11 Things You Should Do at the First Sign of Flu

How you take care of yourself when flu symptoms start can make a difference in how long the symptoms of the virus last.

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Take the flu seriously

Influenza—not to be confused with the common cold—is a serious disease, sickening up to half a million and killing up to 79,000 people in the US over the past decade, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The severity of the disease varies from year to year but one thing is for certain: You have to take influenza seriously. And that starts with knowing what to do as soon as you start feeling the tell-tale symptoms of the flu:

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First, try to prevent it by getting a flu shot

“The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year,” says Niket Sonpal, MD, a New York City-based internist and gastroenterologist. While a flu shot will help decrease your chances of getting the flu it is still possible to contract the virus, so make sure to take extra precautions (like the ones outlined here) in addition to getting vaccinated, especially if you start to feel the symptoms associated with the flu. In general, flu shots are a way to help reduce symptoms and hopefully prevent hospitalizations and deaths, rather than a guarantee that people won’t get sick at all.

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How to know if you’re getting the flu

Dr. Sonpal says the first signs of flu can include feeling feverish, having chills, a cough, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, fatigue, and vomiting or diarrhea (though the last two tend to happen more in children than adults). If you have one or more of these symptoms talk to your doctor to see if you have the flu and follow these early treatment tips. Here are 10 signs your flu might be deadly.

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Wash your hands

If you are starting to feel like you might have a cold or the flu, washing your hands can reduce the risk of spreading the virus to others. “This is an easy way to stop the spreading of germs,” Dr. Sonpal says. In fact, a study published in Medicine found that good hand washing hygiene significantly reduced the risk of getting the common cold or flu. Check out the 10 ways you’re washing your hands wrong.

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Rest

Stop exercising and try not to over-exert yourself, recommends Dr. Sonpal. Trying to keep up with your regular routine will only dehydrate you and make your symptoms worse. “Remember there is no quick fix for the flu, and many people don’t feel completely back to normal for about three weeks,” Dr. Sonpal adds. Here are 9 ways to prepare for the flu before it hits.

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Don’t ask for antibiotics

“Antibiotics don’t kill viruses,” Dr. Sonpal says. “Although many people believe their favorite antibiotic will cure any illness they have, that just isn’t the case.” If you catch your flu within the first 48 hours of infection, your doctor may prescribe Tamiflu, an antiviral medication that can shorten the lifespan of your flu; however, says Dr. Sonpal, in most patients it only saves about one day of illness.

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Try over-the-counter pain relievers

What will ease your flu symptoms are OTC pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, especially if you have a fever. It can help reduce your symptoms and provide flu relief. Dr. Sonpal says to use these as directed on the label, as getting the proper dosage is key to relieving body aches, headaches, and pain symptoms related to the flu. Check out four home remedies doctors use for pain relief.

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Get more sleep

Sleeping helps lessen the effects of the flu and helps you recover faster. It’s not just the physical rest — giving your brain a break could help enhance your defenses, according to an animal study published in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity. Researchers found that a protein produced by the brain during sleep helped speed up the recovery of mice with influenza.

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Make sure not to overdo it on the vitamins

It’s fine to continue taking your daily multivitamin if you feel up to it but be aware that taking too many vitamins can have negative effects. “Ultra-high doses of vitamin C can cause diarrhea,” says Dr. Sonpal. “Although a few studies suggest vitamin C might shorten the duration of a cold, other studies contradict this, and no major studies show benefit for influenza.” Research suggests that zinc may speed recovery. (Find out the other vitamin myths you should stop believing.)

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Fuel with food

“If you are able to eat, stock up on foods that can help boost your immune system,” recommends Dr. Sonpal. This includes yogurt, fruits like blueberries and vegetables like broccoli. For those feeling nauseous, chicken soup is another option, Dr. Sonpal adds. “Chicken soup can help reduce inflammation, clear up mucus, and ease congestion,” he says. Here are 14 foods that may help your symptoms.

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Drink up

Water is always best to keep you hydrated and help loosen up mucus, but any liquid without caffeine will do, says Dr. Sonpal. If you’re starting to have water fatigue he recommends Gatorade, ginger ale, diluted juice, broth, or decaffeinated tea.

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Skip the coffee

Coffee and tea with caffeine can dehydrate you, says Dr. Sonpal. Dehydration may make your symptoms feel worse and your sickness last longer. And while this probably goes without saying, alcohol has the same effect: Though it may be tempting, that hot toddy isn’t going to help you feel better. (You won’t believe some of these old-time remedies that were once used to treat the flu.)

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Cancel social engagements

Stay home from work, school, and all social events. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you steer clear of others for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone. Flu symptoms can start anywhere from one to two days after the virus has entered the body, meaning you could be spreading it to others before you even realize you have it. This makes it even more crucial to reschedule events the moment you start to feel off.

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Stock up on hand sanitizer

Even if you isolate yourself, chances are friends and family will come by to check on you. Protect them and you (from getting a new bug) by making sure they remember to wash their hands—or at the very least use hand sanitizer, Dr. Sonpal says. It’s a good idea to have a couple of bottles of hand sanitizer prominently placed around the house so your guests can disinfect and prevent carrying flu germs to others. Here are 13 household items that can increase your risk for the flu.

Sources
Medically reviewed by Michael Spertus, MD, on October 22, 2019

Colleen Travers
Colleen is a digital health journalist with 15 years of experience developing content for print, web, and television outlets. She’s held editorial positions with CosmoGirl.com, RealBeauty.com, FitnessMagazine.com, and DoctorOz.com, and now regularly contributes to Reader’s Digest, The Healthy, Huffington Post, Verywell Health, Shape, and more. As a digital health and wellness content consultant, she also works with brands like Fitbit, Peloton, Northwell Health, and Weight Watchers.