preventing flu

Overview

The flu (short for influenza) is a common, contagious illness caused by influenza viruses. It affects your nose, throat, and sometimes your lungs. For most people, the flu is unpleasant but goes away in a week or two. However, it can be dangerous for young children, older adults, and people with certain health conditions.

Yes. Every year, millions of people around the world catch the flu. In most cases, it is not serious, but it can still make you feel very unwell for several days.

Anyone can get the flu, but it is most serious in babies, older adults, pregnant women, and people with long-term health problems like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Fever or feeling feverish/chills
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• Feeling very tired
• Loss of appetite

Symptoms in children

• High fever
• Being fussy or irritable
• Vomiting or diarrhea (more common in children than in adults)
• Refusing to drink or eat
• Being less active than usual

Symptoms in older adults

• A new or worsening cough
• Confusion or unusual sleepiness
• Feeling very weak or unsteady
• Fever (sometimes, older adults may not have a high fever)
• Shortness of breath

Causes

Main causes

• Influenza viruses (types A and B) cause the flu.
• You can catch it by breathing in droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.
• You can also catch it by touching a surface with the virus on it (like a door handle) and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• The virus can spread before you feel sick and for up to a week after symptoms start.

Risk factors

• Being younger than 5 or older than 65
• Being pregnant or having recently given birth
• Living in a long-term care facility
• Having a weakened immune system (for example, due to cancer treatment or HIV)
• Having chronic illnesses such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, or lung disease
• Smoking
• Living or working in crowded places like schools, offices, or dormitories

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• If you have breathing trouble, chest pain, confusion, or other emergency signs, call your local emergency number right away.
• If your symptoms suddenly get worse after starting to improve, seek medical care within a day.
• If you are in a high-risk group and you think you may have the flu, call your doctor right away — early care can help.

Book a routine appointment if:

• If you have a fever that lasts more than a few days or a cough that does not go away after a week or two.
• If you want to discuss whether you need a flu vaccine or if you have questions about preventing the flu.
• If you are caring for a child or older adult with flu symptoms and are unsure what to do.

Diagnosis

A doctor or nurse can usually tell if you might have the flu by asking about your symptoms and doing a quick physical exam, such as checking your throat, ears, and lungs.

Tests that may be done

• Rapid flu test: a swab from inside your nose or back of your throat, with results in about 15 minutes.
• PCR test: a more sensitive test that also uses a swab and can give a more accurate result, usually within a day.
• In some cases, a chest X-ray may be done if the doctor suspects pneumonia.

What to expect at your appointment

If you see a doctor for the flu, they will ask when your symptoms started, whether you have any other health conditions, and may do a swab test. Based on that, they will tell you how to manage your symptoms and whether you are at higher risk for complications.

Treatment

For most people, the flu can be managed at home with rest, fluids, and time. If you are in a high-risk group or you have severe symptoms, a doctor may prescribe antiviral medicine, which works best when started within the first two days of symptoms.

Self-care at home

• Rest as much as possible — your body needs energy to fight the virus.
• Drink plenty of fluids like water, warm soups, and herbal tea to avoid dehydration.
• Use a cool-mist humidifier or take a warm shower to help ease a cough and stuffy nose.
• Gargle with warm salt water for a sore throat (only for adults and older children).
• Stay home from work or school until you have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without using fever-reducing medicine.

Medical treatments

Doctors sometimes prescribe antiviral medicines for the flu. These are not the same as antibiotics and are used only for flu. They can shorten the illness slightly and reduce the risk of complications, especially for people at high risk. They must be prescribed by a healthcare provider — you cannot buy them yourself. Always follow your provider’s advice and finish the full course if prescribed.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is not used to treat or prevent the flu.

Living with this condition

While you have the flu, focus on rest and drinking fluids. Keep distance from others as much as possible, cover your cough with a tissue or your elbow, and clean shared surfaces like doorknobs and counters. After the flu, ease back into your normal routine gradually — it is normal to feel tired for a week or two.

Lifestyle tips

• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.
• Get enough sleep every night — adults should aim for 7–9 hours.
• Manage stress with activities like walking, breathing exercises, or talking with friends.
• Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke, which can make flu symptoms worse.

Diet and exercise

Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to keep your immune system strong. During the flu, you may not feel like eating, so focus on soups, broths, and fluids. Once you recover, gentle activity like short walks can help you regain strength, but do not push yourself too hard too soon.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

The flu can be mentally draining, especially if you feel isolated at home or you are worried about missing work or caring for others. It is normal to feel anxious or low. Let trusted people know you are ill and ask for support, even if it is just to have someone bring you soup.

Prevention

Yes, there are effective ways to lower your risk of getting the flu or passing it on. The most important steps are getting a yearly flu vaccine, washing your hands often, and avoiding close contact with anyone who is sick.

Vaccines

A flu vaccine is the single best way to prevent the flu. It is recommended each year for everyone aged 6 months and older, including people who are healthy, pregnant, or elderly. Vaccines are updated yearly because flu viruses change. Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or local health clinic about getting your flu vaccine — even late in the season it can still protect you.

Screening programmes

There is no routine screening test for flu in healthy people. Testing is done only if you have symptoms and need a diagnosis. Prevention focuses on vaccines and everyday hygiene.

Complications

If left untreated

• Pneumonia (a lung infection)
• Bronchitis (inflammation of the airways)
• Sinus and ear infections
• Worsening of long-term conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease
• Hospitalization, especially for young children, older adults, and high-risk groups
• In rare cases, the flu can be life-threatening

Long-term outlook

The outlook for most healthy people who get the flu is very good — most recover within 1 to 2 weeks with home care. Even for people at higher risk, getting the flu vaccine and seeking early medical care can greatly lower the chance of serious illness. The flu is a familiar illness, and with the right support, your body can fight it off.

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