flu symptoms and treatment

Symptoms

You may be able to reduce your risk by following these tips:

• Drink only well-sealed bottled or carbonated water.
• Avoid ice cubes, because they may be made from contaminated water.
• Use bottled water to brush your teeth.
• Avoid raw food — including peeled fruits, raw vegetables and salads — that has been touched by human hands.
• Avoid undercooked meat and fish.

Causes

You’re considered high risk and should see a doctor at the first signs of the flu if:

• you are age 65 or older
• you have a chronic medical condition (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease)
• you have a compromised immune system
• you are pregnant or up to two weeks’ postpartum
• you’re a nursing home resident

Prevention

“In general, if you’ve just got a cough, sore throat, fever, muscle aches — and you can keep fluids down and breathe comfortably, then the kind of care you’re used to giving at home for a bad cold or flu should be OK,” said Dr. Andrew Pavia, chief of the University of Utah Health Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases.

Complications

Potential Causes

• Flu Vaccine. If you had the influenza vaccine (by shot or nasal spray), you may have some mild flu-like symptoms for a short period. ...
• Common Cold. ...
• Strep Throat. ...
• Bronchitis. ...
• Viral Pneumonia. ...
• Mononucleosis. ...
• Coronavirus. ...
• Acute HIV Infection. ...

What to do when you feel flu symptoms?

When to see your doctor for flu symptoms?

When should you go to the hospital for flu symptoms?

What illnesses have flu like symptoms?

See more

What is the flu?

Is the flu a contagious disease?

About this website

What cures a flu quickly?

The CDC recommends baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza), oseltamivir (Tamiflu), peramivir (Rapivab), or zanamivir (Relenza). The drugs work best when you get them within 48 hours of your first symptoms. They may shorten the time you are sick and make your symptoms milder if you take the medicine early on.

How long does a flu last?

The flu typically lasts three to seven days, according to the CDC. Serious complications of the flu, such as pneumonia, can take longer to recover from. Some symptoms, such as a cough, can persist for more than two weeks.

What is the best medicine for a flu?

Key takeaways: Antiviral prescription flu medicines, such as Tamiflu (oseltamivir), Xofluza (baloxavir marboxil), Rapivab (peramivir), and Relenza (zanamivir), can help shorten the flu, while over-the-counter (OTC) medications mainly treat symptoms.

How do I know if I have the flu or Covid?

You cannot tell the difference between flu and COVID-19 just by looking at the symptoms alone because they have some of the same symptoms. That's why testing is needed to tell what the illness is and to confirm a diagnosis.

Why does flu get worse at night?

At night, there is less cortisol in your blood. As a result, your white blood cells readily detect and fight infections in your body at this time, provoking the symptoms of the infection to surface, such as fever, congestion, chills, or sweating. Therefore, you feel sicker during the night.

How long should you quarantine if you have the flu?

Individuals with suspected or confirmed flu, who do not have a fever, should stay home from work at least 4-5 days after the onset of symptoms. Persons with the flu are most contagious during the first 3 days of their illness.

How can I treat flu at home?

We'll review 10 natural remedies and explain how to use them, and why they can help.Drink water and fluids. Drinking water and other fluids is even more important when you have the flu. ... Get plenty of rest. ... Drink warm broth. ... Up your zinc intake. ... Rinse with salt water. ... Drink herbal tea. ... Apply essential oils. ... Use a humidifier.More items...•

What medications can I take to relieve the symptoms of Covid 19?

Managing COVID-19 symptoms You can treat symptoms with over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), to help you feel better.

Can I recover from flu in 2 days?

Symptoms of the flu can appear quite suddenly and intensely, so it is common to be fine one day and then be out of action the next day with the flu. The most severe symptoms generally last 2 to 3 days – the start of the flu is when the infection is at its worst, so the symptoms are at their most severe.

What are the three common symptoms of coronavirus?

Watch for SymptomsFever or chills.Cough.Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.Fatigue.Muscle or body aches.Headache.New loss of taste or smell.Sore throat.More items...

How often is runny nose a symptom of COVID?

And nearly 60% of people who tested positive for COVID-19 with loss of smell also reported having a runny nose.

Omicron, Delta, cold, or flu symptoms? This chart shows common ...

What's the difference in symptoms for COVID (Omicron and Delta variants), the common cold, and the flu? This chart shows reported symptoms for each. If you're experiencing symptoms, consult with ...

