Addiction Nicotine Use After You Quit Flu-Like Symptoms When You Stop Smoking By Terry Martin facebook twitter Terry Martin quit smoking after 26 years and is now an advocate for those seeking freedom from nicotine addiction. Learn about our editorial process Terry Martin Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Armeen Poor, MD on January 29, 2020 Armeen Poor, MD, is a board-certified pulmonologist and intensivist. He specializes in pulmonary health, critical care, and sleep medicine. Learn about our Review Board Armeen Poor, MD Updated on May 10, 2020 Print Table of Contents View All Symptoms Factors to Consider Easing Withdrawal Discomfort Risk of Flu Quitter's flu, also called smoker's flu, is a slang term used to describe the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. Smoker's flu is not an infectious disease, but rather the process a smoker's body goes through while transitioning to life after quitting. Smoker's flu refers to the physical effects of detoxing from nicotine and the chemicals in tobacco. These symptoms can mimic those of an illness. Most former smokers are probably familiar with these common symptoms of withdrawal. Illustration by Brianna Gilmartin, Verywell Symptoms of Quitter's Flu You may experience any of these symptoms after quitting smoking: Cravings to smokeIrritability, crankinessDizzinessInsomniaFatiguePoor concentrationA headacheCoughingA sore throatConstipation, gas, or stomach painDry mouthSore tongue or gumsPostnasal dripChest tightness Nicotine Withdrawal Symptoms and Coping Factors to Consider When Quitting Most of the discomfort that recent ex-smokers experience is similar to the common cold or the flu. This can make it difficult to know whether you're really sick or not. One tell-tale sign that your symptoms are caused by something more than smoker's flu is a fever. Fevers are not a sign of nicotine withdrawal. If you are running a fever with or without any of the irritations above, you might be sick. Call your doctor if it persists. The following questions can help you figure out why you aren't feeling well: Are You Using a Quit Smoking Aid? Quit-smoking aids can reduce or eliminate the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. Nearly all quit aids lower nicotine cravings to some extent. While you may still miss the act of smoking, the physical sensations of nicotine withdrawal won't be as intense as they might be without a quit aid. If you quit cold turkey (without the use of any quit aid) expect symptoms to be very strong for the first few days as your body begins eliminating residual nicotine and adjusting to healthier habits. When Did the Symptoms Start? Think about when you first started feeling bad. If the timing coincides with when you quit smoking, chance are you're dealing with nicotine withdrawal. However, if your symptoms don't improve within a few days, or you are concerned about them, call your healthcare provider for a check-up. Easing the Discomfort of Nicotine Withdrawals Quitting smoking is tough but it's one of the best things you can do for your health. These tips will help you feel better as you quit smoking: Distract Yourself Distraction is a top tool at your disposal during early smoking cessation. It's easy for our brains to get stuck on a negative track, fixating on physical irritations, and making us feel worse. Jolt yourself out of a negative mindset or obsessive craving by quickly changing your activity for a few minutes. Something as simple as getting up to pour a glass of water, or taking a few deep breaths can stop you from picking up a cigarette. Exercise Exercise beats back cravings to smoke and improves your mood by releasing endorphins in your brain. If you exercise regularly, continue doing the activities you enjoy most. If you're not used to exercising, check in with your doctor, especially if you have health issues that could pose a problem. Once you get the green light from your doctor, start slow. A short walk around the block can be enough to subdue withdrawal symptoms. Walking provides an instant reward, helping you feel better right away. Eat Well The fuel you give your body during nicotine withdrawal can either reduce your negative symptoms or make you feel worse. Think about how your body reacts to food under normal circumstances. Eating unhealthy food can lead to blood sugar spikes and crashes, leaving you feeling wired or tired as you go through your day. Foods that keep your body in balance will provide you with sustained energy as you detoxify from cigarettes. That said, if you never indulge your food cravings, deprivation could make the urge to smoke stronger. Instead, try to limit the less healthy foods you eat by using the 80/20 rule. Reserve 80% of your daily calories for nutritious food and the other 20% for occasional treats. Get Enough Rest When you quit smoking, your body works hard to rid itself of toxins and shake the physical addiction to nicotine. Give yourself permission to go to bed earlier or take a nap if you need it. Don't worry, your energy will return in time. Increased Risk of the Flu in Smokers While symptoms may initially be caused by nicotine withdrawal, keep in mind that being a smoker greatly increases the risk of influenza, pneumonia, and other respiratory diseases. If you experience fever in addition to withdrawal symptoms, see a doctor. The good news is that by quitting smoking, you are reducing your vulnerability to respiratory diseases every day. A Word From Verywell For most smokers, quitting tobacco produces one or several symptoms of withdrawal. Changing old habits is tough, especially if you've been inhaling multiple times a day for years. Quitting smoking can feel overwhelming. It may seem like your mind is trying to convince you to go back to smoking. However, nicotine withdrawals are temporary. Endure discomfort by viewing your symptoms as confirmation that your body is healing from addiction. Better days are coming soon. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! So you're ready to finally quit smoking? Our free guide can help you get on the right track. Sign up and get yours today. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Mclaughlin I, Dani JA, De biasi M. Nicotine withdrawal. Curr Top Behav Neurosci. 2015;24:99-123. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-13482-6_4 Malas M, Van der tempel J, Schwartz R, et al. Electronic Cigarettes for Smoking Cessation: A Systematic Review. Nicotine Tob Res. 2016;18(10):1926-1936. doi:10.1093/ntr/ntw119 Ploderer B, Smith W, Pearce J, Borland R. A mobile app offering distractions and tips to cope with cigarette craving: a qualitative study. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2014;2(2):e23. doi:10.2196/mhealth.3209 Klinsophon T, Thaveeratitham P, Sitthipornvorakul E, Janwantanakul P. Effect of exercise type on smoking cessation: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC Res Notes. 2017;10(1):442. doi:10.1186/s13104-017-2762-y Quitting smoking: help for cravings and tough situations. American Cancer Society. 2016. Jaehne A, Unbehaun T, Feige B, et al. Sleep changes in smokers before, during and 3 months after nicotine withdrawal. Addict Biol. 2015;20(4):747-55. doi:10.1111/adb.12151 How Tobacco Smoke Causes Disease: The Biology and Behavioral Basis for Smoking-Attributable Disease: A Report of the Surgeon General. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US). 2010. Additional Reading Nicotine and tobacco. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. National Institutes of Health. Epstein MCAA, Reynaldo S, El‐Amin AN. Is smoking a risk factor for influenza, hospitalization and death?. The Journal of Infectious Diseases. 2010;201(5):794-795. doi:10.1086/650469.