Get your annual flu shot, practice basic hygiene (handwashing, masks when sick), and start antiviral treatment early if you’re high‑risk or very ill – antivirals shorten illness and lower complications when used promptly.
Why prevention matters
Flu can be serious. Annual vaccination is the single best way to reduce your risk of getting sick and of severe outcomes like hospitalization. Simple daily habits – handwashing, staying home when sick, improving indoor air – also cut spread and protect people who are vulnerableCDC.
How well the vaccine works
Vaccine effectiveness varies by season and strain, but recent U.S. data show the 2024–25 vaccine reduced medically attended flu and hospitalizations across age groups, supporting vaccination for everyone 6 months and older.
Who’s at higher risk
People most likely to have complications include young children, adults 65+, pregnant people, and those with chronic conditions (asthma, heart disease, diabetes, weakened immune systems) – they should seek care early if symptoms start.
Quick guide: when to call a doctor
- Call now if you have trouble breathing, chest pain, severe dizziness, confusion, or signs of dehydration.
- Start antivirals promptly if you’re hospitalized, very sick, or high‑risk – don’t wait for test results.
Medications: what helps, pros/cons, side effects
| Medication | Form | Pros | Cons | Common side effects |
| Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) | Oral pill/liquid | Widely recommended; approved for infants ≥2 weeks; reduces illness duration when started early | Must be taken twice daily for 5 days; supply can fluctuate | Nausea, vomiting; rare neuropsychiatric events |
| Baloxavir (Xofluza) | Single oral dose | Single‑dose convenience; may reduce hospital visits in some studies | Not recommended in pregnancy/breastfeeding; limited data in hospitalized patients | Diarrhea, nausea; possible resistance concerns |
| Zanamivir (Relenza) | Inhaled powder | Alternative for some patients; effective if used early | Not for people with asthma/COPD; inhaled route | Cough, throat irritation; bronchospasm risk |
| Peramivir (Rapivab) | IV infusion | Single IV dose for those who can’t take oral meds | Requires healthcare setting for infusion | Diarrhea, neutropenia (rare) |
| OTC symptom meds (acetaminophen/ibuprofen, decongestants) | Oral | Relieve fever, aches, congestion; easy access | Treat symptoms only; watch dosing and interactions | Stomach upset (NSAIDs), liver risk (acetaminophen) |
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Practical home care
- Rest and hydration. Sleep and fluids support your immune system and help thin mucus; aim for water, broths, and electrolyte drinks if you can’t eat much.
- Symptom relief. Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever and aches (follow dosing on the label). Avoid aspirin in children because of Reye syndrome risk.
- Antiviral treatment for eligible people. If you’re high‑risk (young children, 65+, pregnant, chronic conditions) or very sick, contact your clinician immediately—antivirals work best when started within 48 hours of symptoms.
- Isolation and masking. Stay home and avoid contact with others until 24 hours after fever resolves without fever‑reducing meds; wear a mask around household members if you must be near them.
- Cleaner air and surface hygiene. Open windows, use HEPA filtration if available, and disinfect high‑touch surfaces; wash hands frequently or use alcohol hand rubs.
- Caring for children and dependents. Minimize face‑to‑face time, hold children so they don’t cough in your face, and monitor for emergency signs (fast breathing, poor fluid intake, confusion).
Risks and trade‑offs
| Action | Benefit | When to use | Risks / Trade‑offs |
| Rest & fluids | Speeds recovery | All cases | May need help with chores/childcare |
| Antivirals | Shorten illness, reduce complications | High‑risk or severe; within 48 hrs | Must access clinician quickly; side effects possible |
| Masking & isolation | Protects others | While symptomatic and 24 hrs after fever | Work/childcare disruption |
| Fever reducers | Comfort, lower fever | For high fever or pain | Masks worsening signs; dosing errors risk |
| Air cleaning & disinfection | Lowers household spread | When caring for sick person | Cost, logistics |
When to escalate. Emergency signs – difficulty breathing, chest pain, severe dizziness, persistent vomiting, confusion, or signs of dehydration – require immediate medical attention; waiting risks rapid deterioration.
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- Preliminary Flu Vaccine Effectiveness (VE) Data for 2024-2025
- Interim Estimates of 2024–2025 Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness — Four Vaccine Effectiveness Networks, United States, October 2024–February 2025 | MMWR
- Baloxavir Outperforms Oseltamivir in Reducing Flu Hospitalisations
- Baloxavir reduces flu-related hospitalizations more than oseltamivir
- Influenza Antiviral Medications: Summary for Clinicians
- Treating Flu with Antiviral Drugs | Influenza (Flu) | CDC
- Clinical practice guidelines for influenza
- Influenza (flu) – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic
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- Tamiflu Side Effects: Common, Severe, Long Term
- People at Increased Risk for Flu Complications | Influenza (Flu) | CDC.