What Is the Duration of the Flu?

Influenza, or the flu, is a respiratory sickness caused by influenza viruses. The flu is highly contagious, and its severity can range from mild illness to hospitalization or even death. Because of this, the duration of the flu varies.

Significance

• About five to 20 percent of Americans get the flu each year. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized, and about 36,000 people die from flu-related causes annually.

Symptoms

• Flu symptoms include headache, cough, sore throat, body aches, and high fever. However, having these symptoms does not necessarily mean a person has the flu. Other illnesses, such as the cold, cause some of the same symptoms.

Duration

• Flu symptoms generally appear one to seven days after contracting the virus. Of the millions of Americans who come down with the flu each year, most get better within a week or two.

Flu Season

• The duration of flu seasons also tend to vary each year. Flu outbreaks can happen as early as October, although flu-related illnesses usually peak in January or later in the winter.

Prevention/Solution

• Experts say getting a vaccination---either in the form of a shot or nasal spray---is the best way to prevent contracting the flu. High-risk individuals, including pregnant women and healthcare workers, are especially encouraged to get vaccinated.