If You're Sick
It is very difficult to distinguish the flu from other infections on the basis of symptoms alone. A doctor's exam may be needed to tell whether you have developed the flu or a complication of the flu. There are tests that can determine if you have the flu as long you are tested within the first 2 or 3 days of illness.
If you develop flu-like symptoms and are concerned about your illness, especially if you are at high risk for complications of the flu, you should consult your health-care provider. Those at high risk for complications include:
If you get sick and you are at high risk for complications, you can seek treatment in the following ways:
Your doctor may recommend use of an antiviral medication to help treat the flu. Four antiviral drugs (amantadine, rimantadine, zanamavir, and oseltamivir) are approved for treatment of the flu. These are prescription medications, and a doctor should be consulted before the drugs are used. Antiviral treatment lasts for 5 days and must be started within 2 days of illness. Therefore, if you get flu-like symptoms, seek medical care early.
If you get the flu, get plenty of rest, drink a lot of liquids, and avoid using alcohol and tobacco. Also, you can take medications such as acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol®) to relieve the fever and muscle aches associated with the flu. Never give aspirin to children or teenagers who have flu-like symptoms, particularly fever.
If you develop flu-like symptoms and are concerned about your illness, especially if you are at high risk for complications of the flu, you should consult your health-care provider. Those at high risk for complications include:
- People 65 years or older
- People with chronic medical conditions
- Pregnant women
- Young children
Where to Go
If you get sick and you are at high risk for complications, you can seek treatment in the following ways:
- Go to your doctor's office. Doctors' offices are usually open during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sometimes getting an appointment with your doctor can take several days. If you do not need immediate medical attention, you should make an appointment to see your doctor.
- Go to urgent care. Urgent care centers usually open early, close late, and have weekend hours. You do not need an appointment to seek medical care at an urgent care center. If your illness is not life-threatening, but you need immediate medical attention, you should go to an urgent care center.
- Go to the emergency room. Emergency departments are located at hospitals and are open every day, 24 hours a day. You do not need an appointment to seek medical care at an emergency department. If your illness or injury is life-threatening, you should go to the emergency room.
Antiviral Medications
Your doctor may recommend use of an antiviral medication to help treat the flu. Four antiviral drugs (amantadine, rimantadine, zanamavir, and oseltamivir) are approved for treatment of the flu. These are prescription medications, and a doctor should be consulted before the drugs are used. Antiviral treatment lasts for 5 days and must be started within 2 days of illness. Therefore, if you get flu-like symptoms, seek medical care early.
Other Ways to Respond to the Flu
If you get the flu, get plenty of rest, drink a lot of liquids, and avoid using alcohol and tobacco. Also, you can take medications such as acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol®) to relieve the fever and muscle aches associated with the flu. Never give aspirin to children or teenagers who have flu-like symptoms, particularly fever.
Cold or Flu
| Symptoms | Cold | Flu |
|---|---|---|
| Fever | Rare | Usual; high (100-102 degrees F, occasionally higher, especially in young children); lasts 3-4 days |
| Headache | Rare | Common |
| General aches, pains |
Slight | Usual; often severe |
| Fatigue, weakness |
Sometimes | Usual; can last up to 2-3 weeks |
| Extreme exhaustion |
Never | Usual; at the beginning of the illness |
| Stuffy nose |
Common | Sometimes |
| Sneezing | Usual | Sometimes |
| Sore throat |
Common | Sometimes |
| Chest discomfort, cough |
Mild to moderate; hacking cough |
Common; can become severe |