From a tickle in your throat to waking up with that sore feeling that can only mean one thing, we all know the warning signs that our days are not starting well and are about to get worse. While each illness has its own unique set of markers, there are a handful of general symptoms that should trigger red flags. It’s time to prep for your tried-and-true bug-busting home remedies, or to head to the pharmacy to stock up on your most trusted medication.

Sudden or Excessive Fatigue

If you’re burning the midnight oil to meet a deadline, you will probably find yourself feeling worn out and run down. But there’s a difference between being tired and the extreme fatigue that signals the onset of illnesses like the flu. If you start feeling tired and weak and find that this feeling interferes with your normal daily activities, it may be a warning sign that your body is preparing itself to fight off an illness.

Body Aches or Chills

Body aches and chills are other notable distinctions between allergies or a cold and the onset of the flu or other illness. Body aches signaling illness can happen anywhere in, especially in the head, neck, shoulders and legs. Chills either can accompany body aches or develop after the body begins to experience pain. If you’re experiencing sniffles or sore throats with body soreness or chills, it can mean that you are coming down with more than just a simple cold.

Cough

A persistent cough is an indication of illness, especially if you don’t suffer from any other cough-causing ailments (such as asthma, COPD or allergies). A cough that brings up phlegm or mucus or is accompanied by wheezing or a feeling of chest tightness can be an early warning sign of the flu or other respiratory problem. Contact your doctor if you notice that the color of your phlegm has changed from being clear to having a green or brown color. It can indicate that you’re coming down with bronchitis or another illness that requires medical attention.