Flu

Flu Symptoms

Flu symptoms can come on suddenly and vary from person to person. Common flu symptoms include:

• Fever
• Muscle or body aches
• Extreme exhaustion or fatigue
• Headache
• Cough
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sneezing
• Sometimes a sore throat
• Vomiting or diarrhea

Fever and body aches often last for three to seven days. Cough and fatigue may last for two weeks or more.

How is the flu diagnosed?

In most cases, your provider can determine if you have the flu based on your symptoms and a physical exam. During the exam, your provider will check your throat and ears, listen to your lungs and check your temperature and pulse. Sometimes, a flu test is needed to confirm the diagnosis or determine if you have influenza A or B.

Types of Flu Tests

There are different types of tests used to diagnose the flu. For most tests, a nose swab is taken, which involves a provider inserting a cotton swab into your nose to collect a sample. The most common types of flu tests include:

• Rapid influenza diagnostic tests: Can be done at home, in a clinic or at urgent care. Results are typically available in 15–30 minutes. Positive results are usually reliable, but a negative test doesn’t always mean you are flu-free
• Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests: More accurate, often used for more complicated cases. Results may take one to two days.

Flu Treatment

Most of the time, flu can be treated at home by getting plenty of rest, drinking fluids and using over-the-counter medicine to ease symptoms.

Your provider may prescribe an antiviral medication, like Tamiflu, to help you feel better faster and make your symptoms less severe. These medications are most effective when you start them within 48 hours of your first symptoms.

If your symptoms worsen suddenly, or you experience a high fever that doesn’t improve with over-the-counter medicine, contact your provider or visit your nearest urgent care.

If you have trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion or bluish color on your lips or face, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room.

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Flu Prevention

Flu spreads through tiny droplets that pass through the air when someone coughs, sneezes or talks. Surface transmission is possible but less common than direct person-to-person spread.

You can reduce your risk of getting the flu by:

• Washing your hands regularly
• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
• Staying up to date with your flu vaccines

If you do get sick, you can prevent spreading the flu by:

• Staying home and isolating from others
• Covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze
• Washing your hands frequently

Get Your Flu Vaccine

Flu vaccines are safe, effective and available through your OSF primary care provider, urgent care clinics, local pharmacies and health departments.

If you receive your flu vaccine outside OSF, be sure to let your primary care provider know so we can update your health records.

Schedule Your Flu Shot

Find an Urgent Care Location

Not sure if the vaccine is right for you? Message your provider. They know your health history and can give you personal guidance.