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Answered Question
M$1
April 01, 2009 07:19 PM
What bugs (viruses, bacteria) can cause a "24 hr flu" (symtpoms: fever, sore throat, chills, aches, congestion)?
On Monday, I started feeling very ill, congestion, tiredness, etc. I was able to work the full day but went straight to bed when I got home. On Tuesday, I was completely out of comission, and slept about 16 hours. However, I was fine on Wednesday.
What kind of bacteria or viruses would give such short-term symptoms?
What kind of bacteria or viruses would give such short-term symptoms?
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Best Answer Decided by Votes
| April 02, 2009 04:12 AM | view on twitter |
You had a cold. Your symptoms are textbook cold symptoms.
From medicinenet:
"Symptoms of the common cold include nasal stuffiness or drainage, sore or scratchy throat, sneezing, hoarseness, cough, and perhaps a fever and headache. Many people with a cold feel tired and achy. These symptoms will typically last anywhere from three to 10 days."
You were able to fight it off quickly because you slept so much. This is purely anecdotal but my colds usually last 1 or 2 days because I just try to sleep as much as I can. Rest allows your immune system to fight whatever virus it is that infected you. In fact lack of sleep has been shown to increase your risk of colds!
I also think everyone is different and not only every person is different but every virus is different. Some are weaker than others.
In terms of what your bug is. It's most likely a virus (colds are viral). It's hard to say which kind of virus because there's hundreds of types of various and thousands-millions of mutations. It's very unlikely that you had a bacterial infection as the symptoms you describe are cold symptoms and you were able to fight it on your own very quickly.
Source(s):
http://www.medicinenet.com/common_cold/article.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_cold
http://discovermagazine.com/2009/apr/22-new-theory-about-why-sleep-maintain...
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Other Answers (2)
April 01, 2009 07:45 PM
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All flu is caused by just one family of viruses: influenza viruses. The symptoms arrive quickly, and can abate just as quickly in some cases. It all depends on the specific type.
Source(s):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flu#Microbiology
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April 02, 2009 04:11 AM
Indeed, @dumblonde is referring to a common misconception wherein many people say they have the flu, when in fact they have a common (but probably severe form of) cold caused by that rascal, rhino-virus.
People also commonly mistake gastroenteritis for something called the "stomach flu", which is usually not the influenza virus at all, but symptoms arising from any number of infectious or toxic agents, including the noro- and rotavirus and our good friend, the salmonella bacterium.
Of course, whenever you try to tell your friends you were down with a bad case of gastroenteritis, they'll get that puzzled look on their faces until you relent and say, "You know...stomach flu."
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People also commonly mistake gastroenteritis for something called the "stomach flu", which is usually not the influenza virus at all, but symptoms arising from any number of infectious or toxic agents, including the noro- and rotavirus and our good friend, the salmonella bacterium.
Of course, whenever you try to tell your friends you were down with a bad case of gastroenteritis, they'll get that puzzled look on their faces until you relent and say, "You know...stomach flu."
April 01, 2009 09:43 PM
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I've been experiencing this "24-hour" bug with much more frequency than I did as a child (almost never), or as a young man (maybe once every other year). Now, approaching 40, I'm struck frequently with what appears to be the onset of a cold or flu, which disappears in less than 24 hours. I figure it's one of 2 things:- Allergies - I have hay fever, and over time, my symptoms, which were very mild in childhood, are now quite debilitating as an adult. One of the joys of living in Southern California is a year-round allergy season, and whenever the weather warms up (either for the season, or for our many "Indian Summers") my sinuses go berserk. I don't take antihistamines or allergy medications, so in these instances the symptoms could probably be matched to a spike in pollen count.
- Minor head colds that are quickly suppressed by my immune system. I travel frequently, and have a young child, both are fertile vectors of good ole rhino-virus. I take my vitamins, and I had my share of colds growing up, so I hope my antibodies, while a little slow to start, end up winning the battle before the infection really takes hold. It's like the ghost-symptoms that you get when you get a flu-shot: just a small taste of the full symptoms while your antibodies gear up for battle.
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April 01, 2009 11:21 PM
I've got one of those about 15 days ago. But the 24h thing could be just a matter of perception. Are you sure you didn't have any other symptoms previously? There is a type of flu that attacks the digestive system first and then goes to the respiratory system.
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April 02, 2009 01:52 AM
Nushka makes a good point. As I am no longer the spring chicken I once was, I'm sure I've grown accustomed to discomfort and sinus problems that might actually be cold or flu symptoms. I'll go weeks with on and off sinus congestion which may or may not be a very weak cold or allergies. But I have had those mornings where you wake up, your throat is sore, your head is throbbing and the energy is just not there (and believe me, I'm no early bird, so zero energy at 5:30am means no way in heck I'm going to work!). Crawling back into bed and sleeping for the next 12-20 hours sometimes magically results in a symptom free tomorrow. Not often enough for me to rely on it, but I've had that happen twice this year so far.
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April 02, 2009 03:54 AM
- Fact Refuted
It's unlikely the cause of carriep's symptoms is allergy though because she had fever and chills. Fever, chills and aches implies some kind of infection.
http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/cold-guide/common-cold-or-allergy-symptoms
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http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/cold-guide/common-cold-or-allergy-symptoms
April 02, 2009 04:02 AM
@dumblonde I should clarify, I only take them rarely, when I am so miserable, allergy or cold-wise that I can't take the sinus congestion/drainage anymore and my wife is ready to smother me with a pillow for keeping her awake with my sneezing, throat clearing and coughing. :)
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Flu is often used generally without meaning influenza, which is much more serious.