Influenza (Flu)

The influenza virus is generally passed from person to person by airborne transmission (i.e., sneezing or coughing). The virus also can live for a short time on objects, such as doorknobs, pens, pencils, keyboards, telephone receivers, and eating or drinking utensils. Therefore, it also may be spread by touching something that has been handled by someone infected with the virus and then touching your own mouth, nose or eyes. Being aware of your surroundings and taking precautions can help prevent influenza.

Flu symptoms

Influenza and the common cold often are confused. If you’ve been exposed to others with the flu virus and you suddenly feel feverish and achy all over, it’s probably the flu. Flu symptoms often come on so fast, people can tell you the hour they got sick. You may have mild cold-like symptoms, but mostly your head and muscles ache, and you shake with chills and burn with fever. Children may have nausea and vomiting as well. 

The following are the most common symptoms of the flu. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Influenza is called a respiratory disease, but the whole body seems to suffer when you are infected. People usually become acutely ill with several, or all, of the following symptoms:

• High fever
• Headache
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sneezing at times
• Cough, often becoming severe
• Chills
• Severe aches and pains
• Fatigue for several weeks
• Sometimes a sore throat
• Extreme exhaustion

Fever and body aches usually last for three to five days, but cough and fatigue may last for two weeks or more. Although nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may accompany the flu, these gastrointestinal symptoms are rarely prominent. "Stomach flu" is an incorrect term sometimes used to describe gastrointestinal illnesses caused by other microorganisms.

If your child has flu-like symptoms, is lethargic and won’t drink fluids, contact your child's doctor right away. Also seek medical care if you suspect strep, a bacterial infection that can be serious. A streptococcus infection also can cause fever and nausea. With strep, the patient will have an extremely sore throat and swollen glands just under the jaw. 

If you have chronic heart or lung disease, asthma, diabetes, HIV or kidney dysfunction, or if you’re pregnant or over age 65, you’re at higher risk for complications and contact your doctor at the first sign of flu symptoms. 

Symptoms of the flu may resemble other medical conditions. Always consult your doctor for a diagnosis.

Flu treatment

If you think you have flu, it is important to schedule an ExpressCARE Video Visit through MyLVHN. This helps ensure you are seen as quickly as possible and treatment can begin quickly too. (For more information on how to schedule a video visit, visit this blog or learn more about ExpressCARE Video Visits here.)

The goal of treatment for influenza is to help prevent or decrease the severity of symptoms. Treatment may include:

Medications to relieve aches and fever 
For a fever higher than 100 degrees, acetaminophen can relieve muscle aches and chills. Let a fever below 100 degrees run its course. 

Drinking lots of fluids
When you’re dehydrated, everything hurts more. Water, sports drinks or anything you can keep down will help you feel better and reduce your fever. 

Loosening congestion
You can loosen congestion with steam from a hot shower, vaporizer or pot of boiling water, or try a decongestant. To open a blocked nose, use warm water or saline nose drops.

Soup and cough medicine
You can ease a sore throat and cough with chicken broth, cough drops and cough medicine. 

Rest
The flu is very contagious. Symptoms can occur 24-36 hours after first contact with an infected person.

Antiviral medications
When started within the first two days of treatment, antiviral medications can reduce the duration of the disease but cannot cure it. Four medications are approved by the Food and Drug Administration: oseltamivir, zanamivir, peramivir and baloxavir. Some side effects may result from taking these medications, such as nervousness, lightheadedness or nausea. Individuals with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are cautioned about using zanamivir. Viral resistance to these drugs may vary. Some drugs may be ineffective if current viral strains have developed resistance. All of these medications must be prescribed by a doctor.

Specific treatment for influenza will be determined by your doctor based on:

• Your age, overall health and medical history
• Extent and type of influenza, and severity of symptoms
• Your tolerance for specific medications, procedures or therapies
• Expectations for the course of the disease
• Your opinion or preference

If your fever persists more than two or three days or if you have an irregular heartbeat, wheezy cough, difficulty breathing or keeping food down, or severe confusion, call your doctor. These are signs of complications.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) helps patients who have a serious condition that affects their heart and/or lungs. With ECMO, blood is drawn from the body through a plastic tube, run through a machine that removes carbon dioxide and adds oxygen, and returned to the body. The patient remains on a low-level ventilator to keep the lungs moving, but because the heart and lungs are not working as hard, ECMO gives them a chance to heal.

How to protect yourself from flu or other viral respiratory illnesses

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends some easy-to-follow practices that can help protect you and others from viral respiratory illnesses like influenza (flu), COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV):

• Stay up to date with vaccinations: This helps protect against developing serious illness that could result in hospitalization or death. Vaccinations are available for flu and COVID-19. RSV vaccinations are available for certain people, including pregnant women and adults 60 and older.
• Practice good hygiene:  That means remembering to cover your mouth if you cough or your nose if you sneeze; washing your hands often or using hand sanitizer frequently; and regularly cleaning surfaces that are frequently touched, like doorknobs, appliance handles, remote controls, phones, etc.
• Breathe cleaner air: Do that by allowing fresh outside air to circulate in your home, purifying indoor air or holding gatherings with your friends and family outdoors, when possible.

Please note that the CDC has separate guidance for health care settings to help prevent spread of infection.

What steps should I follow if I’m sick with the flu or another respiratory viral illness?

In March 2024, the CDC updated its guidance for the community concerning what people should do if they’re sick with the flu or another respiratory viral illness, such as COVID-19 or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

1. Stay away from others. If you are sick with a respiratory virus, you should stay home to avoid spreading the infection to others.
2. Wear a face mask: To help protect others, including those you live with, the CDC recommends that you wear a face mask to reduce the spread of germs into the air. (More info from CDC.)
3. Seek treatment. If you have the flu or COVID-19, reach out to your primary care clinician to ask if you should receive treatment. For flu or COVID-19, earlier treatment can lessen symptoms and reduce your risk for developing more serious illness.

To help protect others from infection as you finish recovering from illness, take these additional steps for the next five days:

• Wear a well-fitting mask.
• Keep a distance from others.
• Get tested for respiratory viruses.

Also, keep up your hand hygiene, cough/sneeze protection etiquette and use the fresh air strategies to protect others.

Follow-up care for flu patients

It’s not uncommon to have a dry cough and fatigue for several weeks after a bout of flu. But if you’ve been getting better and suddenly feel worse, with fever and rapid breathing or pulse, or pain when you move your eyes, call the doctor. This is especially important for children under age 2, adults over 65, or people with conditions like asthma, heart or lung disease, diabetes or immune disorders. If necessary, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics — but only if necessary.