If you’ve come down with the flu, you’re probably wondering how long you’ll have to live with the unpleasant symptoms, like a fever, achiness, fatigue, stuffy nose, and everything else that comes with the illness. We tapped experts for insights on how long flu symptoms last, plus information on how long you’ll be contagious with the influenza virus.
Meet the Experts: Gregory Poland, M.D., professor of medicine and director of the Mayo Clinic Vaccine Research Group and Scott Braunstein, M.D., a double board-certified emergency medicine and internal medicine physician and chief medical officer at Sollis Health.
While many people opt to treat the flu with home remedies, doctors say there are some situations where it’s best to see a doctor ASAP. “If you are over 65, have children under five, are pregnant, or live with a chronic condition like asthma or diabetes, don’t wait,” says Scott Braunstein, M.D., a double board-certified emergency medicine and internal medicine physician and chief medical officer at Sollis Health. “You need an evaluation at the very first sign of symptoms.”
Below, doctors explain how long flu symptoms last, how to avoid spreading (or getting) the flu, and the signs that you should see a doctor.
How long does the flu last?
You can be sick with the flu for one to four days before you begin to experience symptoms. Then it’ll hit you—hard.
“You will be feeling relatively fine, and—boom—you are suddenly exhausted, have muscle and joint aches, and need to lie down in bed,” explains Gregory Poland, MD, professor of medicine and director of the Mayo Clinic Vaccine Research Group. That’s one telltale sign you’re dealing with the flu rather than the common cold. Flu symptoms come on much more rapidly and feel more severe.
The earliest symptoms typically include a fever, chills, muscle and body aches, and fatigue. Then, you may notice other symptoms such as a sore throat and dry cough. The fever can last two to four days, while other symptoms can last for up to a week. “You may not feel totally up to speed for more than two weeks,” Dr. Poland says.
When to see a doctor for the flu
While you may be able to treat a flu at home with plenty of rest, fluids, and OTC pain relievers, see a doctor if your fever continues to rise, you don’t feel better within three to five days of first noticing your symptoms, you have shortness of breath, and/or you cough up green sputum.
Dr. Braunstein notes that if you’re looking to shorten the length of time you’re ill, you should see a doctor within the first 48 hours of your symptoms appearing. “This is the optimal timeline to prescribe antivirals like Tamiflu, which stop the virus from replicating, shorten the illness by a day or two, and prevent complications. After 48 hours, these medications can become less effective,” he explains.
Certain symptoms mean you need to seek emergency care. “If you experience red-flag symptoms like difficulty breathing, persistent chest pain, confusion, or severe dehydration, you should bypass a standard visit and seek immediate emergency care,” says Dr. Braunstein.
But how long is the flu contagious for?
Before you even experience symptoms of the flu, you are contagious. You can pass the virus from about a day before the first symptoms show up until about five to seven days after. Children with the flu may be contagious for longer than a week.
Since you can spread the flu virus for so long, it’s important to stay home if you are sick. “As soon as you are aware of any symptoms, you should not be in school or at work,” Dr. Poland says. “Return when you are no longer coughing and no longer have a fever.” Going back to your normal routine—including any exercise—too early can hamper your recovery. Practicing common-sense hygiene, such as washing your hands frequently and sneezing or coughing into a tissue, will go a long way.
If you must leave the house while ill, consider buying a face mask. According to the CDC, wearing a mask can lower the risk of respiratory virus transmission. And as Dr. Poland notes, you can’t accidentally put your finger in your nose or mouth when you’re wearing one, which can help limit transmission.
For those who aren’t sick and want to stay that way, getting your flu shot as early as you can is your best first-line defense against the influenza virus—not only for your own health, but also for those around you. And it’s important to get one every year, since the vaccine changes based on the strains researchers believe to be most prominent.
Other simple practices, like washing your hands and avoiding touching your face can help keep you healthy during cold and flu season. “The average American is putting their finger in their eyes, nose, or mouth every 15 to 30 seconds, so you want to avoid that,” Dr. Poland says.
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