When Is It Necessary to See a Doctor for the Flu?

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When Is It Necessary to See a Doctor for the Flu?

If you ever had the flu, you are likely to deal with a scratchy throat, cough, high fever, and body aches. You might feel like not considering the assistance of a doctor and choose to continue with fluids and homemade treatments. However, visiting a doctor for even common flu can help you recover faster and prevent chances of major complications. Searching “doctor clinic near me” can benefit you and your body significantly.

1. Common Flu Symptoms

Symptoms of flu are similar to a common cold. However, they may develop quickly into more severe health complications. These are the most common symptoms of flu:

  • Fatigue
  • High fever (above 100°F/38°C)
  • Sore throat
  • Dry or wet cough
  • Muscle aches
  • Running or stuffy nose

Also, check for these emergency symptoms when dealing with flu:

  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Mild chest pain
  • Severe neck stiffness
  • Severe or persistent vomiting
  • Sudden dizziness

2. When to Call a Doctor For the Flu?

1. Having Trouble Breathing

A stuffy nose due to a cold or flu can often cause trouble breathing. In such cases, you are likely to experience mild pain in your chest. Often we consider such symptoms as common signs of flu, which will reduce over time. However, these signs can indicate severe health conditions like heart diseases, respiratory issues, asthma, or pneumonia. Consequently, you should consider searching “good GP near me” and visit a professional expert as soon as possible.

2. Consistent High Fever

One of the common symptoms of flu is having a high fever, which is above 100°F/38°C. Although fever is common, it shouldn’t last for more than three days. If symptoms get worse, you should seek some medical help. You are likely to have gotten an infection in your body or bacterial illness. A consistent high fever is never a good sign, and you should call your doctor right away.

3. Severe Vomiting

While dealing with flu, your body needs a considerable amount of fluids to recover faster and effectively. However, sometimes it cannot process even a smidgen portion of food or water, which results in acid reflux. Constant acid reflux can lead to severe vomiting, nausea, heartburn, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). If you cannot drink or eat without vomiting, you should see your doctor immediately.

4. Painful Swallowing

Individuals dealing with flu might experience pain while swallowing anything due to a sore throat. Although a sore throat is a common symptom of flu, you shouldn’t ignore the severity of the sign. Severe pain can indicate throat infection, such as inflamed tonsils, strep throat, epiglottitis, and esophagitis. If you experience any of these symptoms, consider getting treated by a doctor.

5. Constant Cough

Are you coughing constantly? You might be dealing with post nasal drip. Postnasal drip – also known as upper airway cough syndrome – is one of the common causes of a constant cough. When allergies, dust, virus, or chemicals irritate your nasal membrane, it causes mucus to drip down from your nose into your throat. Although postnasal drip can be treated with antihistamines, the syndrome could also indicate signs of asthma or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). If you have been coughing for more than two weeks, consider calling a doctor.

6. Consistent Congestion

Cold or flu can often block your nose with mucus, resulting in a sinus infection. Such infection can cause severe congestion, headaches, and pain in your cheekbones, forehead, or the bridge of your nose. If common cold medicine is not providing you relief, you should seek medical assistance from expert doctors in Lilydale.


If you or someone in your family has the flu and requires immediate medical attention, book an online appointment with Lilydale Medical Centre. Our medical experts are highly trained, qualified, and experienced to provide general medical assistance. Protect yourself and your family from such severe flu complications.