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Symptoms that could indicate the flu include:

• Cough
• Sore throat
• Stuffy or runny nose
• Body aches or chills
• Headache
• Fever
• Fatigue

For non-complicated flu cases symptoms usually last for 3-7 days. That said, some people report feeling ill for two weeks, even after their fever has subsided. It is possible for a cough to last for up to 8 weeks. Roughly 200,000 people a year require hospitalization for the flu.

Yes. Tamiflu is a prescription medication that can be used to treat the flu. Tamiflu has been shown to reduce flu symptoms and lead to a quicker recovery if taken within 48 hours of infection.

Most people who get the flu have a mild illness, and typically can recover at home. If medication is needed as part of your flu treatment, antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu are commonly prescribed. Note that flu antivirals are different from antibiotics and are only available as prescriptions.

Yes, you can get flu treatment online through a telehealth service such as PlushCare. At PlushCare, you can get a virtual medical evaluation and flu treatment plan from our licensed online doctors, who are all graduates of the top 50 U.S. medical schools. To speak with a PlushCare online doctor about flu symptoms and flu treatment options, including a prescription if you qualify, book an appointment today.

According to the CDC, if you have the flu or a flu-like illness, you are recommended to stay home for at least 24 hours until after your fever is gone (unless you require medical care or need other necessities). The fever should be gone without having to use fever-reducing medication.

People who have influenza are the most contagious in the 3-4 days after they first become ill, and some people may infect other people 1 day before initial symptoms and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming ill, according to the CDC.

You may or may not need to get a flu test, based on individual symptoms and risk factors. You may consider getting a flu test as soon as possible after your initial symptoms. This can help determine whether you have the flu and what your flu treatment plan may be. Your doctor can provide additional advice and guidance regarding testing and any next steps for treatment.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, ways that you can help to prevent the flu include:

• Washing your hands thoroughly or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Limit touching your eyes, mouth, and nose
• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing
• Avoid being around people when you are sick or have a fever
• Limiting contact with people who are sick
• Eat a balanced diet, exercise, and get proper rest

The flu shot offers protection against the flu that lasts for about 6 months. Studies show that flu vaccines are about 50 to 60% effective for healthy adults who are between 18 and 64 years old. Although getting a flu shot is not 100% effective, it is the best way to prevent flu and complications associated with influenza.

The effectiveness of the flu shot varies each year, as each year, a new vaccine is released. The CDC conducts studies each year to determine how well the flu vaccines worked, and recent studies show that flu vaccination reduces the risk of flu illness by between 40% and 60%.

The protection the flu vaccine provides is dependent in part on factors such as age and health status of the person getting the vaccine, and the similarity or match between the viruses in the vaccine and those in circulation.

Each year, a new flu vaccine is produced that fights specific types of flu strains. So flu vaccine efficacy greatly depends on the similarity between the particular viruses that the vaccine of the year is manufactured to protect against, and the actual flu virus affecting a community.

It takes about two weeks for the flu shot to be effective. Typically in two weeks, antibodies will develop in the body that provides protection against the influenza vaccine. It is best to get the flu vaccine before the flu is spreading in your community.

Yes, you can have the flu without a fever. Even if you are feeling miserable, with aches, fatigue, and a cough, but no fever, you could still have the flu. While a fever is one of the hallmark signs of the flu, it is possible to have the flu without a fever.