How Long Does Flu Congestion Last

How Long Does A Blocked Runny Nose Last

Although it may appear to take longer, nasal congestion typically lasts five to ten days, depending on whether it is caused by a viral or bacterial illness. While decongestants can assist control your nasal congestion symptoms, it is preferable to simply let the nasal congestion pass. This will help prevent the development of chronic sinus problems.

What To Expect With Influenza

Symptoms of the flu can hit very quickly and may last several weeks. A bout of the flu typically follows this pattern:

• Days 13: Sudden appearance of fever, headache, muscle pain and weakness, dry cough, sore throat and sometimes a stuffy nose.
• Day 4: Fever and muscle aches decrease. Hoarse, dry or sore throat, cough and possible mild chest discomfort become more noticeable. You may feel tired or flat.
• Day 8: Symptoms decrease. Cough and tiredness may last one to two weeks or more.

Can The Flu Shot Make You Sick

A common misconception is that the flu shot makes you sick. The CDC asserts that the flu shot cannot give you the flu. At worst, you may feel a few minor side effects a few days after receiving your vaccination. This is because flu shots are made either with no virus at all or with an inactivated virus, meaning it is not infectious.

There are a few side effects some people encounter after a flu shot, which are described below, but these are minor and will subside on their own. The reality is that even if you do experience side effects from a flu shot, they are much less severe than the effects of contracting the virus itself.

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What Are The Stages Of A Cold

Cold symptoms can differ from person to person, but they generally appear about one to three days after exposure to a cold-causing virus. In most cases, cold symptoms will peak within two to three days.

The signs that you have a cold usually develop slowly. The most common cold symptoms include fatigue, sore or scratchy throat, nasal congestion or stuffiness, and a runny nose, followed by sneezing and coughing. Fever is not typical with a cold, but a low-grade fever isnt out of the question, according to the Merck Manual.

The mucus discharged by a runny nose may change color over the course of the illness, starting out clear and becoming thicker, yellow, or green. Postnasal drip, in which mucus accumulates or drips in the back of the throat, can further aggravate a sore throat or cough.

Symptoms usually disappear in 4 to 10 days, although a cough often lasts into the second week. A cold may last longer or be more severe in people who have chronic health issues.

If your symptoms persist more than 10 days or keep coming back, then something else may be going on, such as allergies, sinusitis, or a secondary infection.

Fever is an important sign, says Norman Edelman, MD, a professor of preventive medicine, internal medicine, physiology, and biophysics at the State University of New York at Stony Brook in Long Island. Adults with a fever of 102 degrees F or higher and children with a fever of 103 degree F or higher should see a doctor.

How Long Does The Flu Last 14 Flu Faqs Answered

When the winds blow colder and the days grow shorter, you know that flu season is imminent. Its the sickness we dread with each doorknob we touch and each time we hear a coworker cough.

In the spirit of flu season, were here to answer some of your most pressing questions about the virus: How long does the flu last? Is there any way to prevent it? Do you really need a flu shot?

We spoke with medical professionals and consulted the holy grail of health care, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , to answer all of your flu FAQs. Keep reading to hear how you can protect yourself and your family this flu season.

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What Are Some Common Flu Shot Side Effects

Some people do experience side effects after getting their flu shot. Of those who do, they are usually very mild and diminish on their own. The CDC outlines a few of the more common flu shot side effects:

• Soreness or swelling from the shot
• Headache
• Muscle ache
• Fever

These flu shot side effects are perfectly normal. However, there are a few other flu shot side effects that are not as common. These are very rare and may indicate an allergic reaction:

• Wheezing or difficulty breathing
• Swelling around the eyes or lips
• Hives or paleness
• Dizziness or weakness

Heres How To Treat Covid

For adults with cold-like symptoms of COVID-19, Nori recommends recuperating at home by taking any over-the-counter decongestant, cough suppressant, or fever reducer as long as your healthcare provider gives you the okay .

You want to be sure that any drug, even an over-the-counter one, wont interact with other medications you take or raise blood pressure or blood sugars .

Adults at high risk of becoming very sick from COVID-19 should talk to a doctor about antiviral therapies such as the oral medication nirmatrelvir and ritonavir . Children may be eligible if they are 12 or over and weigh at least 88 pounds.

Finally, anyone who is sick from COVID-19 even if it just feels like a case of the sniffles should be sure to isolate at home and mask up! Masking remains a tried and true measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

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When To See A Doctor

People should try to see a doctor within 24 to 48 hours after flu symptoms appear, as this is when antiviral treatments are most effective.

It is also important to see a doctor if symptoms do not improve after 7 days or new symptoms, such as ear pain, appear.

