Your guide to treatment for influenza

Influenza, commonly known as flu, is a respiratory condition caused by the influenza virus. It usually circulates from the fall to spring seasons and can cause a range of symptoms, including:

• fever
• coughing
• muscle aches
• headaches
• fatigue

The condition can usually resolve on its own with time, plenty of rest, and OTC medications to help ease your symptoms. In severe cases, doctors might prescribe an antiviral medication. Certain medications can also help prevent the flu.

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OTC remedies for the flu

OTC remedies can’t cure the virus causing the flu, but they can ease your symptoms while your body fights the infection. Some OTC medications for the flu include:

• Decongestants: Nasal congestion is a possible symptom of the flu due to inflammation in your nasal passageways. Decongestions aim to reduce this congestion and may come in nasal spray or oral tablet form. One common example of a decongestant is pseudoephedrine (Sudafed).
• Cough suppressants: Coughing is an annoying and uncomfortable symptom of the flu. Cough suppressants can reduce the urge to cough. One common example is dextromethorphan (Robitussin DM).
• Pain relievers: OTC pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil), and naproxen (Aleve) can help address headaches, muscle pains, and fevers associated with the flu.
• Expectorants: Expectorants can help loosen mucus that has built up in your airways. One common example is guaifenesin (Mucinex).

Some OTC medications come in combination tablet form, including a combination of the above ingredients.

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Prescription flu treatments

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most people who have the flu will only experience mild illness that doesn’t require medical treatment. However, if you have severe symptoms or you’re at increased risk of complications, doctors might decide to use prescription medications.

Because a virus causes the flu, medications like antibiotics won’t treat it effectively. Instead, doctors may use a class of drugs called antivirals. These drugs can reduce your symptoms and speed up your recovery by around 1 day.

There are currently four antiviral drugs with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to treat the flu:

• oseltamivir phosphate (Tamiflu)
• zanamivir (Relenza)
• peramivir (Rapivab)
• baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza)

Some research suggests that antivirals work best when started within 1 or 2 days of getting sick. However, if you’re at high risk for serious complications, your doctor may still recommend antivirals after 2 days of being ill.

Home remedies for the flu

In mild cases of the flu, doctors will recommend self-care strategies to manage your condition. These include:

• staying at home
• resting as much as possible
• staying hydrated

Some home remedies may also help ease your symptoms. For example, some dietary supplements, such as vitamin C and zinc, may reduce the risk and duration of respiratory infections like the flu.

Some 2020 research suggests that oral vitamin C may ease symptoms and reduce the duration of infections like flu, and a 2019 paper suggests that vitamin C may even have antiviral properties.

You may also want to try honey or salt water gargles to ease coughing and sore throats.

Flu prevention

Preventing flu can involve practicing good hygiene, like washing your hands regularly. Supporting your immune system with diet, exercise, and hydration can also help. However, a vaccine is also available that can help prevent flu and reduce its severity if you do contract it.

The CDC recommends that everyone over 6 months should get the flu vaccine every year during flu season, which generally starts in October in the United States. Vaccination is particularly important for people at a higher risk of serious complications, such as people with a weakened immune system.

In some cases, doctors might prescribe antivirals after exposure to the flu virus to help prevent you from developing the illness. This is known as postexposure prophylaxis, and the drugs for this include oseltamivir phosphate (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza).

According to some 2024 research, postexposure prophylaxis can be very effective in decreasing the risk of influenza illness in people at high risk of serious symptoms.

Online care for the flu

Most cases of the flu won’t require medical treatment. However, if you’re at high risk of complications or severe illness, doctors might prescribe antivirals. This can sometimes be before you develop the illness, but after you’ve been in contact with someone with the virus.

Online care services, including Optum Perks Online Care, may make getting treatment easier. With these services, you can submit an online form answering a few questions about your symptoms, and a US-licensed healthcare professional will respond soon after to prescribe a treatment plan.

Summary

The flu is a common respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. It usually happens in the fall and winter seasons and can cause uncomfortable symptoms like fever, muscle aches, and coughing.

Most cases of flu won’t need medical treatment. You can use self-care remedies like rest and hydration and try OTC medications like pain relievers or cough suppressants. However, in some cases, doctors might prescribe antiviral medications.

Doctors may prescribe antivirals if you’re at risk of serious complications or severe illness. These can also help prevent the illness after exposure to the virus.

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