how long till the flu runs its course

For most healthy people, the flu is an uncomfortable but short-term illness that resolves itself as the immune system fights it off. Symptoms usually appear from one to four days after exposure to the virus, and they last five to seven days.

Full Answer

How long does it take for flu symptoms to appear?

It may take one to four days after exposure to the influenza virus for symptoms to develop. If you have the flu, you’ll one day before developing symptoms and up to five to seven days after becoming ill.

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 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 prior to 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.

How long does the flu last?

According to the , an uncomplicated influenza infection will last from three to seven days in most people, including children. However, a cough and feelings of weakness or fatigue can last for two weeks or longer. Some people are at an increased risk for developing flu-related complications.

How long does it take the flu to run its course?

Flu symptoms, including fever, should go away after about 5 days, but you may still have a cough and feel weak a few days longer. All your symptoms should be gone within 1 to 2 weeks.

How do you know when the flu is ending?

When will I come out of the flu? 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.

Does the flu have to run its course?

Young, healthy people probably don't need to be treated for influenza. It will simply run its course in a few days. Over-the-counter medications for symptoms may be helpful. The very young and old and those with other medical problems may benefit from being treated with antiviral medications.

How long is the duration of the flu?

Uncomplicated influenza signs and symptoms typically resolve after 3-7 days for the majority of people, although cough and malaise can persist for >2 weeks, especially in elderly people and those with chronic lung disease.

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

What Are the Symptoms of Pneumonia?Cough, which may produce greenish, yellow or even bloody mucus.Fever, sweating and shaking chills.Shortness of breath.Rapid, shallow breathing.Sharp or stabbing chest pain that gets worse when you breathe deeply or cough.Loss of appetite, low energy, and fatigue.More items...•

How can I recover from flu faster?

12 Tips for a Speedy Flu RecoveryStay home. Your body needs time and energy to fight off the flu virus, which means that your daily routine should be put on the backburner. ... Hydrate. ... Sleep as much as possible. ... Ease your breathing. ... Eat healthy foods. ... Add moisture to the air. ... Take OTC medications. ... Try elderberry.More items...

What are the worst days of the flu?

Flu Day 1. The second stage of the flu is actually day one. You may wake up feeling fine, but feel progressively worse as the day goes on. ... Flu Day 3. The third day is often the worst flu stage. This is the day when many symptoms are the most intense. ... Flu Day 5. By day five, you should be starting to feel better.

Can flu relapse?

A relapse could be an indication that your child has a secondary infection or complication as a result of the flu, such as pneumonia. If your child gets sick again shortly after they showed signs of getting better, check with your healthcare provider as soon as you notice the change.

Does flu get worse before it gets better?

If you have the flu and continue to get worse instead of better, that's a good indication it's time to see your doctor. Flu symptoms should only last a week, and you should be able to alleviate them through treatment at home. Taking over-the-counter medications for fever, body aches, and congestion should be effective.

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.

Can I recover from flu in 2 days?

Symptoms of the flu can appear quite suddenly and intensely, so it is common to be fine one day and then be out of action the next day with the flu. The most severe symptoms generally last 2 to 3 days – the start of the flu is when the infection is at its worst, so the symptoms are at their most severe.

Can you have the flu for 2 weeks?

The flu typically lasts one to two weeks. If symptoms are getting worse after the first week, you should consider consulting a doctor, especially if you have a pre-existing health condition like asthma or diabetes.

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 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.

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 it take to recover from the flu?

Some symptoms, such as a cough, can persist for more than two weeks. Even if you have a quick recovery from the flu, you can still infect others five to seven days after becoming sick.

What is the difference between the flu and the cold?

In general, the symptoms of the flu are more severe and more common. Colds are typically milder. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose than those with the flu.

How to prevent the flu?

A flu shot is the best way to prevent the flu. Practicing preventative habits can also cut down on your chances of exposing yourself to the flu.#N#“Germs like the flu spread when people touch their eyes, nose, mouth, or even the food that they eat,” explains Dr. Tyeese L. Gaines, board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician and Medical Director of UltraMed Urgent Care in Skokie, Illinois. “It’s a good habit to always wash your hands often with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand rub, but especially during flu season. Try to avoid close contact with sick people.”#N#The CDC advises you utilize several health habits to protect yourself:#N#• Avoid close contact with those who are sick#N#• Wash your hands thoroughly and often#N#• Avoid touching your nose, eyes, and mouth — especially when in public#N#• Disinfect surfaces, especially if someone is sick#N#• Eat well and get enough sleep#N#• Stay hydrated#N#You can also prevent the flu by stopping the spread of germs to others. Always cover your coughs and sneezes. And should you come down with the flu yourself, stay home to avoid spreading the virus.

How long can you be contagious with the flu?

People with the flu may be contagious anywhere between the day before to seven days after their symptoms appear.

What are the symptoms of the flu?

Headache, sudden high fever, body aches, chills, and tiredness are among the most common initial symptoms of the flu. 2 . Once you realize you may be sick with the flu, call your doctor, especially if you have asthma or an other condition that puts you at higher risk for related complications.

What is flu day?

Flu Day 0. The day before any influenza symptoms appear, you are already contagious. You feel fine and go about your daily life without realizing you are about to get sick. 1  You likely came in contact with someone who was contagious with the flu in the past 48 hours.

What to do if you cough at night?

A cough that keeps you up at night may require a prescription cough medicine. Your healthcare provider may want you to come into the office to be checked out. If you still have a cough, your healthcare provider's office may give you a mask to wear in the waiting room. This will keep you from spreading your germs to others.

What happens on day 4 of a fever?

On day four, you may start to feel a little better during the day. At this point, your fever is likely to have broken, and you shouldn't have as many body aches. Congestion may be starting to loosen up. This will make your cough more productive and possibly worse than the day before. 5

How do you get the flu?

A person can also get the flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their mouth, nose, or eyes. 2 .

How does the flu affect people in 2020?

Not everyone who gets the flu will have the same symptoms, and how sick you feel—and for how long that's the case—can vary from person to person. That said, the flu typically cycles through a set of stages and follows a usual day-by-day progression.

What is the peak month of flu activity?

The “peak month of flu activity” is the month with the highest percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for influenza virus infection during that influenza season.

When do viruses circulate?

Do other respiratory viruses circulate during the flu season? While seasonal influenza (flu) viruses are detected year-round in the United States, flu viruses are most common during the fall and winter. The exact timing and duration of flu seasons can vary, but influenza activity often begins to increase in October.

Is influenza reporting voluntary?

All influenza activity reporting by states, laboratories, and health care providers is voluntary. For more information about CDC’s influenza surveillance activities, see the Overview of Influenza Surveillance in the United States.