Flu how long does cough last

For example, people with lung conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD may find that their symptoms become more severe when they get the flu. In people with diabetes , flu can affect blood sugar levels, potentially causing hyperglycaemia high blood sugar or, in people with type 1 diabetes , diabetic ketoacidosis a dangerous condition caused by a lack of insulin in the body.

If you get flu while you're pregnant, there's a risk that the infection could cause problems with your pregnancy. Flu may cause you to go into premature labour before 37 weeks of pregnancy , or it may result in your baby having a low birth weight. Occasionally, getting flu during pregnancy can result in a miscarriage or stillbirth. Taking the antiviral medicines oseltamivir Tamiflu or zanamivir Relenza to prevent flu is recommended if all of the following apply:.

If there's an outbreak of flu in a residential or nursing home — where the flu virus can often spread very quickly — antiviral medication may be offered to people if they've been in contact with someone with confirmed flu. Home Illnesses and conditions Infections and poisoning Flu. Flu See all parts of this guide Hide guide parts 1. About flu 2. Symptoms of flu 3. Treating flu 4. Complications of flu 5. Preventing flu. About flu Flu influenza is a common infectious viral illness spread by coughs and sneezes.

Flu symptoms Some of the main symptoms of flu include: a high temperature fever of 38C Flu-like illness self-help guide If you have a flu-like illness, complete our self-help guide to assess your symptoms and find out what to do next.

What to do If you're otherwise fit and healthy, there's usually no need to see your GP if you have flu-like symptoms. Read more about treating flu at home When to see your GP Consider visiting your GP if: you're 65 years of age or over you're pregnant you have a long-term medical condition — such as diabetes , heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease or a neurological disease you have a weakened immune system — for example because you're having chemotherapy or have HIV you develop chest pain, shortness of breath , difficulty breathing or start coughing up blood your symptoms are getting worse over time or haven't improved after a week In these situations, you may need medication to treat or prevent complications of flu.

Read more about antiviral medication for flu How long does flu last and is it serious? If you have flu, you generally start to feel ill within a few days of being infected. Read more about the complications of flu How you catch flu The flu virus is contained in the millions of tiny droplets that come out of the nose and mouth when someone who is infected coughs or sneezes. Preventing the spread of flu You can help stop yourself catching flu or spreading it to others with good hygiene measures.

Always wash your hands regularly with soap and warm water, as well as: regularly cleaning surfaces such as your computer keyboard, telephone and door handles to get rid of germs using tissues to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze putting used tissues in a bin as soon as possible You can also help stop the spread of flu by avoiding unnecessary contact with other people while you're infectious.

Read more about how to stop the spread of flu What's the difference between a cold and a flu? Symptoms of flu The symptoms of flu usually develop within 1 to 3 days of becoming infected. However, you may have a lingering cough and still feel very tired for a further couple of weeks.

Main symptoms Flu can give you any of the following symptoms: a sudden fever — a temperature of 38C The main differences are: Flu symptoms: come on quickly usually include fever and aching muscles make you feel too unwell to continue your usual activities Cold symptoms: come on gradually mainly affect your nose and throat are fairly mild, so you can still get around and are usually well enough to go to work When to visit your GP If you are otherwise fit and healthy, there's usually no need to visit your GP if you have flu-like symptoms.

Read more about how to treat flu Consider visiting your GP if: you're 65 years of age or over you're pregnant you have a long-term medical condition — such as diabetes , heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease or a neurological disease you have a weakened immune system — for example, because you're having chemotherapy or have HIV you develop chest pain, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, or start coughing up blood your symptoms are getting worse over time or haven't improved after a week In these situations, you may need extra treatment to prevent or treat complications of flu.

Treating flu Usually, you can manage flu symptoms yourself at home and there's no need to see a GP. This includes people who: are 65 or over are pregnant have a lung, heart, kidney, liver or neurological disease have a weakened immune system have diabetes In these cases, your GP may suggest taking antiviral medication.

Managing your symptoms at home If you're otherwise healthy, you can look after yourself at home by resting, keeping warm and drinking plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Antiviral medication In , the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence NICE recommended that doctors should consider treating people in the at-risk groups mentioned above with the antiviral medications oseltamivir Tamiflu or zanamivir Relenza to reduce the risk of complications of flu.

Antibiotics Antibiotics aren't prescribed for flu as they have no effect on viruses, although they may be prescribed if you develop a complication of flu, such as a bacterial chest infection.

Complications of flu Complications of flu mostly affect people in high-risk groups, such as the elderly, pregnant women and those who have a long-term medical condition or weakened immune system.

Chest infections The most common complication of flu is a bacterial chest infection , such as bronchitis. Worsening of existing conditions In some people with long-term health conditions, getting flu can make their condition worse.

Antiviral medications, if started in the first 2 days after symptoms start, can shorten the length of your illness.

These need to be prescribed by your doctor. Decongestants and simple pain relievers can help you feel better while your body's immune system fights off the infection. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. Around 75 per cent of Melbourne's air pollution is caused by vehicle emissions. Anthrax is a rare but potentially fatal bacterial disease that occasionally infects humans. The Western obsession with cleanliness may be partly responsible for the increase in allergic asthma and conditions such as rhinitis.

Careful prescribing of antibiotics will minimise the emergence of antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria. When asbestos fibres become airborne, people working with asbestos may inhale particles which remain in their lungs. Content on this website is provided for information purposes only.

Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances.

The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Skip to main content. Home Infections. Flu influenza. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. What is the flu influenza? How can I avoid the flu? I think I have the flu — should I see a doctor? When to seek medical attention How can I avoid giving the flu to other people? What medications should I take for the flu?

Tips for buying over-the-counter medications Looking after yourself when you have the flu Other useful tips for flu recovery Where to get help. In Canada, thousands of people are hospitalized and may die from influenza and its complications during years with widespread or epidemic influenza activity.

Getting an influenza vaccine can help prevent you from getting sick with influenza and from spreading it to others.

Influenza spreads easily from person to person through coughing, sneezing or face-to-face contact. The virus can also spread when a person touches tiny droplets from the cough or sneeze of an infected person or object and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands. An infected person can spread the influenza virus even before feeling sick. An adult can spread the virus from about 1 day before to 5 days after symptoms start. Young children may be able to spread the virus for a longer period of time.

Influenza symptoms can include fever, headache, muscle pain, runny nose, sore throat, extreme tiredness and cough. Children may also experience nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Although infections from other viruses may have similar symptoms, those due to the influenza virus tend to be worse.

Symptoms can begin about 1 to 4 days, or an average of 2 days, after a person is first exposed to the influenza virus. Fever and other symptoms can usually last up to 7 to 10 days, but the cough and weakness may last 1 to 2 weeks longer.

If you get sick with influenza, home treatment can help ease symptoms. Follow the self-care advice below:.