How long does the flu last for

Cold and flu season may be nastier than usual this year, experts say. Beyond getting your flu shot, it doesn’t hurt to brush up on the basics of influenza so you know what to expect if you do get sick this year.

One thought that might come up if you start to feel really crummy (and test negative for COVID): How long does the flu last?

Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, Neha Vyas, MD, a family medicine physician at the Cleveland Clinic, tells SELF. The flu can hit you like a ton of bricks, but the duration of this feeling largely depends on your personal health (and how you take care of yourself when you start to feel sick).

Before we jump into the specifics, let us remind you again: Please try to get your flu shot and your updated COVID booster by the end of October, both of which can help protect you and vulnerable people around you. “The more people who get the vaccine, the more the risk goes down in that community,” Dr. Vyas explains. “It’ll protect people.”

That said, if you do come down with the flu, you can expect to be out of commission for at least a few days. Here’s what you should know as we settle into the colder months.

How long does the flu last for most people?

If you’re under the age of 65 and generally healthy, you can probably expect the worst of your flu symptoms—which can include fever or chills, cough, sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, and heavy fatigue—to last between three to seven days, Dr. Vyas says. For adults who got their flu shot, it’ll likely take closer to three days for symptoms to start easing up; for unvaccinated people, it might take longer.

That said, it’s not uncommon to feel exhausted for a while or end up with a lingering cough, so it can take up to two weeks to really start feeling like yourself again, per Dr. Vyas. Symptoms may be stubborn for anyone but can be especially persistent for people who fall into a high-risk group, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The flu may be more severe or last longer for children, older adults, pregnant people, and people who have underlying conditions that may impact their immunity or respiratory health, such as diabetes, heart disease, or asthma, among others.

Can you make your flu symptoms go away faster?

Wouldn’t that be lovely? Sorry to break the bad news, but there’s no quick or easy way to recover from the flu. While antiviral drugs are available for people who face a higher risk of complications, like pneumonia, these medications don’t make sense for everyone to take, Dr. Vyas says. They also require a prescription, so you’ll want to talk to your doctor about whether this is an option for you.

If you’re otherwise generally healthy, you’ll basically have to wait on your body to do its job and recover on its own—so expect to ease into some downtime. You can actually drag out your symptoms by trying to push through the illness, Dr. Vyas says. “You need to take a rest to recover,” she explains.

This means getting plenty of sleep, drinking lots of fluids (soup counts!), avoiding alcohol, and taking over-the-counter cold and flu meds if you’re feeling extra miserable, Dr. Vyas says. Also, this is the time to stay home and away from other people—especially people who are high-risk like a grandparent or baby cousin. “We generally don’t recommend people to go back to work until they’ve been fever-free for 24 hours,” Dr. Vyas explains.

We get it: Nobody wants to be stuck in bed for days—but that’s usually the best-case scenario if you catch this bug. So, to keep you and your loved ones safe, make sure you’re washing your hands frequently (and keeping unwashed hands away from your face); disinfect high-touch surfaces in your home often; cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze; consider wearing a face mask in crowded public spaces; and google “flu shot near me” to schedule your appointment if you haven’t already.

Related:

• I Don’t Feel Sick Anymore—But Is My Cold Still Contagious?
• Here’s Why a Post-COVID Cough Can Last So Miserably Long
• 6 Strategies to Help You Avoid Getting Sick While Traveling

When symptoms like a sore throat and stuffy nose set in, you often wonder two things: What is this, and how long will it last?

You could be dealing with allergies, a cold, or the flu, and each has a different timeline.

In the case of the flu, unfortunately, you may be downright miserable for a few days.

To help you prepare, in this article, we’ll break down the lifecycle of the flu, including how long you may experience symptoms, when you are contagious, and how long you should avoid interacting with others.

We’ll also advise when you should consider seeing a doctor. This way, you’ll be armed and ready for flu season. 

Concerned you have the flu? Chat with a doctor today for just $35

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Influenza (Flu) Basics

The flu (the illness caused by influenza viruses) is a respiratory virus that’s transmitted from person to person when an infected person speaks, coughs, or sneezes, sending tiny droplets containing the virus into the air.

