What should you know about flu dizziness?

Illness can reduce drinking and eating while fever and sweating increase fluid loss. That combination may cause lightheadedness, especially when standing. Dizziness can also reflect low blood sugar, heat exhaustion, anaemia or iron deficiency anaemia. A spinning sensation brought on by head movement may fit benign paroxysmal positional vertigo rather than flu.

The details matter: describe whether the room spins or you feel faint, whether it follows standing, how long each episode lasts, and whether palpitations, headache, weakness, hearing changes or anxiety occur. Atrial fibrillation can cause dizziness with an irregular or racing heartbeat and needs medical review.

Sit or lie down as soon as dizziness starts, rise slowly, and use support when walking. Take regular small sips of fluid and try light food if you have been eating little. Avoid driving, heights and bathing alone until the episodes have settled. Ask someone to stay nearby if you feel at risk of falling.

Record triggers, duration, recent fever, fluid intake and medicines. Do not change prescribed medicines or take sugar products for suspected low blood sugar unless a clinician has given you a plan.

Get urgent help for fainting, new weakness or numbness on one side, trouble speaking, severe headache, chest pain, severe breathlessness, confusion, or an irregular heartbeat with marked dizziness. Arrange prompt review if dizziness keeps returning, prevents normal activity, follows an injury, or does not improve as the illness settles.

Does this feel like lightheadedness or vertigo? Could dehydration, blood sugar, anaemia or a heart rhythm explain it? Should my blood pressure, blood count or heart rhythm be checked? Which warning signs require emergency help?