an extreme feeling of sickness and the typical symptoms such as muscle and limb pain, dry cough without phlegm, a blocked or runny nose, loss of appetite and severe persistent tiredness occur.
Symptoms of influenza in babies
With children as well as with adults, a flu usually proceeds without complications, similar to a flu-like infection. Infants or babies rarely show the typical symptoms of influenza. Fever and loss of appetite are common.
Symptoms such as coughing or fever are treated as with a common cold. In many cases, babies recover within a few days and above all need a lot of sleep, rest and plenty of fluids. Within about five days, the baby should feel much better.
However, if the baby is younger than three months and shows any kind of signs of illness, a doctor should be consulted. During this time the baby should still benefit from the so-called nest protection, i.e. antibodies of the mother. If the baby develops a very high fever, a rash (exanthema) is added, the skin takes on a bluish color (cyanosis), or the baby does not seem to be awake properly, he or she should be immediately presented to a doctor or in an emergency room as these may be signs of complications.
