What Causes Excessive Sweating Inspite Of Having Flu?

Posted on Thu, 22 May 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 22 May 2014 Answered on

Wed, 11 Jun 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : it is about the 3rd day of having the flu. I am still very weak & very sore. I was able to eat some chicken noodle soup earlier & hhave kept it down for about 2 hrs. my concern is I am sweating alot... alot. is this normal I have been told when you sweat alot its your body sweating out the infection or sickness but then I also heard that is a myth. is sweating with the flu normal, is it a myth or not

Answered by Dr. Dr. Prasad J (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Sweating is common during infection....

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Sweating is common during infection. It's one way of bring down body's core temperature. You sweat to lose heat from the body.
It also occurs as the metabolic rate increases. Your body tries to create more energy from existing stores as our appetite is low and we eat low during infection.

You don't sweat out the infection or sickness. But you definitely sweat out the high temperature.

I hope you recover from this infection soon.

Let me know if you need clarifications.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Prasad J (15 hours later)

I was kinda wrong about the amount of time I have had the flu. its just now been 3 days. I am getting better, but I can't seem to get rid of this head ache. is that normal for the flu? nothing I do seems to help. I have taken ibuprofen, then a different time I have taken Tylenol and then at a different time a different pain reliever & nothing seems to work . is this part of the flu as well?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Prasad J (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, headache is part of viral infection...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Headache is very common associated complaint reported during viral infections. It starts with the infection and can stay a few days after recovery.

Severity of headache varies amongst individual. Some one who is known to have chronic headache are particularly known to suffer with very bad headaches. If you are getting better overall and there is no more fever, I feel the headache should resolve in a few days. You can take tylenol pain relief round the clock - once every 4th hourly along with ibuprofen twice a day (if tylenol isn't sufficient). Besides this I encourage you to drink plenty of water and eat fresh fruits and vegetables.

As long as you are getting better, I don't think you require medical intervention. But if fever episodes recur, the headache becomes intolerable even after 2 days wait period or if you develop recurring vomiting, I would recommend you visit the GP for examination.

At this moment, you seem to be doing well. Don't be scared.

Let me know if you need clarifications. If there are no more questions, please close this discussion.

Good luck!!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar