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Published on November 01, 2019

Five Tips for Battling the Flu

Five Tips for Battling the Flu

Chilly weather will be here soon - and so will flu season. Do you know how to recognize the flu and what to do if you get sick?

Flu Symptoms include:

  • A fever more than 100.4
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Runny or stuff nose
  • Body aches
  • Diarrhea and vomiting (more common in children)

If any of these symptoms last more than a few days, you should seek care from your primary care provider or virtually with a phone, video or e-visit. You can also hop online and reserve a time to see a provider face-to-face at Cone Health’s InstaCare location.

Flu symptoms for babies and toddlers are slightly different. Contact your pediatrician’s office to seek care.

  • Inconsolable
  • Decrease in wet diapers
  • Not eating or drinking
  • No tears when crying
  • Difficult to wake up
  • A fever for babies under three months old.

It’s the flu. What should I do?

It's the flu, what do I do?


>> Download and print this infographic.

Here are five tips for battling the flu:

  1. Stay home and avoid contact with others. Healthy people will beat the flu with rest and symptom management. Stay home and avoid contact with others until you have been without your fever for at least 24 hours.
  2. See a health care provider in the first 48 hours. Children under 5 years old, seniors over 65 years old, and anyone at risk for complications, should see a health care provider in the first 48 hours. An antiviral may assist these patients in shortening the flu by one to two days and possibly prevent complications. Reserve a spot online and walk right in to our InstaCare location, avoiding a long wait in a waiting room. Also, you can seek care from a virtual care provider that allows you the option to get medical treatment without leaving home.
  3. Create a sick room in your home for those with flu. Flu sufferers should wear a mask when coming out of the sick room. Clean surfaces often, including doorknobs, counter tops and faucet handles. Wash hands after touching linens and laundry, dishes and other belongings of those who have the flu.
  4. Drink plenty of fluids. Sip liquid every hour, eat popsicles, sip broths or soups. Do not rely on dark sodas; caffeinated teas, coffee and sodas; or alcoholic beverages as these liquids do not hydrate.
  5. Aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Take these for fever, body aches, and headaches. Do not give children under 18 years old products with aspirin.

These basic precautions will allow for a speedy recovery and also prevent the spread of the flu to those around you.