Flu Symptoms: Common Signs, Treatments, and Complications

Common Flu Symptoms. Unlike cold symptoms, signs of the flu tend to come on suddenly. You might have: Fever above 100 F; Severe aches in your muscles and joints; Weakness or severe fatigue; Warm ...

Influenza (flu) - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

Causes. Influenza viruses travel through the air in droplets when someone with the infection coughs, sneezes or talks. You can inhale the droplets directly, or you can pick up the germs from an object — such as a telephone or computer keyboard — and then transfer them to your eyes, nose or mouth.

COVID-19 vs. flu: Similarities and differences - Mayo Clinic

How COVID-19 and flu spread. The viruses that cause COVID-19 and the flu spread in similar ways. They can both spread between people who are in close contact (within 6 feet, or 2 meters). The viruses spread through respiratory droplets or aerosols released through talking, sneezing or coughing.

Do you have a cold, the flu or Covid-19? How to tell the difference - CNN

Covid-19 can look a lot like a simple cold or flu, especially in vaccinated people. Epidemiologist Dr. Abdul El-Sayed explains what to look for to differentiate between the viruses and how to ...

Is It Flu, COVID-19, Allergies, or a Cold? | NIH News in Health

Comparing Cold, Flu, Allergies, and COVID-19; Symptoms Cold Flu Airborne Allergy COVID-19; Fever: Rare: Usual, high (100–102 °F), sometimes higher, especially in young children); lasts 3–4 days

How to help a person with the flu?

If you do come down with the flu, these measures may help ease your symptoms: Drink plenty of liquids. Choose water, juice and warm soups to prevent dehydration. Rest. Get more sleep to help your immune system fight infection. You may need to change your activity level, depending on your symptoms.

What to take for achiness from influenza?

Consider pain relievers. Use an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), to combat the achiness associated with influenza.

How long should you stay home with a fever?

To help control the spread of influenza in your community, stay home and keep sick children home until fever has been gone for 24 hours. Avoid being around other people until you're feeling better, unless you're getting medical care. If you do need to leave your home and get medical care, wear a face mask.

Can you take zanamivir with asthma?

Oseltamivir is an oral medication. Zanamivir is inhaled through a device similar to an asthma inhaler and shouldn't be used by anyone with certain chronic respiratory problems, such as asthma and lung disease.

Do you need to be tested for influenza?

During times when influenza is widespread, you may not need to be tested for influenza. Your doctor may diagnose you based on your signs and symptoms. In some cases, your doctor may suggest that you be tested for influenza. He or she may use various tests to diagnose influenza. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing is becoming more common in many ...

How long does it take to recover from the flu?

Most people who get flu will recover in a few days to less than two weeks, but some people will develop complications (such as pneumonia) as a result of flu, some of which can be life-threatening and result in death.

What are the complications of the flu?

Other possible serious complications triggered by flu can include inflammation of the heart (myocarditis), brain (encephalitis) or muscle (myositis, rhabdomyolysis) tissues, and multi-organ failure (for example, respirator y and kidney failure).

Can the flu cause death?

Influenza (flu) can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death . Flu is different from a cold. Flu usually comes on suddenly. People who have flu often feel some or all of these symptoms: some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

What to do if you have the flu?

If you have flu symptoms and are at risk of complications, see your doctor right away. Taking antiviral drugs may reduce the length of your illness and help prevent more-serious problems. If you have emergency signs and symptoms of the flu, get medical care right away.

How long does it take for the flu to go away?

If you're young and healthy, the flu usually isn't serious. Although you may feel miserable while you have it, the flu usually goes away in a week or two with no lasting effects. But children and adults at high risk may develop complications that may include:

When will nasal spray be effective?

However, the nasal spray vaccine is expected to be effective in the 2020-2021 season. The nasal spray still isn't recommended for some groups, such as pregnant women, children between 2 and 4 years old with asthma or wheezing, and people who have compromised immune systems.

What is the name of the virus that attacks the respiratory system?

Influenza is a viral infection that attacks your respiratory system — your nose, throat and lungs. Influenza is commonly called the flu, but it's not the same as stomach "flu" viruses that cause diarrhea and vomiting.

Remedies and Treatments for Flu

Your doctor will likely perform a physical exam and look for common signs of the flu. Various tests are available for diagnosing the illness. The doctor will likely base any treatment recommendations on the severity of your case and any aspects of your medical history that might lead to flu complications.

