{"id":16821,"date":"2022-12-21T14:00:08","date_gmt":"2022-12-21T20:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osfhealthcare.org\/blog\/?p=16821"},"modified":"2026-04-16T13:24:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T18:24:08","slug":"flu-treatment-tips-for-adults","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/flu-treatment-tips-for-adults\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Do for the Flu"},"content":{"rendered":"

We\u2019ve all been there. One moment you\u2019re at work or running errands; the next, you\u2019re achy all over, wrapped in blankets and sipping soup.<\/p>\n

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a> (CDC) , between 3% and 11% of the U.S. population gets the flu each season. Flu activity typically spikes between late October and April, though some seasons last longer.<\/p>\n

Brian Curtis, MD<\/a>, vice president, chief medical officer, OSF Medical Group, helps adults navigate flu season every year. Here\u2019s his updated guidance on how to know if you have the flu, how to treat it at home, how long flu symptoms last and which medications might help you recover faster.<\/p>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

How do you know if you have the flu?<\/h2>\n

Winter brings a mix of respiratory illnesses like colds, flu, RSV and COVID-19, that can all feel similar at first. So how do you know if it\u2019s the flu<\/a> or some other illness?<\/p>\n

Colds usually ease in gradually. You may start with a runny or stuffy nose, a scratchy throat and mild fatigue that slowly increases over a couple of days.<\/p>\n

The flu tends to hit fast and hard. Many people describe waking up suddenly achy, chilled and exhausted, often with a high fever, headache and a cough or sore throat.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen symptoms hit suddenly, flu becomes our top suspicion,\u201d said Dr. Curtis. \u201cColds generally don\u2019t knock people down that fast.\u201d<\/p>\n

If symptoms come on quickly and intensely, flu is the more likely culprit.<\/p>\n

Should I get a rapid flu test?<\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re unsure whether you have the flu, especially if symptoms are severe or you\u2019re at higher risk, your provider may recommend a rapid flu test. These can confirm influenza A or B and help determine whether you could benefit from antiviral medications.<\/p>\n

\u201cA rapid flu test isn\u2019t necessary for everyone, but it can be helpful if you\u2019re high risk or within that 48-hour window when antivirals work best,\u201d said Dr. Curtis.<\/p>\n

How long does the flu last?<\/h2>\n

Most adults recover from the flu in three to seven days, but fatigue and cough may linger for up to two weeks. If you\u2019re received your flu shot, you\u2019re more likely to have a shorter illness and milder symptoms.<\/p>\n

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention flu guidelines<\/a> say you can end isolation once you have been fever-free for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. After this time, it is still possible to spread the virus to others. Using precautions like wearing a mask around others for five days can help reduce the risk.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven when your fever breaks, it\u2019s normal to feel wiped out for a week or two,\u201d said Dr. Curtis. \u201cFatigue is often the last symptom to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

How to treat the flu at home<\/h2>\n

There\u2019s no magic cure for the flu, but the right flu treatment at home can help you get rid of it faster and keep you comfortable.<\/p>\n

If you have the flu, here is what Dr. Curtis recommends:<\/p>\n