In most healthy people, influenza will go away in 7 to 10 days. The worst symptoms usually last 3 to 4 days. Home treatment to ease symptoms and prevent complications is usually all that is needed.
Antiviral medications can be taken to:
- Reduce the severity and duration of symptoms caused by infection with influenza A or B virus.
- Shorten the length of the illness.
- Control outbreaks of the flu in nursing homes.
- Reduce the spread of the virus to people at high risk for severe complications of the flu (high-risk groups).
- Reduce complications from the flu.
People at high risk of complications are encouraged to contact their doctor within 48 hours of their first symptoms to find out whether they need medication to shorten their illness. They also should call the doctor to receive medication if they have been exposed to the flu. See the Medications section of this topic for more information.
If medications are not used, contact your doctor if signs of a complication develop.
For more information about influenza treatments, click here.
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