How long does the flu last?

While the dates of flu season vary each year, it often starts in October and typically lasts until May. The good news is that the flu is preventable. You can get your yearly flu shot, keep up your hand hygiene that the coronavirus pandemic reinforced, and continue a healthy lifestyle. However, despite your best efforts, there’s still a chance of getting the flu. Unfortunately, once you get it, there is no universal or quick cure. The virus has to run its course, and it will take several days to start feeling better. We will discuss how long the flu lasts and ways to find fast relief from these pesky flu symptoms.

How long does it usually take to get over the flu?

“It takes anywhere from one to two weeks to recover from the flu fully,” said Niket Sonpal, MD, a board-certified internist in NYC. 

Fever, along with most other symptoms of the flu, will typically last anywhere from five to seven days. However, it may take longer to completely feel better. “While your body may have already fought off the infection earlier, you still may not feel 100% up to two weeks after being exposed,” Dr. Sonpal says. “It’s completely normal to feel weak and tired while your body is in recovery.”

The flu is most contagious during the first three to four days when you start showing symptoms. However, some individuals can spread the flu a day before they even start showing symptoms, explaining why the flu can be so contagious. Most individuals who have the flu virus will no longer be infectious to others five to seven days after the start of their symptoms. 

RELATED: Is the flu airborne?

How long does the flu last compared to other illnesses?

The flu virus and stomach flu are not the same things, nor do they have the same recovery time. The amount of time the stomach flu lasts on average is one to two days, but sometimes it can last up to 10 days. 

The common cold, sometimes mistaken for the flu, also has different recovery times and may last two to 10 days.

Influenza and COVID-19 have similar symptoms and can be difficult to distinguish from one another. Learn more about spotting the differences between coronavirus, the common cold, and influenza here.

What are the stages of the flu?

After being exposed to the influenza virus, the infection will take one to four days to start exhibiting symptoms. 

“These early signs often include fever or chills, headache, sore throat, dry cough, runny nose, muscle aches, and fatigue,” explains Dr. Sonpal. “The beginning of the flu is when the symptoms are at their most severe, and you will most likely be confined to a bed with fatigue, weakness, and high fever for about two to three days.”

Your fever should break after these first days, and symptoms will slowly resolve over the next three to seven days. After seven days and once all your symptoms have resolved, the flu is over. You might still feel weak or tired, but otherwise, be symptom-free. At this time, you can safely go back to work or school. This is completely normal as your body has exerted extra energy to recover.

There are some exceptions to these numbers. For most healthy people, seven days is all their body needs to be symptom-free and no longer be contagious. However, people with weakened immune systems or young children may be contagious and exhibit symptoms longer as their body needs more time to fight off the infection. 

Fast flu relief

If you have the flu, there are treatments and home remedies to help get relief from your symptoms faster:

• Antiviral drugs: For those who experience severe symptoms or have weakened immune systems, your doctor can prescribe an antiviral medication. This medicine will help speed up recovery and lessen the severity of symptoms. One of the most popular antiviral drugs prescribed for the flu is Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate).
• Fluids and rest: The two most important things you will need while combating the flu are to drink plenty of fluids and get plenty of rest. Hydration and rest are essential to help fight off infection and speed up recovery time. 
• Over-the-counter pain reliever: To help alleviate some symptoms of the flu, for example, fever and body aches, use over-the-counter pain relievers. Pain relievers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help provide some relief.
• Over-the-counter decongestant: Often, flu symptoms are worse at night. One of the reasons for this is because lying flat causes mucus to run to the back of your throat, causing pain, irritation, and cough. Drinking plenty of water will help thin out mucus, but decongestants and/or antihistamines can also help alleviate this symptom, such as those commonly found in some combination products like Nyquil.  

You will not need flu relief if you prevent the flu from happening in the first place. A seasonal flu shot is a smart option to stop the flu before it even starts. Flu vaccines are recommended for everyone and are especially helpful for high risks groups such as older adults or those with chronic illness. You will need a new one each year before the start of the flu season, as the flu virus strain changes each year, which means the vaccine has to change each year to match the virus. One common flu vaccine brand is Fluzone Quadrivalent and can be given at a doctor’s office or most major pharmacies. There may be side effects from the vaccine, such as headache or pain at the injection site, but these are often minor compared to the flu.

When to see the doctor for persistent flu symptoms

The flu can be dangerous, leading to hospitalization or sometimes even death. It is important to know when to visit your healthcare provider.

According to Dr. Sonpal, it is time to consult a doctor, “if you’ve had a fever for more than three days, that reaches 103° F or higher, or is accompanied by a severe headache, severe throat-swelling, an unusual skin rash, mental confusion, vomiting, or any other out of the ordinary symptoms.”

He also advises contacting a doctor if you have symptoms lasting longer than a week. This could indicate an underlying condition that is hindering your recovery. It is also possible you are experiencing flu complications. Complications can be minor secondary infections like ear or sinus infections. However, there are also potentially serious complications like inflammation of the heart. Pregnant women should also contact their doctor right away if they have the flu since there are risks to the developing baby. 

It’s important to help prevent the spread of flu to others. It can be a serious health risk for some people. Some ways to prevent the flu spread are:

• Get the flu vaccine
• Use proper hand hygiene
• Disinfect surfaces during flu season
• Use your elbow to cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze
• Stay at home once symptoms start