Treatment FAQ

when to seek medical treatment for the flu

by Elyse Wiza III Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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When to Seek Medical Care
  • Fast breathing or trouble breathing.
  • Bluish or gray skin color.
  • Not drinking enough fluids.
  • Severe or persistent vomiting.
  • Not waking up or not interacting normally.
  • Being so irritable that they do not want to be held.
  • Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough.

Medication

Self-care

Nutrition

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When should you seek medical care when you have the flu?

You have shortness of breath or difficulty breathing It could be a sign of a something more serious, such as pneumonia, an infection of the lungs. Pneumonia is a common and potentially serious complication of flu. It causes up to 49,000 deaths in the United States every year.

How do you know when flu is serious?

You might have:Fever above 100 F.Severe aches in your muscles and joints.Weakness or severe fatigue.Warm, flushed skin and red, watery eyes.Chills.A headache.A dry cough.A sore throat and runny nose.

Does flu get worse before it gets better?

For people who do not develop serious flu complications, symptoms usually last 3–7 days . Some people find that their symptoms get better and then worse again or that they are worse at certain times of the day, such as in the morning.

Why does flu get worse at night?

At night, there is less cortisol in your blood. As a result, your white blood cells readily detect and fight infections in your body at this time, provoking the symptoms of the infection to surface, such as fever, congestion, chills, or sweating. Therefore, you feel sicker during the night.

High-Risk Groups

Flu Complications

Covid-19 and Flu

Should I Seek Advice?

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Govind Desai
Your provider will work with you to develop a care plan that may include one or more of these treatment options.
Most of the time flu goes away without treatment. Taking medication can help relieve symptoms. Bed rest will help in faster recovery.
Medication

Antivirals: To treat specific viral infections.

Oseltamivir . Zanamivir


Antihistamines: It helps to relieve symptoms such as nasal discharge and sneezing.

Brompheniramine . Chlorpheniramine


Cough suppressants: To relieve cough, in the form of cough drops or cough syrup.

Dextromethorphan

Self-care

Always talk to your provider before starting anything.

  • Drink plenty of fluids
  • Take complete rest
  • Eat healthy foods
  • Practice good hygiene

Nutrition

Foods to eat:

  • Protein-rich foods such as lean meat, poultry, legumes, diary, nuts.
  • Iron-rich foods such as spinach, broccoli, beetroot.
  • Potassium-rich foods such as green vegetable juice, avocados, brussels sprouts, swiss chard and broccoli.
  • Consume more of antioxidant rich foods such as tomatoes, carrots, pumpkin seeds, sweet potatoes, pomegranates and strawberries.

Foods to avoid:

  • Caffeinated drinks such as coffee, aerated drinks.
  • Junk foods such as packed food

Specialist to consult

Infectiologist
Specializes in the diagnosis, control and treatment of infections.
Primary care physician
Specializes in the acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health.

Prevention and Cure

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