how long does it take for the flu to run it's course

Full Answer

How long does it take to spread the flu?

Once you have the influenza virus, you can spread it to other people about a day before you first notice symptoms. Remember, the average incubation period for the flu is about two days. So, if you come into contact with virus on Saturday morning, you can potentially start spreading it to others by Sunday evening.

How long does it take to recover from flu?

As harsh as the flu can be, the good news is that most people feel much better within one to two weeks. Most healthy adults become contagious the day before symptoms develop (which makes it trickier to prevent from spreading). They remain infectious for up to five to seven days after symptoms appear.

How long does it take for flu symptoms to appear?

Flu symptoms usually start within one to four days after infection. Unlike a common cold, the effects of an influenza virus infection can come on very suddenly. The first signs of the flu are often a fever or chills, accompanied by headache, sore throat, dry cough, runny nose, muscle aches,...

How long are you contagious with the flu?

It may take one to four days after exposure to the influenza virus for symptoms to develop. If you have the flu, you’ll be contagious one day before developing symptoms and up to five to seven days after becoming ill. Younger children or people with a weakened immune system may be contagious for longer.

Does flu get worse before it gets better?

For people who do not develop serious flu complications, symptoms usually last 3–7 days . Some people find that their symptoms get better and then worse again or that they are worse at certain times of the day, such as in the morning.

What are the stages of a flu?

A bout of the flu typically follows this pattern: Days 1–3: Sudden appearance of fever, headache, muscle pain and weakness, dry cough, sore throat and sometimes a stuffy nose. Day 4: Fever and muscle aches decrease. Hoarse, dry or sore throat, cough and possible mild chest discomfort become more noticeable.

How do I know my flu is getting better?

After about 4 days, you'll probably start to feel better. Your fever should be lower and your body aches should have lessened. Your cough may be worse, but this can be a sign that you're getting better. It's still important to get rest and plenty of fluid intake, and to self-isolate.

How long does flu take to peak?

Flu symptoms generally peak 2-4 days after they begin, then begin to gradually improve on their own. You are also most contagious 3-4 days after symptoms start.

When are the worst days of the flu?

Flu Day 1. Flu symptoms hit pretty rapidly on day one. You may wake up feeling fine, but feel progressively worse as the hours pass. ... Flu Day 3. The third day of the flu is possibly the worst, so get plenty of rest and fluids today. ... Flu Day 5. On day five of the flu, you should be starting to feel better.

How do you tell if the flu is turning into pneumonia?

They can include:High fever, up to 105 F.Coughing up greenish, yellow, or bloody mucus.Chills that make you shake.Feeling like you can't catch your breath, especially when you move around a lot.Feeling very tired.Loss of appetite.Sharp or stabbing chest pain (you might feel it more when you cough or take a deep breath)More items...•

What gets rid of flu fast?

These remedies might help you feel better:Stay hydrated. Water, juice, clear broth or warm lemon water with honey helps loosen congestion and prevents dehydration. ... Rest. Your body needs rest to heal.Soothe a sore throat. ... Combat stuffiness. ... Relieve pain. ... Sip warm liquids. ... Try honey. ... Add moisture to the air.More items...

Why does flu get worse at night?

At night, there is less cortisol in your blood. As a result, your white blood cells readily detect and fight infections in your body at this time, provoking the symptoms of the infection to surface, such as fever, congestion, chills, or sweating. Therefore, you feel sicker during the night.

What are the stages of Covid symptoms?

Symptoms range from mild to severe and may include fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.

When should I worry about the flu?

If you are otherwise healthy and not at increased risk of complications, seek medical advice if your flu symptoms are unusually severe, such as: Trouble breathing. A severe sore throat. A cough that produces a lot of green or yellow mucus.

How long does flu fatigue last?

Fever and body aches usually last for 3 to 5 days, but cough and fatigue may last for 2 weeks or more.

How long does the flu last with Tamiflu?

For the treatment of influenza, Tamiflu should be taken for five days after flu symptoms start. Adults and adolescents (13 years and older) may take 75 mg twice a day for five days. Flu symptoms typically last for five to seven days, but Tamiflu can reduce the duration and severity of flu symptoms.

Why does the flu get worse at night?

At night, there is less cortisol in your blood. As a result, your white blood cells readily detect and fight infections in your body at this time, provoking the symptoms of the infection to surface, such as fever, congestion, chills, or sweating. Therefore, you feel sicker during the night.

What is flu A vs B?

An influenza A virus has two surface proteins: hemagglutinin and neuraminidase. These help doctors with classification. Influenza B. Influenza B viruses can also cause seasonal epidemics that typically only affect humans. There are two lineages of influenza B: Victoria and Yamagata.

What are the stages of Covid symptoms?

Symptoms range from mild to severe and may include fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.

What is the third stage of infection which begins when more specific signs and symptoms appear?

Illness. The third stage of infection is an illness or clinical disease. This stage includes the time when a person shows apparent symptoms of an infectious disease.

What Are The Stages of A Cold?

Cold symptoms can differ from person to person, but they generally appear about one to three days after exposure to a cold-causing virus. In most c...

What Are The Stages of The Flu?

Flu symptoms usually start within one to four days after infection. Unlike a common cold, the effects of an influenza virus infection can come on v...

How Long Is The Flu Contagious?

