How long does the flu last? And does treating flu help make it go away faster? The answers depend on your particular health. The flu—or influenza—is a highly contagious respiratory virus caused by one of three different virus types: influenza A, B, or C.
The main way that illnesses like colds and the flu spread from person to person is through the droplets that sick people propel when they cough and sneeze. You can also get the flu by exposure to saliva passed by routine contact, such as kissing or sharing eating utensils.
For most healthy people, the flu is an uncomfortable but short-term illness that resolves itself as the immune system fights it off. Symptoms usually appear from one to four days after exposure to the virus, and they last five to seven days. For people who've had a flu shot, the symptoms may last a shorter amount of time, or be less severe. For other people, the symptoms may last longer. Even when symptoms resolve, you may continue to feel fatigued. People in those groups may have weakened immune systems, and are at increased risk for the complication of pneumonia, which can be deadly.
If you get the flu, you should get rest and drink plenty of fluids. Take pain relievers to lower your fever and relieve the aches, such as:. If you are at high risk of complications, and if it is early in the infection, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral drug for treating flu, such as oseltamivir Tamiflu, generic versions. To better predict how long the flu will last, take steps to reduce your risk of contracting the virus and experiencing severe symptoms.
These steps won't guarantee that you'll escape the flu this year, but they may help prevent it. It is important to tell the doctor about any previous health problems or drug reactions because some people experience side effects when they take anti-flu drugs.
Antibiotics cannot treat the flu. The flu is a virus, and antibiotics only treat bacterial infections. However, some people develop secondary infections because of the flu. Children are especially vulnerable to ear infections , but adults can get them too. If symptoms suddenly change or get worse, this could mean that there is a new infection, which could be viral or bacterial.
People should try to see a doctor within 24 to 48 hours after flu symptoms appear, as this is when antiviral treatments are most effective.
It is also important to see a doctor if symptoms do not improve after 7 days or new symptoms, such as ear pain, appear. Most people who get the flu will have symptoms that last between 3 and 7 days. If they develop complications, they may be ill for longer. Thousands of people die from the flu every year. Children, older adults, or people with compromised immune systems are much more vulnerable to flu complications.
People should take the flu seriously by resting and avoiding public places until their symptoms disappear. With rest and medical care, it is possible to recover even from serious complications. Anyone with severe flu symptoms should see a doctor. To reduce the risk of getting the flu again, a person can get the flu shot every year. Flu infections dropped after the introduction of COVID restrictions, but this reduced exposure to influenza may mean reduced population immunity.
Are swine flu vaccines safe and effective? Read on to learn more about swine flu vaccines, such as their role in both the and swine flu…. Complications from the flu can range from moderate to severe. In rare cases, they can be life threatening. Learn more about flu complications here. This article discusses why coughs develop, how long coughs tend to last in different circumstances, and when someone should contact a doctor.
A survey conducted by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases revealed that 41 percent of people think the flu is only contagious after symptoms start.
An adult infected with influenza may be contagious from one day before symptoms start until five to seven days after becoming sick. Children may continue to be contagious for longer than seven days, according to the CDC. Staying home until your contagious period has likely passed will help you avoid passing germs on to other people.
Other simple steps can keep you from spreading infection to others or picking up a virus from other people around you at school, work, or at home. When complications develop, a person will likely be sick for longer than a week or two, depending on the severity of the complication, how quickly a person receives treatment for it, and how well the patient responds to treatment.
Signs of severe complications that should prompt you to seek medical attention include the following, according to the CDC 6 :.
A study published in March in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases confirmed that immunity declines over the months following vaccination or infection.
Getting vaccinated every year is important to lower your likelihood of getting the flu. It takes about two weeks to develop immunity to the flu, and experts recommend getting vaccinated before flu season is in full swing to ensure adequate protection. But if you actually have the flu, you can get very sick. There is no cure for a cold, the CDC says — it will get better on its own. People with health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease that put them at at high risk for flu complications should seek treatment right away.
As for home remedies, there is evidence that zinc , taken by mouth in the form of lozenges, tablets, or syrups, can help reduce the length of colds if taken within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health NCCIH.
The NCCIH adds that zinc can cause nausea and gastrointestinal issues, and that it can interact with other medication, such as antibiotics. Acetaminophen Tylenol and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen Advil, Motrin, and Ibuprin are effective treatments for fever and aches caused by either a cold or the flu. People with either illness should also be sure to rest and drink plenty of fluids. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Health Topics. Health Tools. Reviewed: March 27, Medically Reviewed.
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