The onset is usually sudden, with:

• Fever
• A blocked nose and sore throat
• Tiredness, weakness and a general feeling of being unwell
• Headache
• Muscle ache
• Cough

The symptoms are worse for the first 5 days and usually recover by 10 days. Complications of influenza include otitis media, bronchitis and pneumonia. Children may develop convulsions caused by the high fever (pyrexial fits).