Have you caught the flu (influenza)? Knowing what to do may help you feel better sooner and stop others from becoming sick.
At Banner Health, we are committed to providing you with the best medical care. Here is what you need to know about managing the flu.
If you have flu symptoms , quick action is important so you can feel better as soon as possible.
Most flu cases can be treated at home with simple steps, including:
Cold and flu medications can help your symptoms, but it is important to use them carefully and follow recommended dosages. If you have questions, ask your health care provider or a pharmacist.
Some options include:
People with hypertension (high blood pressure) must be careful when treating the flu with cold and flu medications. Some medicines (such as decongestants) can increase your blood pressure and stop your blood pressure treatment from working the right way.
Here are some recommendations:
Learn more about how to choose the best cold or flu medication.
Usually, you’ll need nothing more than self-care at home to treat flu symptoms.
However, antiviral drugs may be prescribed in some cases, especially if you have a severe infection or are in a high-risk group. Those at higher risk of flu complications include children under 5 years old, adults over 65, pregnant people and people with chronic medical conditions and/or weakened immune systems.
Antiviral medications work by slowing the flu virus’s ability to multiply, allowing you to get better more quickly. These prescription drugs include oseltamivir (Tamiflu), zanamivir (Relenza), peramivir (Rapivab) or baloxavir (Xofluza).
If your provider prescribes antiviral medications, you should start taking them within 48 hours (about two days) of getting sick and carefully follow your provider’s instructions.
Learn more about antiviral medications for the flu.
Mild cases of the flu usually last between 7 to 14 days (about two weeks). You may have a cough that lingers for a few weeks after other symptoms disappear.
The flu is contagious before you show symptoms (up to 24 hours before symptoms begin) and up to a week after symptoms start. Wait until you are fever-free for at least 24 hours before returning to school, work or other public places.
Even if you have the flu, there are many good reasons to get a flu shot once you are better. That’s because several strains of the flu circulate each season.
The flu shot boosts your defense against different strains. This can help limit how long you are sick if you catch the flu again.
Learn more about flu vaccination and common myths and facts about flu shots.