The normal treatment for flu is rest and plenty of liquids. Treatment also includes ways to prevent spreading the flu virus, such as proper handwashing, keeping common surfaces clean, and coughing or sneezing into your arm or sleeve.
Medications for specific symptoms can help. Cough suppressants can be used for cough. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be used to treat symptoms of the flu, such as aches and fever. Children and teenagers with flu shouldn't take acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). The combination of influenza and ASA is linked to Reye's syndrome, a rare but serious condition affecting the brain and liver. Many over-the-counter cold medications contain ASA or other salicylates. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about this.
Antibiotics are not effective against viral infections like flu and the cold, but they are prescribed for complications such as pneumonia or other bacterial infections.
Antiviral medications oseltamivir and zanamivir are sometimes used to treat the flu. These medications can help shorten the duration of the flu and reduce symptoms and work best if they are taken within 48 hours of the start of symptoms. Antiviral medications are also used to prevent flu infection for some people after they come into close contact with a person who has the flu, such as flu-infected people who live in the same household. Generally, antivirals are not recommended for most people; however, they may be recommended for people at risk for flu complications. Your doctor can decide whether you should start antiviral medications.
Flu antibodies can prevent the flu. The only way to generate antibodies is to be infected or to get vaccinated. Because the flu viruses can change from year to year, vaccination needs to be repeated every year. Keep in mind that all flu vaccines take 2 weeks to start providing protection, so the key is to get vaccinated early.
Each spring, a worldwide network of physicians and testing labs decide which flu strains are likely to cause trouble and design that year's vaccine accordingly. The effectiveness of the vaccine can vary from season to season, which means there is still a chance that you can get the flu – although your symptoms may be milder. The flu vaccine should be given to anyone considered high risk for flu complications, those that can pass the flu to those at high risk (i.e. health care providers, caregivers, etc.), those that provide essential community services, and anyone who wants to avoid the flu.
High-risk groups for flu complications include:
- anyone aged 65 years or older
- young children under 5 years old (especially if they are less than 2 years old)
- people with underlying medical conditions, including people with:
- asthma and other chronic lung diseases (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], cystic fibrosis)
- diabetes and other metabolic diseases
- heart disease (e.g., coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, congenital heart disease)
- kidney disease
- a weakened immune system (immunocompromised), which can be caused by:
- HIV/AIDS, an infection that attacks the immune system
- cancer
- medications that suppress the immune system
- blood disorders (e.g., anemia, sickle cell anemia)
- neurologic and neurodevelopmental disorders that affect their ability to swallow and breathe
- morbid obesity (BMI of 40 or higher)
- residents of nursing homes or other chronic care facilities, regardless of age
- children and adolescents receiving long-term ASA therapy
- pregnant women (especially if they are in their second or third trimester)
- Indigenous peoples
People who should not receive a flu shot include children less than 6 months of age and those who have had a severe allergic reaction to a previous flu vaccine. Be sure to tell your health care provider about this and any other allergies you may have before you are given your flu shot.
You can reduce your risk of getting the flu by washing your hands regularly using soap and warm water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Also, cough or sneeze into a tissue or into your sleeve. Dispose of the tissue right away. If you have flu symptoms, stay home from work or school and avoid contact with people who are at a high risk of flu complications (e.g., seniors, nursing home residents).
*All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®). The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen). A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article lists medications by their common names. For information on a given medication, check our Drug Information database. For more information on brand names, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2021. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Influenza