How long does the flu last? Timeline and recovery

Symptoms of the flu generally appear within a few days of infection. They usually peak between days 2 and 4, and most people feel better after 5–7 days. However, symptoms can last longer in some cases, and a cough may persist for several weeks.

The flu can leave a person unable to work, perform household duties, or tend to children for several days. Some people develop severe symptoms and may need hospital care.

In this article, we discuss how long the flu usually lasts, a timeline of the common symptoms, and when to see a doctor for treatment.

For people who do not develop serious flu complications, symptoms usually last 3–7 days. Some people find that their symptoms get better and then worse again or that they are worse at certain times of the day, such as in the morning.

Although fever and the most severe symptoms typically resolve within a week, some people have low energy for up to 2 weeks, and it is possible to experience a cough for up to 8 weeks.

The flu shot reduces the risk of getting the flu but does not eliminate it. However, people who still get the flu after receiving a shot tend to have less severe symptoms that last for a shorter period.

Antiviral drugs, such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu), can also shorten the length of the flu and lower the risk of serious complications.

Infants and very young children, older adults, and people with respiratory diseases may have symptoms that last longer. These individuals are also more vulnerable to serious flu complications, such as pneumonia and breathing difficulties.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 200,000 people in the United States need to go to the hospital each year as a result of the flu.

Flu complications are unlikely to resolve on their own, and they can be a medical emergency. They may require a person to stay in the hospital. It can be weeks or even months before a person recovers from serious flu complications.

For more information and resources to help keep you and your loved ones healthy this flu season, visit our dedicated hub.

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Unlike the cold and other viruses, which present gradually, flu symptoms tend to appear suddenly. Within a few hours, a person may transition from feeling fine to having a fever and other symptoms.

A high fever occurs more commonly with the flu than with a cold, and it often appears before other symptoms.

The most common symptoms of the flu include:

• high fever
• chills
• muscle aches
• a headache
• weakness and extreme exhaustion
• a dry cough
• a sore throat
• vomiting
• congestion

The symptoms tend to peak between days 2 and 4. By day 5, some people begin to feel better. A few feel well enough to return to work or school.

However, it is important to stay at home for 24 hours after a fever breaks. If the fever only goes away with anti-fever medication, remain at home.

By day 7, most people feel significantly better, although some are still sick. It is not unusual for the flu to last longer than a week, so slow healing is not necessarily a bad sign. However, if the symptoms continue to get worse after a week, it may be best to see a doctor.

The best and most effective treatment for the flu is an antiviral flu drug. Taking this drug within 2 days of getting sick may shorten the duration of the flu and help a person avoid complications.

Before taking any anti-flu medication, a person can weigh up the risks and benefits with a doctor. 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.

The following strategies can help speed up the healing process:

• Resting and staying in bed.
• Avoiding going to work, school, or anywhere else, as this can spread the flu.
• Drinking plenty of fluids. If fever or vomiting occurs, try drinking an electrolyte drink to prevent dehydration.
• Using over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
• Washing the hands frequently to avoid spreading the infection to other members of the household.

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.

People should seek emergency medical treatment if:

• breathing becomes difficult or labored
• muscle pain is unbearable or severe enough to prevent walking
• a child develops a fever above 104°F
• when breathing, a child or infant makes loud sounds or pulls in the muscles around their ribs
• a person has seizures, loses consciousness, seems confused, or is unable to communicate effectively
• a baby under the age of 12 weeks develops a fever
• symptoms of chronic medical conditions get worse
• there is intense dizziness that does not go away after a few hours
• a person stops urinating or urinates very rarely
• symptoms get better but then return later and are worse

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.

Stay Home, Hydrate, Sleep and More

The best way to get over the flu fast is to rest and stay hydrated. But, there are a few additional things you can try to help yourself feel better. If you’re at risk of flu complications, you might also want to check in with your doctor.

The flu is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the influenza virus. Flu symptoms typically last about a week, but the most severe symptoms only occur for two to three days (though it might feel like an eternity). You might continue to experience fatigue, weakness, and a cough for another week after you recover.

Coming down with the flu can be downright miserable. Here are 12 tips to help you recover more quickly.

Your body needs time and energy to fight off the flu virus, which means that your daily routine should be put on the backburner.

You may be tempted to go grocery shopping or get ahead on laundry for the week, but you’d be doing yourself a disservice. Stay home from work or school, and put errands on hold until you start to feel better.

On top of helping you recover, staying home also prevents spreading the flu to other people in your community or workplace. The flu can be dangerous for older adults and small children, so it’s vital that you avoid contact with others while you’re contagious.

