‘Tis the season to catch the flu! And, if you do get sick, you may be wondering: how long does the flu last?
We’ve got this information and more with the flu tips you need – so grab that box of tissues for your stuffy nose and read on.
The flu, which comes on suddenly, can cause mild to severe illness throughout the fall and winter seasons. Caused by the influenza virus, this respiratory illness is spread from person to person via droplets in the air or even by touching a contaminated surface and then touching your face. Because it is a respiratory illness, it typically impacts a person’s nose, throat and lungs.
If you catch the flu, you typically notice symptoms within a few days of exposure.
Symptoms of the flu include:
- Fever and body aches
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue or tiredness
- Vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children than adults)
For those individuals with a higher risk for complications from the flu – such as the elderly, young children and those with weakened immune systems – they might experience more severe symptoms. Sometimes these symptoms can be so severe that they are life-threatening. So, if you feel sick, this is why it is important to stay home and away from others – to help keep others safe!
If you are sick with the flu, there are steps you can take to support your immune system.
- First, get plenty of rest: Sleep allows your body to fight off illnesses more effectively.
- Second, drink liquids: Water and electrolytes are fantastic, but also don’t forget to eat soups and broths. This also means avoiding drinks that can dehydrate you while you are sick, like coffee and alcohol.
- Third, taking medications to help ease your symptoms: Do you have a high fever? Or are your body aches unbearable? Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) are commonly used pain relievers that can help you feel more comfortable so that your body is actually able to rest.
If you are at high risk for flu complications or are very sick and concerned about your illness, contact your health care provider right away. They may want to have you come in for a physical examination and prescribe you an antiviral medication.
How long does the flu last?
The flu can last for different durations depending on the individual and the severity of their illness. For most people, they are able to recover from the flu within seven to 10 days. However, people can also experience lingering symptoms for up to two weeks or longer. If your flu symptoms are worsening and not improving after seven days, it is important to seek medical attention right away.
How we can help
At Bon Secours, we have many primary care providers available to help you navigate your flu symptoms. They can help you understand what to expect when it comes to flu-related questions, including how long the flu lasts.
Also, if you want to get ahead of the flu virus, get your annual flu vaccine! It helps your body develop antibodies that protect against the most common flu strains each season. It reduces the risk of flu illness, and if you do get the flu, it reduces the severity of symptoms and the chance of complications.
Learn about the primary care services we offer at Bon Secours.
