Influenza (Seasonal Flu)-Treatment Overview In most healthy people, influenza (flu) will go away in 5 to 7 days. The worst symptoms usually last 3 to 4 days. Home treatment to ease symptoms and prevent complications is usually all that is needed.

But some people need treatment in the hospital. They may have severe symptoms or get pneumonia. Or the flu infection may make an existing health problem worse.

Antiviral medicines may help:

• 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 a doctor within 48 hours of their first symptoms to find out whether they need medicine to shorten the illness. They also should call a doctor to receive medicine if they have been exposed to the flu.

Flu: Should I Take Antiviral Medicine?

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