The flu can also spread through kissing, sharing utensils, or touching contaminated surfaces and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes. 

Symptoms of the flu typically come on quickly.

The most common symptoms are:

• Fatigue or weakness
• Fever or chills 
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• Cough
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sore throat
• Vomiting and diarrhea (though this is less common)

Influenza viruses are active year-round, but you are most vulnerable during flu season, when cases rise.

This season typically begins in the fall (generally October) and ends in the spring (generally April or May). 

Because there’s no cure or effective treatment for the flu, prevention is important.

Practice proper hygiene, get the flu vaccine, wear masks, and avoid others who are ill. 

How Long the Flu Lasts

For healthy individuals, the flu is typically a fairly short-term illness, lasting no longer than a week or two.

Luckily, you won’t feel miserable the entire time.

Below is a timeline of a bout of the flu.

Incubation period

The time from when you’re exposed to a virus until symptoms first begin is called the incubation period.

For the flu, this takes 1-4 days, with an average of two days.

This means you may be contagious a day or two before symptoms start and can unknowingly spread the virus during that time.

Symptoms appear

Symptoms like cough, sore throat, fever, and runny nose generally show up 1-4 days after being exposed to the influenza virus.

Not everyone has the same symptoms, and certain symptoms, like vomiting and diarrhea, are more common in children or with certain strains of the flu.

If your symptoms are severe or you are immunocompromised, consider talking to a doctor or healthcare provider at this time. 

Symptoms peak

Flu symptoms generally peak 2-4 days after they begin, then begin to gradually improve on their own.

You are also most contagious 3-4 days after symptoms start. 

Symptoms taper off

For otherwise healthy individuals, flu symptoms typically begin tapering off five days after they start.

However, coughing and a general “sick” feeling may last for more than two weeks, especially for the elderly and those with chronic lung disease. 

Recovery

With rest, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, and plenty of fluids, you’ll be on the road to recovery in no time.

However, even as you begin to feel better, it’s important to stay away from others for a little while to ensure you don’t spread the flu.

You are contagious from 5-7 days after symptoms emerge, so it’s best to stay home for a week after you first begin feeling sick.

If fever is one of your symptoms, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone. 

Concerned you have the flu? Chat with a doctor today for just $35

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When to See a Doctor

With proper self-care, the flu typically goes away on its own, especially if you are otherwise healthy.

However, certain high-risk people should seek medical care when they come down with the flu to help watch for and prevent any serious complications such as pneumonia.

This includes: 

• Adults 65 and older
• Anyone with chronic illnesses (especially those that affect the lungs or immune system)
• Pregnant people
• Very young children with severe symptoms

Antiviral medications can help make flu symptoms go away about one day faster.

However, these need to be started within 72 hours of symptoms appearing, they can have bothersome side effects, and they do not prevent serious complications like hospitalization, pneumonia, or death.

Your healthcare provider can help you determine if these medications are right for you.

How K Health Can Help

Did you know you can get affordable primary care with the K Health app?

Download K Health to check your symptoms, explore conditions and treatments, and if needed text with a doctor or licensed advanced practice practitioner in minutes.

K Health’s AI-powered app is HIPAA compliant and based on 20 years of clinical data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest way to recover from the flu?

The best thing you can do to recover from the flu as fast as possible is to stay hydrated, rest, and isolate. There is no cure for the flu, antibiotics are ineffective against it, and antiviral medications like oseltamivir (Tamiflu) only make symptoms go away about one day more quickly and can have side effects. Over-the-counter medications may provide some relief from symptoms, but they do not make the flu go away any faster.

How long does immunity to the flu last after getting sick?

Because there are so many different strains, it’s hard to say how long immunity to the flu lasts after getting sick. On the other hand, if you get the flu shot, you’re protected against multiple variations of the virus for about six months.

How long should you stay at home with the flu?

Because the flu easily spreads from person to person, it’s important to stay home when you may be contagious. Generally, this is from a day before and up to seven days after symptoms start. So stay home for a week after you first feel sick to help keep others safe.

K Health articles are all written and reviewed by MDs, PhDs, NPs, or PharmDs and are for informational purposes only. This information does not constitute and should not be relied on for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.

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