A 2013 survey conducted by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases revealed that 41 percent of people think the flu is only contagious afte...

What If A Cold Or The Flu Won’T Go away?

When complications develop, a person will likely be sick for longer than a week or two, depending on the severity of the complication, how quickly...

How Long Does Immunity Last?

With some viral illnesses, once you have been infected with it or have been vaccinated against it, you're immune for life.With the flu, however, im...

How long does it take to get the flu?

The incubation period of the flu is usually between one and four days.

How long does it take for the flu to show up?

This means that, on average, people start to develop flu symptoms about two days after coming into contact with the influenza virus.

How long before you notice symptoms can you get the flu?

Once you have the virus, you’ll be contagious starting about a day before you notice symptoms. If you want to avoid the flu altogether, the Centers for Disease Control. Trusted Source. recommends getting the seasonal flu shot as your best bet. Here’s a look at the pros and cons of the flu shot.

What is the route of infection?

Route of infection. This refers to the way the virus enters your body. Some routes of infection are more efficient than others, which can either increase or decrease the incubation period.

How long is shedding contagious?

This means you’re usually most contagious on this day. Once you develop symptoms, you’ll still be contagious for another five to seven days. Trusted Source.

How can you get the flu?

The virus can also be transmitted through coming into contact with objects or surfaces, such as a door handle or keyboard, that are coated in these respiratory particles. If you touch a contaminated object and then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth, you may get the flu.

How to get rid of fever after sneezing?

Try to limit your contact with others until you’ve been fever-free for at least 24 hours. Wash your hands. Wash your hands with soap and warm water often, especially after coughing, sneezing, or touching your face. If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

How long does a flu-like infection last?

Tonsillitis is very common, especially in smaller children. It lasts for about one to two weeks and is mainly characterised by severe sore throat. Adults sometimes get pneumonia in addition to the common cold. Pneumonia is mainly manifested by coughing and respiratory problems. It may last for several weeks.

How long does it take for a virus to show up?

Cold and other viral infections have a relatively short incubation period. After the viruses have entered the body, it usually takes about two to eight days for the first symptoms to appear in the case of a cold.

How long does it take to recover from a cold?

This is a strain on the body. If you exert your body additionally during this time, the power used for this is missing, simply put, in the defence against the cold. Recovery can take many weeks or even months. Doctors call this a chronic cold.

How long does it take for the flu to show symptoms?

Flu symptoms usually start within one to four days after infection. Unlike a common cold, the effects of an influenza virus infection can come on very suddenly. (2) The first signs of the flu are often a fever or chills, accompanied by headache, sore throat, dry cough, runny nose, muscle aches, and fatigue. (2)

What if a Cold or the Flu Won’t Go Away?

When complications develop, a person will likely be sick for longer than a week or two, depending on the severity of the complication, how quickly a person receives treatment for it, and how well the patient responds to treatment.

What Are the Stages of a Cold?

Cold symptoms can differ from person to person, but they generally appear about one to three days after exposure to a cold-causing virus. In most cases, cold symptoms will peak within two to three days. (1)

What are the symptoms of a cold?

The most common cold symptoms include fatigue, sore or scratchy throat, nasal congestion or stuffiness, and a runny nose, followed by sneezing and coughing. Fever is not typical with a cold, but a low-grade fever isn’t out of the question, according to the Merck Manual. ( 3)

How long does a cough last?

(1) Symptoms usually disappear in 4 to 10 days, although a cough often lasts into the second week. (3) A cold may last longer or be more severe in people who have chronic health issues. (1)

What happens if you have a phlegm infection?

As the illness progresses, a person may have warm, flushed skin, watery or bloodshot eyes, a severe cough that produces phlegm, and nasal congestion. Nausea and vomiting may also occur, especially among children, according to the Merck Manual. ( 4)

How to tell the difference between a cold and a flu?

A cold and the flu are both respiratory infections, but they’re caused by different viruses. A cold can be caused by more than 200 distinct viruses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), while there are only a handful of viruses that cause the flu.

How long does the flu last?

Symptoms usually appear from one to four days after exposure to the virus, and they last five to seven days. For people who've had a flu shot, the symptoms may last a shorter amount of time, or be less severe. For other people, the symptoms may last longer. Even when symptoms resolve, you may continue to feel fatigued.

How to predict how long the flu will last?

To better predict how long the flu will last, take steps to reduce your risk of contracting the virus and experiencing severe symptoms. Consider the following steps, as suggested in the Harvard Special Report A Guide to Women's Health: Fifty and Forward. Get an annual flu vaccine. Wash your hands with soap and water before eating ...

What to do if you have the flu?

If you get the flu, you should get rest and drink plenty of fluids. Take pain relievers to lower your fever and relieve the aches, such as:

What are the risks of the flu?

Some people are at increased risk for complications from influenza. These people include: 1 the very young 2 people 65 or older 3 people with chronic illnesses, such as asthma, heart disease, HIV, or diabetes 4 pregnant women 5 people with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher

Do smokers get the flu?

Smokers are more likely to get the flu than nonsmokers. These steps won't guarantee that you'll escape the flu this year, but they may help prevent it. And they may help reduce the amount of time the flu lasts if you do become infected with the virus. – By Heidi Godman. Executive Editor, Harvard Health Letter.