People should seek emergency medical treatment if:

• breathing becomes difficult or labored
• muscle pain is unbearable or severe enough to prevent walking
• a child develops a fever above 104°F
• when breathing, a child or infant makes loud sounds or pulls in the muscles around their ribs
• a person has seizures, loses consciousness, seems confused, or is unable to communicate effectively
• a baby under the age of 12 weeks develops a fever
• symptoms of chronic medical conditions get worse
• there is intense dizziness that does not go away after a few hours
• a person stops urinating or urinates very rarely
• symptoms get better but then return later and are worse

What Is The Flu

The flu, also known as influenza, is extremely contagious. This respiratory virus is caused by one of three different kinds of virus: influenza A, B or C. Like the common cold, the flu spreads from person to person via tiny droplets in the air.

Those who are sick with the flu propel these droplets when they talk, cough, or sneeze. Just being around someone with the flu can cause you to breathe in the virus and become sick, yourself. If you have a loved one with the flu, its crucial that you avoid close contact as much as you can.

Since the flu spreads via contact, as well, you need to take extra precautions around people who are infected. When your child comes down with the flu, it can be challenging to take care of them without contracting the virus.

Unfortunately, its a common concern that is difficult to avoid. As mentioned, the flu is highly contagious, so theres a good chance that youll come down with it, as well. The good news is that you can better prepare yourself and your loved ones for whats to come.

First, check out some information about how long the flu typically lasts so youll know what to expect.

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Treatment And Home Remedies

If youre sick, be sure to drink plenty of liquids and get plenty of rest. You can also take over-the-counter pain and fever relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen , to help relieve your symptoms.

Stay at home while youre sick and for at least 24 hours after your fever has gone down.

In some cases, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication. Antiviral medications can reduce the length of your illness and may help prevent complications. They dont kill the influenza virus, however.

Antiviral medications must be taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms in order to be effective.

Is The Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine Effective

So, historically speaking, the flu shot has been more effective in some flu seasons than the nasal spray version , says Dr. Iroku. Dont worry though: In cases when the nasal spray was less effective, those sprays are then recalled from the market, per CDC recommendation, Dr. Pasha explains.

However, these vaccines are repeatedly revised and reassessed by the CDC. And for this flu season, both the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics endorse the flu shot and nasal spray vaccine, adds Dr. Iroku. However, he says, the nasal spray is still not recommended for all individuals and should not be used in adults 50 years or older, immunocompromised persons, pregnant women, and some other demographics.

Bottom line: Your doctor will know which is best for you.

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What Else Can Help

To make spreading the flu less likely, everyone in your family should::

• Wash hands well and often with soap, especially after using the bathroom, after coughing or sneezing, and before eating or preparing food
• Never pick up used tissues.
• Never share cups and eating utensils.
• Stay home from work or school if they have the flu.
• Cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when they cough or sneeze, then put it in the trash.
• Cough or sneeze into their upper arm, not their hands, if a tissue isn’t handy.

Is The Flu Shot Necessary

You are by no means forced to get a flu shot. However, health professionals highly recommend it. A common misconception, particularly among those ages 18 49, is that you dont need a flu shot. Studies have found this age group is the least likely to get vaccinated. Those ages 65 and older are the most likely to get their flu shot.

Influenza vaccination is important even for healthy people, Thomas says. Many people think the flu is a minor illness. However, even a healthy young person can have a severe reaction to this infection. When sick or elderly people get the flu, they may die of additional complications, such as bacterial pneumonia.

Influenza vaccination is important even for healthy people.

Anyone, even those with strong immune systems, can get the flu. Even if you think dont need a flu shot, getting one can help prevent you from transmitting the flu to others. The more citizens who get their flu shot, the less risk there is for the entire community.

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How To Prevent Catching A Cold

A person with a cold can start spreading it from a few days before their symptoms begin until the symptoms have finished.

The best ways to avoid catching a cold are:

• washing your hands with warm water and soap
• not sharing towels or household items with someone who has a cold
• not touching your eyes or nose in case you have come into contact with the virus it can infect the body this way
• staying fit and healthy

The flu vaccine helps prevent flu but not colds.

Are You Still Covered From Last Year

Maggie ONeill is a health writer and reporter based in New York who specializes in covering medical research and emerging wellness trends, with a focus on cancer and addiction. Prior to her time at Health, her work appeared in the Observer, Good Housekeeping, CNN, and Vice. She was a fellow of the Association of Health Care Journalists 2020 class on Womens Health Journalism and 2021 class on Cancer Reporting. In her spare time, she likes meditating, watching TikToks, and playing fetch with her dog, Finnegan.

