Influenza

When To Call a Doctor

Call 911 or other emergency services if:

• A baby younger than 3 months has a high fever.
• You are having trouble breathing or feel very short of breath.
• You have a severe headache or stiff neck and are confused or having trouble staying awake.

Call your doctor if:

• You have an extremely high fever.
• Your fever lasts for longer than 3 days.
• You are finding it harder and harder to breathe.
• Wheezing develops.
• New pain develops or pain localizes to one area, such as an ear, the throat, the chest, or the sinuses.
• Symptoms persist in spite of home treatment.
• Symptoms become more severe or frequent.

Watchful Waiting

In most healthy people, the flu will go away in 5 to 7 days, although fatigue can last much longer. Although you may feel very sick, home treatment is usually all that is needed. If it is flu season, you may just want to treat your symptoms at home. Watch closely for symptoms of a bacterial infection, such as nasal drainage that changes from clear to colored after 5 to 7 days and symptoms that return or get worse.

Early treatment (within 48 hours of your first symptoms) with antiviral medications may reduce the severity of influenza. However, it is not certain whether antiviral medications can prevent serious flu-related complications.³ Babies, older adults, and people who have chronic health problems are more likely to have complications from the flu, and they may need to see a doctor for care beyond home treatment. Also, not all antiviral medicines work against all strains of the flu. Talk to your doctor if you think you may need an antiviral medicine.⁴

Call your doctor if you think your symptoms are caused by something other than the flu.

Who To See

These doctors can diagnose and treat the flu:

• Family physician
• Internist
• Pediatrician
• Nurse practitioner
• Physician assistant

A doctor who specializes in treating infectious diseases may be needed if the diagnosis is not clear or if severe complications develop.

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment

Go to previous section	Go to top of page	Go to next section
Author:	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC	Last Updated: September 29, 2006
Medical Review:	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease
© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.