Is There a Treatment for the Flu or Should I Just Let My Body Heal on Its Own?

Every year, as many as 41 million Americans are infected by the flu virus, and nearly 50,000 people die from the disease and its complications. The flu vaccine can definitely help reduce your risk of getting the flu, but it’s not designed to prevent all types of flu virus.

If you do get sick, you want to do all you can to feel better and to avoid passing the infection on to other people. But does that mean you should always see your doctor, or is it OK to stay home and let your immune system do its job?

A leading island-wide provider of urgent care services for patients in Kihei, Kahului, and Lahaina, Hawaii, Minit Medical Urgent Care and Physical Therapy wants patients to recover as quickly as possible from the flu. Here, learn what you should do if you’re infected, including when you should seek medical treatment for your symptoms.

Influenza basics

Flu is caused by influenza, a family of viruses with dozens of subtypes. You can “catch” the flu by breathing in airborne droplets released when an infected person sneezes, coughs, or simply speaks. 

You can also become infected by touching a surface that’s contaminated with the virus. Not surprisingly, flu is easily spread in schools, offices, shopping centers, and other public areas where there are typically many people.

Once in your body, the flu virus makes its “home” in your respiratory system, beginning with your upper respiratory system and then spreading to your lungs. Common symptoms include:

• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Coughing and sneezing
• Nasal congestion
• Headaches
• Body aches
• Fatigue
• Fever

Flu symptoms typically develop and worsen quickly, often within a day or two of coming into contact with the virus. People tend to be most contagious within the first few days of infection.

Treating the flu

Unlike a bacterial infection that can be battled with antibiotics, there are no medicines available to fully wipe out a flu infection. For people with healthy immune systems, home care is often the best way to get better and prevent complications. This means:

• Staying home from work or school while the virus is active
• Getting plenty of rest
• Drinking lots of fluids 
• Taking over-the-counter medicines to relieve fever and achiness
• Using decongestants to relieve nasal congestion and ease breathing

For most people, flu symptoms subside within a few days, with complete healing taking up to 10 days or longer.

That said, there are definitely times when you should see your doctor for your symptoms. Remember, flu can quickly worsen, increasing your risk of pneumonia and your need for hospitalization. In general, you should definitely come to our office if you:

• Have difficulty breathing
• Have pain in your chest or pain when breathing
• Have a high fever, or a fever that’s getting worse
• Experience confusion or extreme drowsiness
• Are having trouble swallowing
• Have abnormally dark-colored urine

We also want you to come in if you have a history of respiratory issues, like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or if you have a history of pneumonia or heart disease.

Depending on your needs, we may recommend antiviral medications to help fight off the flu virus. It’s important to note, though, that these medications work best when administered within the first 48 hours of infection, so seeking medical care early is most beneficial.

Take the flu seriously

Because the flu is common, it’s tempting to think it’s no big deal. But influenza can lead to more serious complications — including hospitalization and even death. 

If you think you have the flu or if you’d like to schedule a flu vaccine, request an appointment online or over the phone with Minit Medical Urgent Care and Physical Therapy in Kihei, Kahului, and Lahaina, Hawaii, today, or visit our walk-in clinic at your convenience.