Treating the Flu

Most healthy people recover from the flu without complications.

How should the flu be treated?

• Get rest
• Drink plenty of liquids
• Avoid using alcohol and tobacco
• Take medication to relieve the symptoms of flu (never give aspirin to children or teenagers who have flu-like symptoms)

Will antibiotics help?

Antibiotics cannot prevent flu. Antibiotics won't help with the usual care of flu. They work only on infections caused by bacteria. Flu is caused by a virus. Don't ask your doctor for antibiotics to prevent or treat flu.

Are there medicines to prevent or treat flu?

In some cases, your physician may choose to use certain antiviral drugs to prevent or treat the flu. Called antivirals, these medicines can reduce flu symptoms by at least one day if they are taken within two days of getting sick. Antivirals also make you less contagious to others. Your doctor will consider a number of things before making a treatment decision, such as your risk for complications from the flu.