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If you find yourself with those typical flu-like symptomsfever, chills, nasal congestion, the worksyou might start worrying that you’ve come down with the flu .

But wait…didn’t you get the flu shot last year? And if that’s the case, how long does a flu shot last, exactlyand are you still covered? To help you figure things out, Health spoke with a few infectious disease experts to find out how long you’re covered with a flu shot, and what that means for when you should get your next one.

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How Long Would You Stay Infectious

People with monkeypox can spread it to others from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed, according to the CDC.

Alcendor said monkeypox is the most contagious when someone is symptomatic and has an active rash, as the blistering rash contains fluid with high amounts of virus that can be readily transmitted through skin-to-skin contact.

Identifying infected individuals and quarantining the potentially infected individual for an extended period, such as up to three to four weeks, is critical to controlling the viral spread, he said.

But not everyone is capable of isolating for weeks at a time. For those who cant, the CDC recommends keeping all lesions covered, wearing a tight-fitting mask, and avoiding close physical contact or sharing items that have been worn or used. In addition, launder or disinfect used items, clothing, and surfaces that have been touched by a lesion.

How Do Flu Vaccines Work

Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against infection with circulating influenza viruses.

Seasonal flu vaccines are designed to protect against the influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season. All flu vaccines in the United States are quadrivalent vaccines, which means they protect against four different flu viruses: an influenza A virus, an influenza A virus, and two influenza B viruses.

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People At Higher Risk From Flu

Anyone can get sick with flu, even healthy people, and serious problems related to flu can happen to anyone at any age, but some people are at higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications if they get sick. This includes people 65 years and older, people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions , pregnant people and children younger than 5 years, but especially those younger than 2 years old.

How To Treat Flu Shot Side Effects

Tylenol Tylenol Rapid Release Gels

Usually, any side effects you might get from the flu vaccine go away on their own within a day or twobut you dont have to tough it out if you really feel run down. Try these self-care measures to feel better ASAP:

For muscle aches, headache, or flu-like symptoms, take a pain reliever, such as Tylenol or ibuprofen.

For arm pain after the flu shot, apply a cool compress.

The same goes for side effects of the nasal flu vaccine. Treatment is based on a persons symptoms, Dr. Kemmerly says. All in all, minor aches are a small price to pay for the vast protection the flu vaccine provides for both you and those around you.

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The Best Treatment Is To Take Steps To Prevent Illness

Few common illnesses are more unpleasant than the flu. The aches and pains, chills, fever, and cough are bad enough add in the other potential symptoms of flu, including runny nose, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, or sore throat, and you’ll want the illness to be over as soon as possible. How long does the flu last? And does treating flu help make it go away faster? The answers depend on your particular health.

How Does The Flu Shot Work

Researchers predict which flu virus will be most prominent in the upcoming flu season. The flu vaccines are created to fight off these specific strains of the flu. Because there is no way to make an exact prediction, sometimes the flu vaccine is a partial match for that years strain.

Even if the flu vaccine is not a perfect match for this years flu strain, a partial match can still give you some important protection, says Laurie Endicott Thomas, MA, ELS, and . She explains that you may still experience flu-like symptoms, but it can significantly reduce the risk of being hospitalized or fatality from the flu.

Even if the flu vaccine is not a perfect match for this years flu strain, a partial match can still give you some important protection.

When you get a flu shot, your body goes into action to ward off against it. A flu shot encourages the recipient to create antibodies. These antibodies protect the body against infection of the vaccine virus.

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How To Prevent The Spread Of Stomach Flu Viruses

• Wash your hands thoroughly. This is particularly important after youve used the restroom and if you have diarrhea or vomiting.
• Stay home. Plan to stay home from work or school for at least 2 days after your symptoms have subsided.
• Keep your distance. Avoid coming into contact with people who are at an increased risk of serious illness. This includes babies, older adults, and people with a weakened immune system.
• Dont share. Avoid sharing items such as eating utensils, drinking glasses, phones, or towels while youre sick and for several days after your symptoms have subsided.
• Avoid handling food. Try not to handle or prepare food while youre sick and

Since a virus causes stomach flu, medications such as antibiotics dont help to treat it. Typically, most people with stomach flu recover from their illness without having to seek medical treatment.

The following home remedies can help ease the symptoms of stomach flu and prevent more serious illness.

• severe abdominal pain
• symptoms that dont get better, or begin to get worse after several days of at-home care
• symptoms of stomach flu that occur in an infant, older adult, or individual with an underlying health condition

Medical treatment involves managing your symptoms and promoting hydration. You may be given intravenous fluids to help replace lost fluids and electrolytes.