Approximately 8% of U.S. residents get the flu every year. According to the CDC, by November of the 2023 flu season, at least 780,000 people in the United States already had the flu, and that number will continue to grow. Only 8,000 were admitted to the hospital, meaning that 772,000 other people who were sick with the flu could remain at home. How did they decide when to stay home, call their physician, or go to urgent care or the emergency room (ER)?
Recognizing Flu Symptoms
Flu is short for influenza, a viral illness that causes respiratory symptoms. People who feel sick don’t necessarily have the flu but may be ill with one of several common cold viruses or COVID-19. The symptoms of the flu include the following:
- Fever and chills
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Muscle aches and pains
- Headache
- Feeling tired
- Vomiting and diarrhea (children)
Since the symptoms of the common cold, flu, and COVID can be the same, it is impossible to diagnose the flu based on symptoms alone. To make matters more confusing, some people can even have two viruses simultaneously. They might be sick with both COVID and the flu.
So, the best way to treat the flu — and any other respiratory illness — is to treat the symptoms, stay hydrated and get lots of rest.
At-Home Remedies for Flu Relief
Having the flu can make you miserable. It can be hard to sleep when you have aching muscles, a headache, cough and fever. And, when your throat is sore, you don’t feel like drinking, which can make you feel thirsty and dry.
However, there are some home remedies to help you feel better so you can keep hydrated and get some rest. First of all, if you are sick with the flu, stay home and try to stay away from others living in your house. Here are some other suggestions:
- If your muscles hurt or your throat is sore, you can use medicines like acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Read the labels on the bottles and packaging of all the medicines you take to prevent an overdose. Some cough and flu medicines, including the liquids and fizzy drinks that you can buy at the drugstore to help you feel better also have acetaminophen, so be careful not to take too much. Also, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking over-the-counter medications if you have high blood pressure or are taking prescription medications.
- Drink lots of water. Staying hydrated helps to thin out the secretions in your nose and lungs, making it easier to breathe and cough.
- Be lazy. Now is not the time to catch up on work. Get lots of rest.
- Take a hot shower to loosen and thin out secretions.
- Anyone under 18 years of age should not take aspirin because they can contract Reye’s Syndrome, which can cause swelling in the brain and liver.
Herbal supplements, such as Echinacea and Vitamin C, can make you feel better if you have a cold, but they don’t work for the flu.
Navigating Primary Care: When and Why
Staying at home and caring for yourself may not be the right choice for everyone. Most people with the flu have a mild illness and don’t need to call their physician or take antiviral drugs. However, there are exceptions.
Some people have a higher chance of developing flu-related complications. These populations include young children, people with cancer or chronic immune diseases, those over 65, or pregnant people. If they get sick with the flu, it’s crucial for them to call their doctor right away. Medicines that fight the flu work best when taken early and can help stop the illness from worsening.
If you’re in one of these groups, talk to your primary care doctor about making a unique plan for your care. This way, the medicines you might need if you get sick will be available, and it’s helpful when your primary doctor is away. If you don’t have a primary care doctor, it’s smart to find one before something urgent happens. Having one means they get to know you, your medical history and how to give you the best care.
When to Consider Urgent Care
Most people with the flu only have mild symptoms. However, some — even those who are healthy — can become very ill. They might get an infection in their lungs, making it hard for them to breathe. Their ears or sinuses can also get infected. People with diabetes can have difficulty controlling their blood sugar.
Urgent care treats people who are sick enough to see a doctor or nurse practitioner but can still breathe easily. They have X-ray machines and can do simple laboratory tests so the health care providers can treat illnesses that need an antibiotic, such as ear or sinus infections, or give fluids if someone is dehydrated.
If you cannot get an appointment to see your primary care provider right away, urgent care is a good option.
Emergency Situations: When to Go to the ER
Some people are too sick for urgent care and should go directly to the ER.
Adults and children who are sick with the flu should go to the ER if they:
- Are not urinating
- Have a fever or cough that is getting worse
- Have terrible muscle pain
- (Child) Are an infant less than three months with a fever
- (Child) Have a fever over 104 degrees
Always go by ambulance to the ER if you or your child is/are:
- Having a hard time breathing
- Experiencing chest pain
- Shaking or having seizures
- Very weak or can’t stand up
It is also crucial to call an ambulance if your child has a blue tinge around their mouth and/or is not responding to you.
Preventing the Spread of the Flu
The best way to avoid the flu is to get a flu vaccine every year.
Flu viruses spread quickly. You might be sick with the flu before you show any symptoms.
People can help others avoid getting the flu by washing their hands, coughing into their elbows, staying away from people who are sick and wearing a mask if they feel ill or are in large crowds.
If you get the flu, stay home until you feel better. People are the most contagious during the first three to four days.
More to Read
- Keep Your Family Safe From the Flu
- What You Need to Know About Avoiding the Flu
- 5 Must-Know Myths and Facts About the Flu Shot
Medically reviewed by Scott T. Burger, DO.
Updated 12/1/2023
