The flu is a contagious respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and even death. Most healthy people recover from the flu without complications. The best way to prevent flu is to get a flu vaccine each year.

How the Flu is Spread

When a person with the flu coughs or sneezes, droplets containing the influenza virus are released into the air. The droplets can be inhaled by healthy people nearby and cause infection.

Occasionally a person may become infected by touching a surface contaminated by the flu virus (door knob, faucet, etc.) and then touching their eyes, mouth or nose.

Symptoms of the flu usually occur within one to three days after a person has been exposed to the virus.

If You Get The Flu

Stay home when you are sick

• You can infect others one day before getting symptoms and up to five days after getting sick. You may be spreading the flu without even realizing it.
• Get plenty of rest, and seek medical attention if you do not feel better in a few days.
• Change linens frequently.
• Do not share eating utensils, drinking glasses, towels or other personal items.
• Keep household surfaces clean.
• Avoid using alcohol and tobacco.

General advice if you think you have the flu

• If you are sick with the flu, you may be ill for a week or longer. Stay home, unless you need medical care or other necessities, so you can get better and prevent others from getting ill. Drink plenty of fluids and rest as much as possible. Avoid travel.
• Do not go to work or school until at least 24 hours after your fever is gone. Your fever should be gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine like acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil).
• If you leave the house to seek medical care, wear a facemask.
• Wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap or use a hand sanitizer.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve.
• In general, avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness, especially those with one of the high-risk chronic conditions.

Antiviral Medications

Prescription antiviral medications may provide some benefit if started within two days of the first symptoms of flu. See your doctor as soon as symptoms appear if you are interested in antiviral medication. Antibiotics are not effective against the flu virus.

Over-the-Counter Medicine

Over-the-counter medications may relieve the symptoms of the flu. Never give aspirin to children or teenagers with flu-like symptoms, particularly fever, because it has been associated with a dangerous illness called Reye syndrome. There is no scientific evidence that vitamins, herbal, homeopathic or other folk remedies have any benefit against the flu.