What is 'Teflon flu', illness caused by overheated non-stick cookware?

Toxic fumes from burning non-stick pans sent over 250 Americans to the hospital last year. The polymer fume fever, also known as 'Teflon flu', is named after the non-stick coating Teflon used on many cookware items. When such cookwares are heated above 260°C, the coating degrades, releasing harmful vapours. Symptoms include headache, fever, coughing, shortness of breath, muscle pain, etc.