When to See a Doctor

Most people recover from a bout of flu with at-home treatment. But you may want to see a doctor if you experience more severe complications.

What to do if you have the flu?

CDC recommends prompt treatment for people who have flu or suspected flu who are at high risk of serious flu complications, such as people with asthma, diabetes or heart disease.

What is the name of the medication that is prescribed to treat the flu?

There are prescription medications called “antiviral drugs” that can be used to treat flu illness. What are antiviral drugs? Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid, an inhaled powder, or an intravenous solution) that fight against flu in your respiratory tract. Antiviral drugs are not sold over the counter.

What is an antiviral?

Antiviral drugs are different from antibiotics. Flu antivirals are prescription medicines (pills, liquid, intravenous solution, or an inhaled powder) and are not available over the counter. Antiviral drugs can make illness milder and shorten the time you are sick. They also can prevent serious flu complications, like pneumonia, ...

Why is it important to take antiviral medicine early?

It’s very important that antiviral drugs be used early to treat people who are very sick with flu (for example, people who are in the hospital) and people who are sick with flu and have a greater chance of getting serious flu complications, either because of their age or because they have a high risk medical condition.

How long does it take for antiviral drugs to work?

Studies show that flu antiviral drugs work best for treatments when they are started within 2 days of getting sick. However, starting them later can still be helpful, especially if the sick person has a high-risk health condition or is very sick from flu (for example, hospitalized patients).

How to keep from getting sick?

While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

Can you buy antiviral medication over the counter?

Antiviral drugs are not sold over the counter. You can only get them if you have a prescription from your doctor or health care provider. Antiviral drugs are different from antibiotics, which fight against bacterial infections.

What are the symptoms of the flu?

Common signs of an influenza infection include: coughing. runny or stuffy nose. sneezing. sore throat. fever. headache.

How long does it take for flu symptoms to go away?

chills. body aches. Sometimes, influenza A symptoms may resolve on their own. However, if symptoms persist for more than a week without improvement, schedule a visit with your doctor.

What is the name of the drug that stops the virus from replicating?

A new medication called baloxavir marboxil ( Xofluza ), created by a Japanese pharmaceutical company, was approved in October 2018 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Trusted Source. . This antiviral drug helps stop the influenza virus from replicating.

What is the type of influenza?

What is type A influenza? Influenza — also known as the flu — is a contagious viral infection that attacks your respiratory system. Influenza viruses that infect humans can be classified into three main groups: A, B, and C. Type A influenza infection can be serious and cause widespread outbreaks and disease. Common symptoms of type A infection can ...

How does influenza A clear?

In some cases, influenza A symptoms can clear on their own with ample rest and fluid intake. In other cases, your doctor may prescribe antiviral medication to fight the infection.

What are the side effects of oseltamivir?

Though effective, these medications can cause side effects such as nausea and vomiting.

How long does it take for a doctor to test for influenza?

In this procedure, your doctor swabs your nose or throat. The test will detect influenza viral RNA within 30 minutes or less.

What should I do when I'm sick?

What should I do while I’m sick? Stay away from others as much as possible to keep from infecting them. If you must leave home, for example to get medical care, wear a facemask if you have one, or cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Wash your hands often to keep from spreading flu to others.

Can the flu cause death?

Influenza (flu) can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death . Flu is different from a cold. Flu usually comes on suddenly. People who have flu often feel some or all of these symptoms: Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

Can you go to the emergency room if you are sick?

No. The emergency room should be used for people who are very sick. You should not go to the emergency room if you are only mildly ill. If you have the emergency warning signs of flu sickness, you should go to the emergency room. If you get sick with flu symptoms and are at high risk of flu complications or you are concerned about your illness, ...

Can you take Aspirin with the flu?

CDC also recommends that children and teenagers (anyone aged 18 years and younger) who have flu or are suspected to have flu should not be given Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) or any salicylate containing products (e.g. Pepto Bismol); this can cause a rare, very serious complication called Reye’s syndrome.

What is the flu?

minus. Related Pages. Influenza (also known as “flu”) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. This page provides resources about flu symptoms, complications, and diagnosis. user md chat light icon.

Is the flu a contagious disease?

Influenza (also known as “flu”) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. This page provides resources about flu symptoms, complications, and diagnosis.

Overview

Symptoms

Causes

Risk Factors

Complications

Prevention