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Flu Treatment After a Week

The flu, or influenza, is a common respiratory viral infection. Symptoms include fever, cough, headaches, chills and sweats, fatigue, nasal congestion and aches and pains. Although it is a common infection, it can be serious. More than 36,000 people die from the flu or complications each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The flu vaccine can greatly reduce the chances of getting the flu. If you do get the flu, antiviral drugs taken in the first few days can help. Otherwise symptoms will usually dissipate in about a week.

  1. Rest

    • If you get the flu and are still feeling sick after more than a week, continue to get as much rest as possible. Taking it easy and cutting back on your regular schedule gives your immune system a chance to fight the infection and your body a chance to recover. Stay home from work or school both to avoid infecting others and to give yourself a chance to get better. Drink plenty of fluids to keep your body hydrated, especially if you have a fever.

    Cough

    • In many cases, a dry, hacking cough will continue to bother flu sufferers even after other symptoms have gone away. Over-the-counter cough medications and suppressants can help if a cough continues to bother you. For many people, the cough can be worse at night, making sleep difficult. Taking a cough medication before going to sleep at night can help you get a good night's sleep, and rest can help you get better sooner.

    Medications

    • In some people, a slight fever will return once they have had the flu for about a week. This is common and no cause for concern, but a fever-reducing medication such as acetaminophen can help lower your temperature and make you more comfortable. Some people may also be bothered by aches and pains or headaches in the late stages of recovering from the flu. Acetaminophen and other pain-relieving medicines, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, can help. However, never give aspirin to children because it can cause Reye's syndrome, a serious and potentially deadly condition.

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