{"id":15906,"date":"2020-10-06T17:33:23","date_gmt":"2020-10-06T21:33:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=15906"},"modified":"2020-10-06T17:33:23","modified_gmt":"2020-10-06T21:33:23","slug":"how-long-does-the-flu-last","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/how-long-does-the-flu-last\/","title":{"rendered":"How long does the flu last?"},"content":{"rendered":"

While the dates of flu season vary each year, it often starts in October and typically lasts until May. The good news is that the flu is preventable. You can get your yearly flu shot, keep up your hand hygiene that the coronavirus pandemic reinforced, and continue a healthy lifestyle. However, despite your best efforts, there\u2019s still a chance of getting the flu. Unfortunately, once you get it, there is no universal or quick cure. The virus has to run its course, and it will take several days to start feeling better. We will discuss how long the flu lasts and ways to find fast relief from these pesky flu symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n

How long does it usually take to get over the flu?<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201cIt takes anywhere from one to two weeks to recover from the flu fully,\u201d said <\/span>Niket Sonpal<\/span><\/a>, MD, a board-certified internist in NYC.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Fever, along with most other symptoms of the flu, will typically last anywhere from five to seven days. However, it may take longer to completely feel better. \u201cWhile your body may have already fought off the infection earlier, you still may not feel 100% up to two weeks after being exposed,” Dr. Sonpal says. “It\u2019s completely normal to feel weak and tired while your body is in recovery.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The flu is <\/span>most contagious<\/span><\/a> during the first three to four days when you start showing symptoms. However, some individuals can spread the flu a day before they even start showing symptoms, explaining why the flu can be so contagious. Most individuals who have the flu virus will no longer be infectious to others five to seven days after the start of their symptoms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Is the flu airborne?<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

How long does the flu last compared to other illnesses?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The flu virus and stomach flu are not the same things, nor do they have the same recovery time. The amount of time the stomach flu lasts on average is one to two days, but sometimes it can last up to 10 days.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The common cold, sometimes mistaken for the flu, also has different recovery times and may last two to 10 days.<\/span><\/p>\n

Influenza and COVID-19 have similar symptoms and can be difficult to distinguish from one another. Learn more about spotting the differences between coronavirus, the common cold, and influenza <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the stages of the flu?<\/span><\/h2>\n

After being exposed to the influenza virus, the infection will take one to four days to start exhibiting symptoms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThese early signs often include fever or chills, headache, sore throat, dry cough, runny nose, muscle aches, and fatigue,\u201d explains Dr. Sonpal. \u201cThe beginning of the flu is when the symptoms are at their most severe, and you will most likely be confined to a bed with fatigue, weakness, and high fever for about two to three days.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Your fever should break after these first days, and symptoms will slowly resolve over the next three to seven days. After seven days and once all your symptoms have resolved, the flu is over. You might still feel weak or tired, but otherwise, be symptom-free. At this time, you can safely go back to work or school. This is completely normal as your body has exerted extra energy to recover.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are some exceptions to these numbers. For most healthy people, seven days is all their body needs to be symptom-free and no longer be contagious. However, people with weakened immune systems or young children may be contagious and exhibit symptoms longer as their body needs more time to fight off the infection.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Fast flu relief<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you have the flu, there are treatments and home remedies to help get relief from your symptoms faster:<\/span><\/p>\n