Influenza / Flu: Symptoms, Home Care, and When to Seek Medical Care
Influenza (Flu)
Influenza, commonly called the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can range from mild to severe and may lead to complications, especially in older adults, young children, pregnant people, and those with certain chronic medical conditions.
The flu is different from a common cold. Flu symptoms often come on suddenly and can make you feel much more tired, achy, and feverish.
Common flu symptoms
Flu symptoms may include:
Fever or feeling feverish/chills
Body aches
Headache
Fatigue or weakness
Dry cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Chest discomfort
Decreased appetite
Sometimes nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
Not everyone with the flu has a fever.
Flu vs. cold vs. COVID-19
Flu, colds, and COVID-19 can have overlapping symptoms. Testing may be needed to tell the difference, especially if you are at higher risk for complications or may benefit from antiviral treatment.
In general:
Cold symptoms are often milder and may include runny nose, congestion, sneezing, and sore throat.
Flu symptoms often start suddenly with fever, chills, body aches, cough, and fatigue.
COVID-19 symptoms can overlap with flu and may include fever, cough, sore throat, congestion, fatigue, body aches, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
How flu spreads
Flu spreads mainly through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. It can also spread by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.
You may be contagious before you realize you are sick and during the first several days of illness.
What you can do at home
For mild flu symptoms, supportive care may include:
Rest
Drink fluids
Use a humidifier or steam for congestion
Honey for cough if appropriate
Saline nasal spray
Warm tea or broth
Acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever or body aches if safe for you
Avoid alcohol and smoking
Stay home while sick to reduce spread
Do not give aspirin to children or teenagers due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome.
Antiviral medication
Some people may benefit from antiviral medication, such as oseltamivir, especially when started early. Antivirals work best when started within 48 hours of symptom onset, but they may still be considered later for people at higher risk or with severe illness.
Antiviral treatment may be more strongly considered for people who are:
Age 65 or older
Pregnant or recently postpartum
Immunocompromised
Living with chronic lung, heart, kidney, liver, neurologic, or metabolic disease
Living with diabetes
Severely ill or worsening
At higher risk for flu complications
A medical visit can help determine whether testing, antivirals, or in-person evaluation may be appropriate.
Antibiotics do not treat the flu
The flu is caused by a virus. Antibiotics do not treat viral influenza. Antibiotics may only be needed if there is concern for a bacterial complication, such as pneumonia, sinus infection, or ear infection.
When to seek medical care
Schedule a medical evaluation if you have:
Symptoms starting within the past 48 hours and want to discuss antiviral treatment
High-risk medical conditions
Fever lasting more than 3 days
Symptoms that improve then suddenly worsen
Worsening cough
Ear pain
Sinus pain or pressure that worsens
Shortness of breath with activity
Dehydration concerns
Persistent vomiting or diarrhea
Severe sore throat
Concern for COVID-19, flu, or another infection
When to seek urgent or emergency care
Seek urgent or emergency care for:
Trouble breathing
Chest pain or pressure
Blue or gray lips
Confusion
Severe weakness
Fainting
Severe dehydration
Persistent vomiting
Severe headache or stiff neck
Fever with rash
Symptoms that improve then return worse with fever or cough
Severe abdominal pain
Oxygen level below your normal range if you monitor at home
Any rapidly worsening symptoms
Flu prevention
Ways to reduce flu risk include:
Get an annual flu vaccine when appropriate
Wash hands often
Avoid touching your face
Avoid close contact with sick people
Stay home when sick
Cover coughs and sneezes
Clean high-touch surfaces
Improve sleep, hydration, and nutrition
Consider masking in crowded indoor settings during respiratory virus season
Can telehealth help?
Yes. Telehealth can help review symptoms, timing, exposure, risk factors, home care, testing options, antiviral eligibility, return-to-work guidance, and when in-person care is needed.
Telehealth may be appropriate for mild to moderate flu-like symptoms. In-person or emergency care is needed for severe symptoms, breathing problems, chest pain, dehydration, confusion, or rapidly worsening illness.
Final thought
The flu can feel miserable, but many mild cases improve with rest, fluids, fever control, and time. Early evaluation is helpful if you may qualify for antiviral medication or are at higher risk for complications.
This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing severe symptoms, signs of infection, severe allergic reaction symptoms, trouble breathing, or a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
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