One symptom of the flu is a high fever, which can lead to sweating. You might also be dealing with bouts of vomiting or diarrhea. Your body needs plenty of fluids to replace lost liquids, and even more to fight off the infection.

Water is best, but you can also drink herbal teas or tea with honey. These can have a soothing effect on your symptoms while keeping you hydrated. Two things you should always avoid, though, are alcohol and caffeine.

Sleep is the best medicine for your body while fighting the flu. Watching TV curled up on the couch isn’t a bad idea, but you shouldn’t be binge-watching your favorite Netflix show all night long.

Go to bed earlier than usual and sleep in. You can also take a nap during the day to give your body more time to recover.

Rest and sleep also reduces your risk of serious flu complications, like pneumonia.

It can be difficult to sleep with a stuffy nose and cough. Try these tips to breathe easier and have a better night’s sleep:

• Use an extra pillow
  to prop up your head and ease sinus pressure.
• Sleep with a
  humidifier or vaporizer in the room.
• Take a hot
  bath or shower before bed.

You may be tempted to drown your sorrow in a bowl of ice cream and a bag of potato chips, but your body needs better nutrition to recover from the flu.

Fresh fruits and vegetables provide important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that strengthen your immune system as it fights off the virus.

You might not have much of an appetite, but it’s still important to eat regular meals to maintain your strength.

Dry air can make your symptoms worse. A vaporizer or humidifier adds moisture to the air and can help loosen up congestion.

There are many types of humidifiers and vaporizers available on the market. Examples include cool-mist humidifiers and steam vaporizers. These can be found easily for a reasonable price at your local big-box store, pharmacy, or online.

The cold and flu aisle of your local drug store is most likely packed with hundreds of different options. Some medications are used to deal with specific symptoms, like nasal congestion, while others treat many flu symptoms at once.

• Pain relievers help reduce a
  fever, headache, and body aches. Examples include ibuprofen (Advil,
  Motrin) and acetaminophen (Tylenol).
• Decongestants, like
  pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), help open your nasal passages and relieve
  pressure in your sinuses.
• Cough suppressants, such as
  dextromethorphan (Robitussin), can be used to soothe a dry cough.
• Expectorants helps loosen
  thick mucus and are useful for a cough that is wet and produces mucus.
• Antihistamines tend to have sedative
  effects that may help you sleep.

Be sure to read the product’s label to learn the correct dose for each type of medication and to make sure you’re not accidentally combining medications. Medications like DayQuil are both a pain reliever and a fever reducer, so you shouldn’t be taking another medication on top of that.

Children and teens should never take aspirin for the flu due to the risk of a serious condition called Reye’s syndrome.

Elderberry has been used for hundreds of years in the treatment of colds and the flu.

In one placebo-controlled study, people with the flu who consumed elderberry lozenges four times a day experienced a reduction in fever, headache, muscle aches, nasal congestion, and cough after 48 hours.

In another study, 60 people with flu-like symptoms who ingested 15 milliliters of elderberry syrup four times a day experienced improvement in their symptoms four days earlier than people who took a placebo.

A larger study in 312 air travelers found that 300 milligram capsules of elderberry extract taken three times per day reduced cold and flu symptoms and duration in those who ended up getting sick after their travels compared to a placebo group.

Elderberry capsules, lozenges, and syrups are available in stores or online. You shouldn’t eat raw elderberries, as they can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Remember, elderberry is a complementary therapy, so make sure you’re also treating the flu with OTC or prescription medication.

Honey is a fairly common natural remedy for soothing a sore throat or cough. Mixing honey with tea is a great way to stay hydrated while also treating your flu symptoms.

In one study, researchers found that a dose of honey was more effective at controlling a nighttime cough than common cough suppressants in children ages two to 18 years with upper respiratory tract infections.

One thing to note, though, is that you shouldn’t give honey to children who are younger than a year old.

Antiviral drugs are only available by prescription, so you must see a doctor first. These medications are typically reserved for people who are at high risk of developing complications from the flu.

These drugs prevent the virus from growing and replicating. They work best if you take them within 48 hours of having symptoms.

You may want to ask a doctor for a prescription antiviral if you:

• are under age 5 (age 2, in particular)
• are 18 or under and taking aspirin- or salicylate-containing medications
• are at least 65
• are pregnant or have given birth in the last two weeks
• have a chronic
  medical condition or you’re taking other medications that weaken your
  immune system
• live in a
  nursing home or long-term care facility
• are Native American (American Indian or Alaska Native)
• are extremely obese, with a body mass index (BMI) of at least 40

The antiviral medication most commonly prescribed is oseltamivir (Tamiflu). In October 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza), a new antiviral for people ages 12 and older.

