Flu symptoms, medications and tips to help feel better

Body aches, a nonproductive cough, that feverish feeling — these miseries could herald the start of flu season, which kicks off in the fall and winter months, though the virus can circulate year-round. During the 2024 to 2025 flu season, it was estimated that there were between 47 million and 82 million flu illnesses in the U.S.

Most seasonal flu cases will go away in a few days to less than two weeks. But for some people, the illness can be more serious, causing pneumonia and other complications.

There is no cure for the flu. But plenty of actions and recommendations can help people suffering from the flu feel a little better. Some can ease the severity of its symptoms, and vaccinations can lower people’s chances of catching it in the first place. Read on to learn more about influenza and how to help alleviate flu symptoms.

In this article:

What is the flu?

Influenza, or flu, is a respiratory illness. That means it predominantly infects the nose and throat, and sometimes the lungs. The flu is caused by the influenza virus, which has subtypes that constantly change.

In temperate regions such as the U.S., flu season peaks in cold, dry months when people are more likely to be staying indoors. This is when they might be in closer contact with an infected person.

The flu virus is spread through droplets sent into the air by coughing, sneezing or talking. If these droplets land on surfaces, a person might also accidentally transfer the virus from their hands to their mouth, nose or eyes. They could also pick up the virus by kissing or sharing food, drink or utensils.

The flu is generally more severe than the common cold. People may suddenly feel some or all these symptoms:

• Chills
• Cough
• Fatigue
• Fever or feeling feverish
• Headaches
• Muscle or body aches
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sore throat

Children may “run high fevers over several days,” says Manisha Patel, MD, MS, MBA, chief medical officer at the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “They also sometimes have abdominal symptoms, vomiting or stomachaches, which may be mistaken for other infections.”

Call a health care provider (like a pediatrician) if a child has a fever that lasts for more than 72 hours. Any fever in a child younger than 12 weeks requires immediate evaluation.

How is the flu diagnosed?

The flu is often a clinical diagnosis made by a health care professional, based on signs, symptoms and other factors, such as the time of the year. However, a case of the flu can only be confirmed by a health care provider with a laboratory test that tests for the influenza virus. Testing may be necessary in some cases — for example, if other viral infections (like COVID-19) need to be ruled out or for patients who are very sick.

How long does the flu last?

Flu signs can start one to four days after exposure to a flu virus. They typically last anywhere from three to seven days, but they can also last longer. Someone can be contagious a day before they feel symptoms and up to seven days after they become sick. People who already have a weakened immune system can pass the virus on for several weeks.

Having the flu at the start of the flu season doesn’t mean someone is immune until the next year. Because of the ever-changing cycle of influenza virus strains, people can catch the infection more than once, even if they have been vaccinated.

Flu shots

The best way to treat the flu is to avoid it in the first place. The flu vaccine is the most important step to best protect against the flu virus or being hospitalized for a flu-related complication. A vaccination is recommended each year as different strains of the virus circulate every year.

Pregnant people can be vaccinated with an inactivated or recombinant vaccine, as the vaccine protects not only them but their developing baby from flu-related complications for several months after birth. “There are also vaccines that have been formulated particularly to provide better protection for those people age 65 and older,” says Dr. Schaffner. “Ask a pharmacist or health care provider about them.”

It is recommended that everyone age 6 months and older gets vaccinated before flu season starts each year. However, it is still beneficial to receive the flu vaccine later in the flu season if the virus is still circulating.

An exception for an earlier vaccination (if it is available) is people in their third trimester of pregnancy, explains Dr. Patel. If someone is pregnant, they should talk to their health care provider about the timing of their flu vaccine. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) currently recommends vaccinating early in the season, regardless of the trimester of pregnancy.

It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop and provide protection against the flu. People should continue to take precautions by limiting exposure to others who are sick, washing their hands and avoiding touching their face.

People can learn more about flu vaccines by consulting with a health care provider. They can also get flu vaccine information online.

Over-the-counter (OTC) flu medications

When people get the flu, certain pain relievers may help lower the fever and soothe the aches, explains William Schaffner, MD, professor of infectious diseases at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville and past medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.

Adults can try acetaminophen, but it’s recommended that they follow package instructions. Children and teens age 18 and younger shouldn’t be given aspirin for the flu. It’s been reported to raise the risk of Reye’s syndrome, a rare but dangerous condition that affects the liver and brain.

(Acetaminophen products include Tylenol. Ibuprofen is the main ingredient of Advil and Motrin. Aleve contains naproxen.)

If someone is experiencing a cough, they should visit a health care provider. Their health care provider might recommend nonprescription cough medications that contain dextromethorphan, which suppresses the cough reflex, or cough drops and lozenges, which may also help ease a sore throat.

Flu medications by prescription

“Once someone starts to have flu symptoms, they should not hesitate to call their health care provider,” says Dr. Schaffner. “Their health care provider can prescribe antiviral medications that, if they’re started early, can make their illness milder.”

Prompt treatment is recommended for those age 65 and older since they are at a higher risk for complications. Pregnant people and children of any age can also receive early treatment with certain antiviral drugs. It is up to a health care provider to decide which medications may be best.

The prescribed medications are most effective if started within 24 to 48 hours of the start of symptoms, says Dr. Schaffner.

“Make sure to take them consistently,” cautions Dr. Patel. She adds that it’s also important to make sure to take the full amount of the medication prescribed.

The flu and children

People younger than age 18 are more than twice as likely to develop a symptomatic flu infection than adults age 65 and older. Complications, including ear infections and pneumonia, can occur in children. It’s best to speak with a child’s health care provider or pharmacist about scheduling a flu vaccine, or obtaining a prescription for an influenza antiviral if the child already has symptoms, in order to reduce these risks, explains Dr. Patel.

Honey may help soothe a child's nighttime cough, which may help them get a better night's sleep. Keep in mind that honey should never be given to infants under the age of 12 months, due to the risk of infant botulism.

To make them more comfortable, children can also be given an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to help reduce sore throat pain and fever. Ask a health care provider about which OTC medication may be best and what dose a child needs. All parents should speak to their child's health care provider before giving these medications to a child who is sick.

Cough and cold medication for children can exist in liquid or chewable form. Remember to follow advice on the package and the instructions of a health care provider for the right dosage and when to take the medication.

At-home flu recommendations

If someone does come down with the flu, these measures may help ease symptoms:

• Staying home and resting. Reducing activity and getting more sleep can give the immune system energy to fight off the infection. Staying home also limits spreading the flu to others.
• Drinking plenty of liquids. Dr. Schaffner says, “Liquids will hydrate bronchial tubes and help prevent the development of pneumonia, which is the great complication of flu.”
• Using a humidifier or nasal irrigation device. Nasal irrigation devices, such as a neti pot, bulb syringe or squeeze bottle, may also help congestion. A clean humidifier or cool mist vaporizer may also help relieve a stuffy nose. However, these devices must be used according to directions and cleaned thoroughly after each use to prevent the growth of bacteria and other much more serious (but rare) infections like Naegleria fowleri, warns Dr. Schaffner.

Only use them with distilled or sterile water (which can be purchased in grocery stores or drugstores) or previously boiled and cooled tap water. “But the simplest thing to offer some symptomatic relief is a warm shower,” says Dr. Schaffner. “When someone is in a very moist environment, that will help moisten their mucous membranes.”

For nasal relief, consider a humidifier. There are also other options that can help support relief for sinus and nasal congestion symptoms.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult your health care provider before taking any vitamins or supplements and prior to beginning or changing any health care practices.