Common questions about the flu

Let’s say you go to a party or a wedding and one of your friends you spend a lot of time with is coughing and sneezing a lot.

Turns out the cold your friend thought she had was actually the flu. So, you wonder if you caught the virus when you wake up with a stuffy nose.

You may have caught the flu, but if your symptoms surface less than 24 hours after being around your friend, it’s unlikely that you got it from her.

How long are you contagious with the flu?

The flu virus is highly contagious, spreading easily through droplets in the air released when you cough, sneeze or even just talk. Still, if you catch it and can’t fight it off, the symptoms typically won’t occur for one to four days after you were exposed.

As you try to be cautious about passing the joy along to others, be aware that you’re most contagious on the third or fourth day of having symptoms. That’s also usually when your flu symptoms are the most intense.

You’re no longer likely to pass on the virus when you’ve been fever-free for 24 hours without taking any medications that can mask a fever. So, even though your cough may last — sometimes for a while — your coughing isn’t spreading the flu virus.

It’s not unusual to think about flu contagiousness during the annual flu season, which starts in October and ends typically around May.

Treatments for the flu

Over-the-counter medications

Most treatments we have are made to target symptoms of the flu, fever, body aches, stuffy nose, sore throat. Cough drops, throat sprays, ibuprofen and Theraflu are all over-the-counter medicine for easing symptoms.

Prescription medications

Tamiflu (oseltamivir) is one of a few antiviral medications to fight the flu. You can get it only with a prescription.

Advantages:

• Reduces symptoms: Tamiflu can reduce the strength of the virus by decreasing the number of days you experience symptoms and how severe the symptoms are. It’s been shown in studies to decrease the severity of symptoms by 40% and reduce complications of the flu. Taking Tamiflu, you would experience symptoms one to two days less than if you didn’t take the medication. But timing is important. The medication works best if it’s taken within 24 hours of when symptoms begin.
• Prevents flu: If you know you’ve been exposed to the flu and are at high risk for complications because you’re pregnant or have a compromised immune system, Tamiflu can be taken to decrease your chances of getting the flu.

Disadvantages:

• It must be taken soon after symptoms start: If it’s been more 48 hours or more past the start of symptoms, Tamiflu is unlikely to provide much benefit.
• Side effects: Possible side effects for Tamiflu include upset stomach and irritability and, in children, hallucinations.
• Cost: Depending on insurance, the prescription may cost you up to $100 or more. It’s important to decide if the potential benefit of decreasing illness by a day, decreasing severity by 40%, and decreasing risk of complications makes sense financially. If someone is in a high-risk group, the money may well be worth it.

Can you get the flu twice in one year or season?

It’s not common, but it’s possible. Say you get the flu in the fall, the early part of flu season. As the season goes on, you could come into contact with a different variant of the flu before the season ends.

How do you get rid of the flu quickly?

There’s not really a way to get rid of it quickly. Sometimes anti-viral medications can shorten the course of the flu. The best way to get through it is to make sure you stay hydrated. Even if you don’t feel like eating much, drink liquids — herbal tea, broth, water. The liquids help clear your immune system and fight the illness.

If you’re trying to keep from getting the flu:

• Wash your hands ideally with soap and water, rather than just hand sanitizers.
• Try not to touch your face.
• Avoid rubbing your eyes or nose.
• Wear a mask when you’re in close quarters with others, such as on a plane.

The flu is still a disease that can kill people, typically those already with health issues, the elderly or the very young. However, healthy young people can still get severe symptoms from the flu.

It’s important to take the flu seriously. If you’re sick, stay home. Your coworkers and friends will appreciate that.