Flu Care

> ⚠️ Ask your doctor or health care professional. This information is AI generated for education and NOT medical advice.

Influenza (flu) is a contagious viral respiratory infection, typically more severe than a common cold, that spreads seasonally and can cause serious complications in some groups.

Common symptoms

Sudden onset of fever, chills, body aches, fatigue, headache, dry cough, and sore throat — generally more intense and sudden in onset than a common cold.

General self-care measures

• Rest and stay well hydrated.
• Use fever/pain-reducing medication as appropriate for age and health status.
• Stay home and away from others while contagious to limit spread.
• Consider an annual flu vaccination, particularly for higher-risk groups (see Vaccinations Assessment).

When to seek medical attention

• Difficulty breathing, chest pain, persistent dizziness, or confusion — seek emergency care; see Urgent Emergency Care.
• Symptoms that improve then suddenly worsen (can indicate a secondary infection, such as pneumonia).
• High-risk individuals (very young, elderly, pregnant, or with underlying health conditions) with flu symptoms, who may benefit from earlier antiviral treatment.
• Symptoms lasting longer than about a week without improvement.

Common pitfalls

• Confusing flu with a common cold — flu typically has a more sudden onset and more severe body aches/fatigue; treating flu like a minor cold can delay appropriate care, especially for high-risk individuals.
• Going to work or school while contagious — this spreads infection to others, including people at higher risk of complications.
• Skipping the annual flu vaccine due to a past mild case — flu strains vary year to year, and severity varies unpredictably; the vaccine is reformulated annually for that reason.

Learn more

• Vaccinations Assessment for immunization schedule guidance.
• Fever Care, Pneumonia Care for related conditions.
• Health Care for general navigation of health systems.