Q: I am 23 years of age and whenever I get flu, I don't take medication as I wait for it to go away on its own. However, I feel nausea, cannot smell food as it makes me want to vomit. and feel weak. Are these normal symptoms of flu?

A:Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses, and the clinical presentation can vary from a mild to severe illness. The usual symptoms of flu are high grade fever, headache, tiredness, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and muscle aches. Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, can also occur but are more common in children than adults. Serious illness from the flu is more likely in certain groups of people including people 65 and older, pregnant women, people with certain chronic medical conditions and young children. Antiviral drugs may be used, especially in severe cases in older patients, though most healthy people recover from the flu without specific treatment. If you get the flu, you should rest at home, drink plenty of liquids, and avoid alcohol and tobacco. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications like paracetamol can help to relieve the symptoms. Do visit your doctor for a clinical evaluation to rule out other causes of your symptoms.