The flu (influenza) is a serious virus that causes millions of illnesses each year. Symptoms include sneezing, muscle aches, and a fever. Most cases of the flu are mild enough to treat yourself at home without prescription medications.
In a typical year, flu season occurs from fall to early spring — and with it comes sniffling, sneezing, coughing, fatigue, and all the familiar trappings of the flu.
The severity of the illness varies by person.
Flu shots are vital in helping to protect the population, and especially vulnerable groups, from getting the flu.
Influenza (the flu) is a common, infectious virus spread by droplets that enter another person’s body. From there, the virus takes hold and begins to develop.
Each year, the flu spreads across the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that around
Many strains of the flu exist. Doctors and researchers determine which strains of the virus will be most common each year. Those strains are then used to produce vaccines. A flu vaccine is one of the easiest and most effective ways to prevent the flu.
When is flu season?
In the United States, the main flu season stretches from October to March. Cases of the flu peak between December and February, according to the
You’re more likely to get sick during the fall and winter months. This is because you’re spending more time in close quarters with other people and are also exposed to lots of different illnesses.
Here are some of the common symptoms of the flu:
- Fever: Most flu-related fevers range from a low grade fever of around 100°F (37.8°C) to as high as 104°F (40°C) in adults. Although alarming, it’s not uncommon for young children to have higher fevers than adults. If you suspect your child has the flu, it’s important to speak with a doctor.
- Cough: A dry, persistent cough is common with the flu. It may worsen, becoming uncomfortable and painful.
- Muscle aches: Flu-related muscle pains are most common in your neck, back, arms, and legs. They can often be severe, making it difficult to move even when trying to perform basic tasks.
- Headache: Your first symptom of the flu may be a severe headache, which may also cause light and sound sensitivity.
- Fatigue: Feeling tired is a not-so-obvious symptom of the flu. Feeling generally unwell can be a sign of many conditions. These feelings of tiredness and fatigue may come on fast and be difficult to overcome.
Children and adults share many of the same symptoms. Some people may experience more symptoms that others. Each person will be different.
The flu is a virus that’s spread in several ways. First, you can contract the virus from a person near you who has the flu and sneezes, coughs, or talks. If someone with the virus touched a common surface, like a door handle or a keyboard, and you touch the same surface, you could get the virus.
Once you have the virus on your hand, it can enter your body if you touch your mouth, eyes, or nose.
If you have the flu, you’re contagious — meaning you can pass the flu to others.
Many people can spread the virus as early as a day before they show symptoms. In other words, you may be transmitting the virus before you even realize that you’re sick.
You may still be spreading the virus
If you have the flu or any flu symptoms, stay home. Do your part to prevent the spread of the virus to other people.
The symptoms of COVID-19, the flu, and a cold have some overlap but are often different.
As a rule, flu and COVID-19 symptoms are more severe than cold symptoms. Your symptoms can help you tell the difference between them.
| Flu | Cold | COVID-19 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| runny or stuffy nose | X | X | X |
| body aches | X | X | X |
| general fatigue | X | X | X |
| fever | X | X | X |
| cough | X | X | X |
| sneezing | X | X | |
| sinusitis | X | ||
| ear infections | X | ||
| tiredness | X | X | |
| shortness of breath | X | ||
| congestion | X |
Most people recover from the flu in a
It’s important to stay home from school or work until your symptoms are improving and you’ve been free of fever for
Most cases of the flu are mild enough that you can treat yourself at home without prescription medications.
It’s important you stay home and avoid contact with other people when you first notice flu symptoms.
You should also:
- Drink plenty of fluids. This includes water, soup, and low-sugar flavored drinks.
- Treat symptoms such as headache and fever with OTC medications.
- Wash your hands to prevent spreading the virus to other surfaces or to other people in your house.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with tissues. Immediately dispose of those tissues.
- Wear a face covering when in public.
Options for over-the-counter (OTC) flu medication
OTC medications can help relieve symptoms of the flu, but they won’t treat it. If you have the flu and are looking for symptom relief, consider these medications:
- Decongestants. Nasal decongestants help break up mucus in your sinuses, which helps to clear your nose. Decongestants come in several forms, including nasal decongestants that are inhaled and oral (pill) decongestants.
- Cough suppressants. Coughing, especially at night, is a common flu symptom. OTC cough medications can ease or suppress your cough reflex. Cough drops, or lozenges can soothe a sore throat and suppress coughing.
- Expectorants. This type of medication may help you cough up phlegm if you have a lot of mucus or congestion in your chest.
OTC treatments like NyQuil often contain several of these types of drugs in one pill.
If you take one of these combination medications, avoid taking other medications with it. This ensures that you don’t take too much of any one type of drug.
Is there prescription medication for the flu?
Medications called antiviral drugs
Antiviral medications can help ease flu symptoms. They can also shorten the length of the flu by a day or two.
Taking antiviral medications may help if you get the flu, but these medications also have side effects. Talk with a doctor to understand the risks.
Are there natural flu remedies?
If left untreated, a typical case of the flu often goes away in about 1 week. During that time, some natural flu remedies may be helpful for easing symptoms alongside medication. For instance, for a sore throat or cough, some options include:
It is important to remember that honey should not be given to children under 12 months due to the risk of botulism.
Of course, rest is also an important part of recovering from the flu, or any other type of virus.
Your body is fighting hard to get well. It’s wise for you to stop, rest, and get more sleep so your immune system can fight back against the virus.
The best and most efficient way to avoid the flu and prevent spreading it is to get a flu vaccination.
The flu vaccine is available in the following forms:
- injectable shot
- high-dose injectable shot (for those over age 65)
- intradermal shot
- nasal spray
The more people that get vaccinated against the flu, the less the flu can spread. It also helps with herd immunity, helping to protect those who can’t get the vaccine for medical reasons.
Vaccination can also help lessen the severity of the illness if you do end up getting the flu.
How does the flu shot work?
To make the vaccine, scientists select the strains of the flu virus that research suggests will be the most common in the coming flu season. Millions of vaccines with those strains are produced and distributed.
Once you receive the vaccine, your body begins producing antibodies against those strains of the virus. These antibodies provide protection against the virus.
If you come into contact with the flu virus at a later point, you can avoid contracting it.
You may get sick if you end up coming into contact with a different strain of the virus. But the symptoms will be less severe because you had the vaccination.
Who should get the flu shot?
Doctors recommend that everyone over the age of
- pregnant people
- children under age 5
- people ages 18 and under who receive aspirin therapy
- people over age 65
- people whose body mass index is 40 or higher
- anyone working or living in a nursing home or chronic care facility
- caregivers to any of the above
- anyone with chronic medical conditions
Most doctors also recommend that everyone gets their flu vaccine by the end of October. This way your body has time to develop the right antibodies before flu season kicks into gear.
Even if you don’t get the flu shot by October 31, it’s not too late. Even if it’s well into flu season, it’s always helpful to get the flu shot.
Side effects of the flu shot
Many people report avoiding the flu vaccine each year for fear that it will make them sick. It’s important to understand that the flu vaccine
Like other shots, you may experience some side effects from the flu shot. These side effects are often mild and only last a short period of time.
The most common side effects of the flu shot include:
- soreness around the injection site
- low-grade fever in the days immediately following the injection
- mild aches and stiffness
Any side effects that do occur often last only a day or two. Many people won’t experience any side effects at all.
Flu shot for kids: What you should know
Each year,
Children who get the flu are often at a higher risk than adults who get sick from the flu. You should see a doctor right away if your child has been exposed to the flu or shows flu symptoms.
Vaccinating children each year is the
Children under 6 months of age are too young for a flu vaccine. To protect them, make sure the people around them get vaccinated. This includes family members and care givers.
Where can I get a flu shot?
Most doctors’ offices carry the vaccine. You may also get the vaccine at:
- pharmacies
- walk-in medical clinics
- county or city health departments
Some employers and schools also offer flu shot clinics on site.
If you can’t find a flu shot provider, use a flu shot locator like vaccines.gov. This website lists businesses, phone numbers, and hours of operation.
If symptoms become worse, you should speak with a doctor. They may prescribe an antiviral medication. The sooner you take this medication, the more effective it is.
If you’re at high risk for flu-related complications, speak with a doctor as soon as symptoms appear. They may test for the flu virus right away. They may also prescribe an antiviral medication to prevent complications.
Influenza (the flu) is a common, infectious virus spread by droplets that enter another person’s body. From there, the virus takes hold and begins to develop.
Symptoms typically include sneezing, muscle aches, and a fever.
Most cases of the flu are mild enough to treat yourself at home with plenty of rest and OTC medications.
Prescription medications are available and are typically given to those with severe symptoms or those at risk of being hospitalized from the flu.
Getting a flu vaccination is the best and most efficient way to avoid the flu and prevent its spread. It can also help reduce the severity of the illness if you end up getting the flu.
