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Flu Treatment

What to do if you have the flu:

  • Rest in bed
  • Drink lots of fluids
  • Take non-aspirin pain relievers such as acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (e.g. Advil®, Motrin®, etc.). Children and teens with the flu should never take aspirin as they may develop a rare, but serious disease called Reye syndrome
  • Stay home and avoid public activities until your symptoms are resolved (usually 5-7 days)
  • Talk with your health care provider if you are considering prescription drugs as they can have serious side effects in some people
  • For extreme cases, visit your health care provider or the emergency department as soon as possible

When to see a health care provider:

You should see a health care provider or go to an emergency room immediately if you have any of the symptoms below:

  • Severe or prolonged flu symptoms
  • Rapid or labored breathing, or bluish skin
  • Pain or difficulty breathing
  • Prolonged cough
  • Becoming sick again with fever and/or a worse cough after flu symptoms have improved
  • Not drinking enough fluids