Taking antiviral medications within two days of the onset of symptoms may reduce both the duration of the flu by about one day and the severity of symptoms.

The annual flu vaccine is produced based on scientists’ predictions of which flu strain will dominate the next flu season. Sometimes, though, they get it wrong. Getting a flu shot after you’ve already had the flu can protect you from other strains of the virus.

You might think it’s too late or that you can’t get the flu again in one season, but it’s still a possibility. So, it’s a good idea to protect yourself by getting vaccinated.

We often forget how much our emotions and attitudes affect how we feel physically. While you may not be able to unclog your stuffy nose or lower your fever with positive thoughts, maintaining a positive attitude during your illness may help in your overall recovery.

The best thing you can do to recover from the flu is allow yourself to sleep, rest, and drink lots of fluids. If you catch your flu symptoms early, and you’re at risk of serious complications, you can try an antiviral medication to help reduce the duration of your symptoms.

Most flu symptoms resolve within one to two weeks. If your flu symptoms start to get better and then get rapidly worse, or don’t subside after two weeks, contact your doctor.

Watch out for the flu! – Clinic “Family Doctor”.

Influenza is an acute viral infection that spreads easily from person to person. The influenza virus circulates throughout the world and can affect anyone at any age. Annual seasonal epidemics occur in the winter period. Influenza is a serious threat to human life and health, as it can lead to serious complications, even death.

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent infection. But what to do if you failed to get vaccinated on time, you were left alone with this insidious virus and fell ill?

You can suspect that you have the flu by the following symptoms: sudden onset of a high temperature (39-40 ° C), cough (usually dry), severe headache, severe muscle and joint pain, severe malaise, sore throat and runny nose.

Antiviral drugs are available to treat influenza, but influenza viruses can develop drug resistance. It is very important to remember that antibiotics do not kill viruses, and their appointment in the early days of the disease is not justified, since antibiotics kill a bacterial infection and do not act on a viral one. Moreover, if prescribed unreasonably, they can cause side effects. The doctor may prescribe an additional antibacterial drug for you on the 3rd-5th day of a viral infection, when a bacterial infection joins the viral infection.

In order to avoid complications, it is very important to start the correct treatment of influenza in time. Remember that the doctor must prescribe the treatment! Self-treatment, without the supervision of a doctor, can be not only ineffective, but also dangerous to your health.

Considering the severe course of the disease, the frequent development of complications and the risk of infecting others, if you feel flu symptoms, call a doctor at home! The doctor in a calm, homely atmosphere will examine you, prescribe the necessary examination and reasonable drug therapy.

The recovery period for influenza lasts 1-2 weeks. Many convalescents experience asthenia, which lasts from a few days to 2-3 weeks and is manifested by fatigue, irritability, sleep disturbance and sweating. Subfebrile body temperature up to 37.0-37.2 ° C and weakness may persist. All of these symptoms usually resolve on their own within 1 month.

Publications of our doctors on FLU and SARS

• Protecting ourselves from influenza and SARS
• Acute respiratory diseases
• Treatment of SARS and influenza
• Treatment and prevention of influenza in children
• Influenza shot
• Measures to prevent influenza and SARS

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MYTHS AND FACTS ABOUT FLU

1. THE FLU CANNOT BE WITHOUT A HIGH TEMPERATURE!

The hallmark of influenza is a temperature of 38.5 – 39.0°C from the first hours of illness. If you don’t, it’s most likely an infection caused by another virus.

2. THE FLU DOES NOT HAVE A RINSE.

In the first days of the illness, the nose is often stuffy, which is associated with intoxication of the body and swelling of infected tissues, but there is no runny nose. Only for 3-4 days a classic runny nose may appear, the cause of which is not a virus, but bacteria that have taken advantage of a temporary weakening of your immunity.

3. DURING SNEEZING AND COUGHING, PARTICLES OF SALIVA WITH THE INFLUENZA VIRUS ARE EXPLODED AT A SPEED OF 16 km/h.

The myth that the infection spreads faster – 180 km / h, has not been scientifically confirmed. The results of the work were published in the journal PLOS ONE.

4. THE FLU VIRUS IS NOT AFRAID OF THE FROST.

At temperatures around zero, the virus persists for up to a month. That is why the peak of the incidence falls on the thaw. But ordinary soap kills the virus, drying and temperatures above 70 C also act on the flu virus.

