Flu symptoms & prevention
The best way to prevent the flu is always to get a flu vaccine. Even if you take steps toward flu prevention, you may still get the illness. However, your symptoms will be milder and you’ll be less likely to be hospitalized. So, it’s important to make an appointment to get a flu vaccination at the beginning of flu season, in October or November.
Other ways to prevent the flu
Flu prevention is all about stopping the germs from spreading. You can provide more protection for yourself and those around you by paying attention to these guidelines.
- Take better care of yourself: For flu prevention during flu season, make sure you get plenty of sleep, eat a well-balanced diet, drink plenty of fluids, exercise regularly and keep stress levels under control. Taking care of yourself helps strengthen your immune system, which helps you fight off the flu and any other illnesses you’re exposed to.
- Protect yourself from germs: The influenza virus (flu) can be easily passed from one person to another by coughing, sneezing or touching surfaces that have the virus on them. Protect yourself by:
- Avoiding getting close to people who are sick
- Not touching your face (especially your eyes and nose) after touching something contaminated
- Washing your hands thoroughly and often
- Protect others from your germs: Staying at home when you’re sick is key to flu prevention and protecting others from your germs. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and throw the tissue away right away.
- Use proper hand-washing techniques: Washing your hands frequently and correctly helps prevent the flu and other illnesses from spreading. (When soap and water aren't available, you can use an alcohol-based gel to sanitize your hands.)
- Get your hands wet with warm, running water
- Add soap and rub your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds
- Rinse your hands well under running water
- Dry thoroughly with a clean disposable towel
- Use the same towel to turn the faucet off
- Use our cold and flu symptoms guide: Our guide will help you determine whether you have a cold or the flu. Bookmark this page and share it with people you know so you can all use it each year.
Flu symptoms vs. cold symptoms
The flu and colds can be difficult to tell apart in the first couple of days of infection. Here’s how to tell the difference.
| Symptom | Flu* | Cold |
|---|---|---|
| Fever | Usually 102F, but up to 104F and lasts 3-4 days | Rare in adults, up to 102F in small children |
| Headache | Common, can be severe | Rare |
| Muscle aches | Common, often severe | Mild |
| Fatigue, weakness | Can last 2+ weeks | Mild |
| Extreme exhaustion | Common early in illness | Never |
| Runny nose | Sometimes | Often |
| Sneezing | Sometimes | Often |
| Sore throat | Sometimes | Often |
| Cough | Common, can be severe | Mild hacking cough |
| Nausea and vomiting | Rare | Rare |
How to treat your flu symptoms
Treat your case of the flu by resting and drinking lots of liquids. Avoid alcohol and tobacco. Talk with your primary care doctor or pharmacist about medications and flu-relief products to relieve fever, body aches, runny nose, cough and other flu symptoms. If your symptoms start to get worse, seek care immediately. Our Quick Care Video Visits offer a quick way to get medical advice from the comfort of your home.
To avoid possible complications, medicines that contain aspirin should never be given to teenagers or children who have flu-like symptoms, particularly fever.
How can I tell if it’s the flu or COVID?
If you’re not sure if your illness is the flu or COVID, visit our Resource Center to see if your symptoms may mean you have COVID.
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