Home remedies for flu

Influenza often begins suddenly and may present with fever, chills, cough, headache, fatigue and a general feeling of being unwell. Symptoms can affect the whole body, not only the nose and throat. Pneumonia is a possible complication and may cause breathing difficulty, chest pain or a worsening cough.

Rest, sleep and drink fluids regularly; small, frequent drinks can be easier when appetite is low. Choose light foods as tolerated and keep the room comfortably ventilated. A pharmacist can recommend a suitable fever or pain medicine after checking your age, pregnancy status, liver or kidney problems and other medicines. Stay home while unwell, wash hands and improve airflow around others. Never give children aspirin, and do not combine products that contain the same pain-relieving ingredient.

Seek urgent help for difficulty breathing, blue or grey lips, chest pain, new confusion, fainting, severe dehydration or inability to keep fluids down. Get medical advice when fever or cough improves and then returns, symptoms are rapidly worsening, or you have a condition or treatment that weakens immunity. Older adults, infants and pregnant people may need earlier assessment.

Could antiviral treatment be useful for me? Which symptom medicine is safe with my current treatment? How can I tell ordinary flu symptoms from a chest complication, and when can I safely return to work or school?