For most people, flu symptoms can be relieved with home remedies or over-the-counter medications. The symptoms usually last between three and seven days (although coughing can linger much longer). In general, antivirals are not recommended, but if you are in a high-risk group, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication to help prevent complications.
Home Remedies and Lifestyle
If you develop flu symptoms, it’s best for you to stay home and away from other people unless they are providing you medical care until you have not had a fever for more than 24 hours (without using a fever-reducing medication).
Adults age 65 and overChildren under age 5 (especially under age 2)Children with neurological conditionsPregnant womenPeople who have asthma, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, chronic lung disease, liver disorders, kidney disorders, HIV/AIDS, or blood disordersPeople who have disabilities
Unless you have signs of a medical emergency, you do not need to go to the emergency room when you have the flu. If you must be around other people, wear a face mask to protect others.
What to do at home:
You need to rest when you have influenza. You should avoid smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke, which can make your symptoms worse. Water and clear liquids are recommended to help prevent dehydration. You should avoid alcoholic beverages when you have the flu. For sore throat, a warm saltwater gargle or lozenges may help provide relief.
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medications
Over-the-counter medications can relieve some symptoms of influenza, but they will not cure it or shorten its course.
For fever, body aches, sore throat, or headache, you can use Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen). Do not use aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) for children and teenagers because it can lead to Reye’s syndrome, which is a serious complication.
Influenza often produces a runny nose, congestion, and cough. Many OTC products are formulated to relieve these symptoms.
They include:
Antihistamines may help relieve a runny nose. They include Benadryl (diphenhydramine), Claritin (loratadine), Allegra (fexofenadine), Zyrtec (cetirizine), and Xyzal (levocetirizine). Decongestants can help with a stuffed-up nose or chest. They include Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) and phenylephrine. Expectorants that include guaifenesin can help loosen mucus. These include products such as Robitussin, Mucinex, and multi-symptom formulas Cough suppressants can help reduce your coughing. They include dextromethorphan, which should not be given to children under age 4 (consult your healthcare provider for a child age 4 to 11).
Antihistamines or decongestants can also be used to help relieve a persistent cough.
Children may also have vomiting and diarrhea with influenza but should avoid products like Pepto-Bismol that contain aspirin-like salicylates. Likewise, over-the-counter cough and cold medications are not recommended for children under age 4 unless directed by your healthcare provider.
One common ingredient that you want to watch for specifically is Tylenol (acetaminophen), which is included in many multi-symptom cold and flu medications. You may not realize you are taking more than a safe dose, which is no more than 4 grams (g) per day for most people. If you have liver problems, your doctor may recommend a lower maximum dose. Taking too much acetaminophen may lead to liver failure and can be life-threatening.
Only take medications that treat the symptoms you have. Taking a multi-symptom medication that treats symptoms you don’t have can cause unnecessary side effects and may sometimes be dangerous. Avoid taking multiple medications that contain the same or similar ingredients because this can lead to an overdose.
Prescriptions
Most healthy people will not need a prescription for treating influenza, but your healthcare provider is the best judge as to whether one is recommended given your health history, age, and other factors.
If antiviral medications are recommended, they are most effective when started within the first 48 hours of the onset of flu symptoms.
Antiviral medications are different from antibiotics, and they specifically work against the influenza virus to shorten the course of illness, make it milder, and prevent complications.
The FDA-approved antiviral medications for treating influenza are:
Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate): Available as a pill or liquid suspension Relenza (zanamivir): A powder administered with an inhaler; not recommended for people who have asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Rapivab (peramivir): An intravenous medication Xofluza (baloxavir marboxil): A pill or suspension; not recommended for those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a complicated illness
If you or your child are experiencing difficulty breathing, chest pain, confusion, sudden dizziness, or severe lethargy, you should seek immediate medical attention.
Even if you’re not in a high-risk group, if you develop flu complications such as bronchitis or pneumonia, contact your healthcare provider.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health notes that no complementary health approach has been shown to be helpful for treating influenza, making it milder, or shortening its course.
For relief of symptoms, using a neti pot or other method of saline nasal irrigation may help with congestion. Be sure to use distilled, sterile, or previously-boiled water to make the saline solution.
Honey may help relieve nighttime cough in children. However, it should never be given to children under age 1 due to the risk of botulism.
A Word From Verywell
Getting some rest is the most important thing to do when you have the flu. There are also treatments that can help you feel more comfortable and help prevent complications. Most schools have policies that require students to stay home for at least 24 hours after a fever has subsided without the use of fever-reducing medications.
Although it may not be a set rule for every workplace, it’s a good guideline to follow for adults as well: Just because your fever is gone for a few hours doesn’t mean you are better and healthy enough to be at work. Give yourself time to recover.
Rapivab (peramivir), given intravenouslyRelenza (zanamivir), inhaled into the mouthTamiflu (oseltamivir), taken by mouthXofluza (baloxavir marboxil), taken by mouth
OTC options include:
Antihistamines like Benadryl (diphenhydramine)Cough suppressants containing dextromethorphanDecongestants containing phenylephrineExpectorants containing guaifenesinPain relievers like Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen)
Difficulty breathingPersistent pain or pressure in the chest or abdomenPersistent dizziness or confusionInability to urinateChanges in consciousnessSevere weaknessSevere muscle painFever or cough that improves but then worsensWorsening of a chronic medical conditionSeizures
