Diagnosis

Your healthcare professional will do a physical exam, look for symptoms of flu and possibly order a test that detects influenza viruses.

During times when flu is widespread, you may not need to be tested for it. Your healthcare team may diagnose you based on your symptoms.

In some cases, your healthcare professional may suggest that you be tested for influenza. There is a range of tests to diagnose flu. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing is becoming more common in many hospitals and labs. This test may be done while you're in your healthcare professional's office or in the hospital. PCR testing is more sensitive than other tests and may be able to identify the influenza strain.

It's possible to have a test to diagnose both flu and COVID-19. You may have both COVID-19 and influenza at the same time.

Treatment

Usually, you'll need nothing more than rest and plenty of fluids to treat the flu. But if you have a severe infection or are at higher risk of complications, your healthcare professional may prescribe an antiviral medicine to treat the flu.

These medicines can include oseltamivir (Tamiflu), baloxavir (Xofluza) and zanamivir (Relenza).

Oseltamivir and baloxavir are taken by mouth. Zanamivir is inhaled using a device similar to an asthma inhaler. Zanamivir shouldn't be used by anyone with certain chronic respiratory problems, such as asthma and lung disease.

People who are in the hospital may be prescribed peramivir (Rapivab), which is given in a vein.

These medicines may shorten your illness by a day or so and help prevent serious complications.

Antiviral medicine side effects may include nausea and vomiting. These side effects may be lessened if the medicine is taken with food.

Lifestyle and home remedies

If you have the flu, these measures may help ease your symptoms:

  • Drink plenty of liquids. Choose water, juice and warm soups to prevent dehydration.
  • Rest. Get more sleep to help your immune system fight infection. You may need to change your activity level, depending on your symptoms.
  • Consider pain relievers. Use acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), to combat the fever, headache or achiness associated with influenza. Children and teens recovering from flu-like symptoms should never take aspirin because of the risk of Reye's syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal condition.

To help control the spread of influenza in your community, stay home and keep sick children home until the fever has been gone, without the use of medicine, for 24 hours. Unless you're going to a medical appointment, avoid being around other people until you're feeling better. If you do need to leave your home to get medical care, wear a face mask. Wash your hands often.