5. WHEN RECEIVING A SALARY IN PAPER BILLS OR WITHDRAWING MONEY FROM A PLASTIC CARD, YOU CAN GET THE FLU.

Scientists have found that banknotes are an excellent breeding ground for infection. The influenza virus remains on them for up to 2 weeks. Therefore, money in some countries is printed on paper with antiseptic properties. In Japan, money is washed at 200 degrees in a special washing machine.

6. THE BEST FLU REMEDY FOR A BABY IS MOTHER’S MILK.

If a breastfeeding woman has the flu, the baby should not be weaned. Antibodies from mother’s milk are transferred to the baby during feeding. Therefore, the baby does not become infected with the flu during feeding.

7. FEVER PILLS HELP FLU TO SPREAD THROUGH THE BODY.

After all, normal or slightly elevated body temperature is a paradise for the virus. With satisfactory health, it is recommended for adults to take antipyretics only at a temperature above 39 ° C, for children – 38.5 ° C.

8. ASPIRIN FOR FLU CAN CAUSE DEATH, ESPECIALLY IN CHILDREN.

The combination of a viral infection and acetylsalicylic acid, which is part of aspirin and some other drugs, may develop a serious condition – Reye’s syndrome.

9. BEST INCUBATOR FOR “BACTERIOLOGICAL WEAPONS” – DOMESTIC PIG.

This animal suffers from both swine and bird flu, as well as all kinds of “human” flu. Several different viruses, once in such an “incubator”, can exchange signs, mutate. As a result, avian influenza can become contagious through human-to-human transmission.

10. THE INTERNET “PREDICTS” THE FLU EPIDEMIC.

In recent years, the Internet has become so firmly established in everyday life that biologists began to predict the coming influenza epidemic and the speed of its spread in the world by the number of queries about influenza from users of the worldwide network.

11. IT IS POSSIBLE TO TREAT FLU: THE ILLNESS IS NOT DANGEROUS AND WILL GO BY ITSELF.

Influenza is very dangerous. Influenza can be fatal, especially in young children and the elderly. In addition, the disease can leave behind various complications. Most often, the flu has a detrimental effect on the cardiovascular system, reducing life expectancy by several years.

The ironic saying “flu lasts a week without treatment, and seven days with treatment” contains some truth. But only not if the treatment is started on time. Timely treatment will not only shorten the duration of the disease, but also reduce the likelihood of complications.

12. CAN I TREAT FLU WITH ANTIBIOTICS?

Antibiotics only work on bacteria. Viruses have nothing to do with bacteria, therefore it is useless to treat viral diseases, including influenza, with antibiotics. Sometimes, against the background of a weakened immune system, a secondary bacterial infection can join a viral infection. And only in such a situation, a doctor (and only a doctor!) Can prescribe a course of antibiotics.

13. TO REDUCE THE FLU, IT IS ENOUGH TO TAKE VITAMINS AND EAT MORE ONIONS, GARLIC, CAUCAURAUT AND LEMONS.

Vitamin prophylaxis is of a general strengthening nature and does not directly affect the virus. The optimal solution would be comprehensive prevention, which includes hardening, immunostimulating drugs, vaccination and, of course, vitamins.

14. FLU SHOCKS DO NOT GUARANTEE 100%.

The risk of getting influenza after vaccination remains, but is significantly reduced. On average, vaccination provides 80-90% protection.

15. CAN FLU SHOCKS CAUSE ILLNESS?

No vaccine causes typical disease. In the process of vaccination, either a weakened virus or parts of it are introduced into the body. The virus contained in the vaccine cannot cause disease, but it can stimulate the body to produce antibodies. Therefore, when a “wild” virus enters the body, it does not take time to produce antibodies – they are already there after vaccination. Antibodies bind to the virus and thus prevent infection of the cell and reproduction of the virus. Thanks to this, the disease is prevented even before its onset. Modern vaccines are easily tolerated, and there are no symptoms of the disease after vaccination. Only a few people may experience redness at the injection site or a slight fever. This is perhaps the most unpleasant consequences of the introduction of the vaccine.

16. FLU VIRUSES CONSTANTLY MUTATE. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PREDICT WHICH OF THEM WILL BE IN FASHION AND CREATE A VACCINE PROTECTING EXACTLY FROM IT?

The World Health Organization constantly investigates the movement of viruses around the world and, based on these studies, makes proposals to vaccine developers. Even if the forecast was not 100% correct, the vaccine still works, since most influenza viruses have common antibodies.

17. IS IT LATE AFTER THE EPIDEMIC STARTS?

The best time to get vaccinated against influenza is in autumn, from September to November.