Question 1

typically the flu doesn't start off as a sore throat right?

Accepted Answer

Among other sx's: Fever, headache, body aches, sore throat, are the most common initial symptoms.

Question 2

i have sore shoulders and a sore throat - is this the flu?

Accepted Answer

Maybe, but maybe not: The flu (influenza) is easier to diagnose if one has fever, body aches, headache, sore throat, nausea and maybe vomiting, all starting on about the same day during flu season. One who has milder symptoms (maybe due to protection from flu vaccine) is harder to diagnose, so the doctor can swab one's nose and throat to do a rapid 5-10 minute test that can diagnose flu a, flu b, and strep throat.

Question 3

can the flu cause a sore throat?

Accepted Answer

Yes it can: Viral illnesses that cause a sore throat.

Question 4

is it normal for a sore throat to get worse at night?  i had the flu that started with a sore throat and it won't go away. it's worse at night.

Accepted Answer

Yes some feel at nig: Yes it is possible.Some symptoms like sore throat and cough may be worse for some.

Question 5

if i had covid 19, would my sore throat be persistent or would it be more severe in in mornings and evenings? if this is the case, can i relax in knowing it is the flu?

Accepted Answer

Hard to guess, but: Throat pain can be from a strep throat infection (antibiotics needed), a cold or influenza (antibiotics usually not used), or from some other cause such as allergies or irritants. Usually, a person sees the doctor (call first) if the sore throat is bothersome, recurrent, or doesn't go away quickly. COVID-19 infections tend to have cough whereas strep usually lacks cough but has mainly throat pain.

Question 6

last time i had flu, i had mild sore throat before fever & other symptoms appeared. i have a mild sore throat now, could it be the flu?

Accepted Answer

Possible: it is possible but it could be many other things even besides an infection, like allergies and post nasal drip or heartburn.  I wouldn't race to a doctor, see how things go, if fever follows or worsen see a doctor.

Question 7

every morning i wake up with a sore throat as if i have the flu, but during the course of the day i'm fine. is there any reason for this?

Accepted Answer

Morning sore throat: Couple of thoughts.  You may be allergic to something in the home, so that you’re being triggered overnight and not during the day when you’re out of the house.  You may have reflux (GERD), which tends to be worse overnight when we’re lying down flat as opposed to during the day when we’re upright.

Question 8

i have been coughing for over two months now. can not shake it. it started two months ago along with the flu, bad sore throat . cough is barking kind.

Accepted Answer

Med checkup:  Two months of a barking cough warrants medical evaluation.

Question 9

can you have the flu without a sore throat or a cough and would the results to a flu test show after two days?

Accepted Answer

Les likely w/o cough: A significant non-productive cough is one of the main features of a true influenza viral infection (the flu), along with abrupt onset of muscle aches, fever, fatigue.  Sore throat is not a necessary symptom of the flu, but lack of a cough makes it less likely.  Commercial tests for influenza virus, should be able to detect infection in two days, but they care not 100% accurate.

Question 10

had the flu. just as i was feeling better i got a sore throat. it started out very painful. now its bearable but uncomfortable. its been 3 wks.

Accepted Answer

Lengthy recovery: Influenza, if that is what you actually had, can be a devastating illness, with full recovery taking weeks after onset of symptoms.  Time should heal this.  If it continues much longer, however, see a doctor and get this looked at.  Secondary complications do occur, but would wait a little while longer.

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Doctor answers about:

Does the flu start with a sore throat

A member asked:

Typically the flu doesn't start off as a sore throat right?

A member asked:

I have sore shoulders and a sore throat - is this the flu?

A member asked:

Can the flu cause a sore throat?

A member asked:

Is it normal for a sore throat to get worse at night? i had the flu that started with a sore throat and it won't go away. it's worse at night.

A member asked:

If i had covid 19, would my sore throat be persistent or would it be more severe in in mornings and evenings? if this is the case, can i relax in knowing it is the flu?

A member asked:

Last time i had flu, i had mild sore throat before fever & other symptoms appeared. i have a mild sore throat now, could it be the flu?

A member asked:

Every morning i wake up with a sore throat as if i have the flu, but during the course of the day i'm fine. is there any reason for this?

A member asked:

I have been coughing for over two months now. can not shake it. it started two months ago along with the flu, bad sore throat . cough is barking kind.

A member asked:

Can you have the flu without a sore throat or a cough and would the results to a flu test show after two days?

A member asked:

Had the flu. just as i was feeling better i got a sore throat. it started out very painful. now its bearable but uncomfortable. its been 3 wks.

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