How Long Does It Take to Get over the Flu?

The flu, or "influenza virus infection," is a highly contagious airborne disease. It can be lethal, especially in weak individuals. In the U.S. alone, seasonal influenza accounts for approximately 36,000 deaths every year.

Causes

• Influenza results from infection with one of three types of Orthomyxoviruses. From the most severe to the least, they are influenza A, B and C.

Symptoms

• Illness is abrupt. Typical symptoms include headache, feverishness, chills, malaise, dry cough, muscle aches, sore throat, loss of appetite and chest pain.

Time Frame

• Upon infection, the virus incubates for one to four days. Symptoms then appear and run their course for 7 to 10 days, but can last longer in young children.

Treatment

• Avoiding close contact with infected people, and coupling bed rest with home remedies and over-the-counter medicines should help get rid of the flu within two weeks.

Considerations

• Recovery should be spontaneous. Call a doctor if flu symptoms don't improve within two weeks, if they get worse or if an underlying condition gets worse.

Misconceptions

• Antibiotics don't help treat the flu, as commonly believed, but some antiviral drugs can reduce symptoms when administered within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms.