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Flu symptoms, medicines and tips to help you feel better

’Tis the season to feel crummy. When the flu strikes, consider this list of tips, products and remedies.

Written by: Cheryl Solimini

Young man with the flu lying on a couch under a blanket with a tissue in his hand.

Body aches, a nasty cough, that feverish feeling. These miseries herald the start of flu season, which can kick off as early as October and last past March.1 In the United States, it is estimated that about 30 to 40 million people catch the flu every year.2,3

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 ear infections, pneumonia and other complications.4

There is no cure for the flu. But plenty of actions — and products — can help you feel a little better. Some can ease the severity of its symptoms and vaccinations can lower your 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 can infect the nose, throat and sometimes the lungs. Flu is caused by the influenza virus, with subtypes that can change year by year, making it tough to predict which specific strains are going to hit in any particular season.5

These viruses are around us all year long, but in temperate regions such as the United States, the flu seems to peak in cold, dry months,6 when people are more likely to stay indoors — and might be in closer contact to an infected person.7

Highly contagious, the flu virus is easily spread through droplets sent into the air by coughing, sneezing or talking.8 If these droplets land on surfaces, you might also accidentally transfer the virus from your hands to your mouth, nose or eyes.9 You could also pick up the virus by kissing or sharing food, drink or utensils.10

The flu comes on much more quickly than the common cold. People may suddenly feel some or all of these symptoms:

  •  Fever or feeling feverish
  •  Chills
  • Cough (often dry)
  • Sore throat
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue11

Children may have other, more severe, symptoms. “They are more likely to run high fevers over several days,” says Captain 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 — that may be mistaken for other infections.”12

How long does the flu last?

Those sickly signs can start one to four days after exposure to a flu virus. They typically last anywhere from three to seven days.13 You can be contagious a day before you feel symptoms and up to seven days after becoming sick.14 People who already have a weakened immune system can pass the virus on for several weeks.15

Having a case at the start of the flu season doesn’t mean you are immune until next year. Because of the ever-changing cycle of influenza virus strains, you can catch the infection more than once in the coming months — even if you’ve been vaccinated (see below).16

Over-the-counter flu medicines

Pain and fever relievers. 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.17

Adults can try acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin if they’re not allergic.18,19 Children and teens 18 years and younger20 shouldn’t be given aspirin for the flu, however, because it has been reported to raise the risk of Reye’s syndrome — a rare but dangerous condition that affects the liver and brain.21

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

Cough suppressants. If you’re experiencing a cough, visit a health care provider. You might also try nonprescription cough remedies that contain dextromethorphan, which suppresses the cough reflex.22,23 Lozenges or anything that stimulates saliva may also help ease a sore throat.24

Products that contain dextromethorphan include CVS Health 12HR Cough DM, Robitussin Severe Cough, Flu + Sore Throat Relief and Delsym 12-Hour.

 

Flu medicines by prescription

“Once you do start to have flu symptoms, you should not hesitate to call your health care provider,” says Dr. Schaffner. “Your health care provider can prescribe antiviral drugs that, if they’re started early, can make your illness milder.”25

This is especially important for people who are at higher risk for complications from the flu, such as adults ages 65 and older.26,27 Pregnant people and children of any age can also receive early treatment with certain antiviral drugs.28

It is up to a health care provider to prescribe which medicine may be best.29 Please be aware that antibiotics, which treat conditions caused by bacteria, do not work for a virus-based illness like the flu.

The prescribed medications are most effective if started within 24 to 48 hours of the start of symptoms, says Dr. Schaffner.30,31 “Make sure you take them consistently,” cautions Dr. Patel. She adds that it’s important to make sure you take the full amount of the medication prescribed.32

The flu and children

People younger than 18 are more than twice as likely to develop a symptomatic flu infection than adults 65 and older.33 Severe complications, including ear infections and pneumonia, are common in children younger than 2 and could lead to a trip to the emergency room.34 So 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, to reduce these risks, explains Dr. Patel.35

Honey36,37,38 may help soothe a child’s nighttime cough — ensuring a good night’s sleep. Note that children under 12 months should not be given honey.39,40

To loosen mucus and improve hydration, children over 6 months old may benefit from plenty of fluids. For those who have moved on from breast milk or formula, try water, juice, soups or broths, even ice pops. Warm fluids may help to relieve throat pain. The moist, warm steam from a shower or bath might also help kids with flu symptoms.41

To make them more comfortable, children can also be given an over-the-counter pain reliever, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to help reduce sore throat pain and fever.42 But be sure to follow the dosing guidelines closely. Children younger than 3 months old shouldn’t be given acetaminophen before being evaluated by a health care professional; and children younger than 6 months old, children who are constantly vomiting and children who are dehydrated shouldn’t be given ibuprofen. Again, unless approved by a health care provider, never give aspirin to a child or teen with flu-like symptoms, particularly with a fever, due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome.43,44

These children’s medicines exist in liquid or chewable form. Remember to follow advice on the package and the instructions of a medical provider for the right dosage.

For children 2 to 11 years old: Children’s Tylenol Acetaminophen Pain + Fever Relief, CVS Health Children’s Acetaminophen Pain Reliever & Fever Reducer Chewable Tablets, Children’s Advil Junior Strength Ibuprofen Chewables and Children’s Motrin Ibuprofen.

Flu shots

The flu vaccine is the most important step to lower the odds of catching the virus or being hospitalized for a flu-related infection. The flu vaccine has been shown to reduce the risk of needing to see a health care professional by 40 percent to 60 percent.45 Remember that a new shot is needed each year to combat the specific subtypes of flu expected to be in circulation that year.46

The CDC recommends flu shots for everyone 6 months and older with rare exceptions.47 Even pregnant people can be vaccinated with an inactivated or recombinant vaccine, as the shot protects not only them but their developing baby.48 “There are also vaccines that have been formulated particularly to provide better protection for those people ages 65 and older,” says Dr. Schaffner. “So ask your pharmacist or your health care provider about them.”49

Just one dose per year is needed. “The best time to get vaccinated is September through very early November,” says Dr. Schaffner (though the CDC recommends getting it before the end of October).50 “If you get it too early, the vaccine will begin to wear off, and you want to make sure that you’re protected throughout the influenza season, which extends through March.” But even if you wait longer, he adds, it’s never too late in the flu season to get the shot.51 An exception for an earlier vaccination, if available, is those in their third trimester of pregnancy, explains Dr. Patel.52

Remember: It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop and provide protection against the flu. So continue to take precautions by limiting exposure to others who are sick, washing your hands and avoiding touching your face.53,54

Talk to your health care provider or visit cvs.com/immunizations/flu to learn more.

At-home flu remedies

If you do come down with the flu, these measures may help ease symptoms:

  • Stay home and rest. Reducing activity and getting more sleep gives the immune system energy to fight off the infection. Staying home also limits spreading the flu to others.55

  • Drink plenty of liquids. Try water, juice and, yes, chicken soup56 or other warm broths and liquids. These can moisten the throat and reduce coughing.57 More importantly, says Dr. Schaffner, “liquids will hydrate your bronchial tubes and help prevent the development of pneumonia, which is the great complication of flu.”

  • Use 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 congestion or a cough.58 However, any of these devices must be used according to directions and cleaned thoroughly after each use to prevent the growth of bacteria, 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.59,60 “But the simplest thing to offer some symptomatic relief is a warm shower,” says Dr. Schaffner. “When you’re in a very moist environment, that will help moisten your mucous membranes.”61

For nasal relief, you might consider a humidifier or vaporizer like Vicks Warm Steam Vaporizer or a neti pot like Neilmed Nasaflo Neti Pot.

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