Treatment

Most healthy people recover from the flu without complications. If you get the flu:

• Stay home from work or school.
• Get lots of rest, drink plenty of liquids, and avoid using alcohol and tobacco.
• There are over-the-counter (OTC) medications to relieve the symptoms of the flu (but never give aspirin to children or teenagers who have flu-like symptoms, particularly fever).
• Remember that serious illness from the flu is more likely in certain groups of people including people 65 and older, pregnant women, people with certain chronic medical conditions and young children.
• Consult your doctor early on for the best treatment, but also be aware of emergency warning signs that require urgent medical attention.

Antiviral drugs are an important second line of defense against the flu.

• If you do get the flu, antiviral drugs are an important treatment option. (They are not a substitute for vaccination.)
• Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaler) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body.
• Antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. This could be especially important for people at high risk.
• For treatment, antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days of symptoms).