Treatment for influenza type A

Influenza type A is a flu infection that can cause fever, chills, cough, headache, fatigue and a general feeling of being unwell. Symptoms may begin abruptly. Most people recover with home care, but the illness can become more serious in older adults, young children, pregnant people and those with long-term medical conditions or reduced immunity. A cough and tiredness may continue after the fever improves.

Rest, drink regularly and choose light meals as tolerated. Follow the label for paracetamol or another suitable fever or pain medicine, and check with a pharmacist if you take regular medicines or have a long-term condition. Avoid taking more than one product containing the same pain-relieving ingredient. Stay home while feverish and reduce close contact, especially with vulnerable people; wash hands and improve ventilation. A clinician may consider an antiviral medicine when treatment starts early, particularly for people at increased risk. Antibiotics do not treat influenza itself, although a clinician may prescribe them if a separate bacterial infection is suspected.

Contact a clinician promptly if you are pregnant, have a significant long-term condition, have reduced immunity, or feel markedly worse. Seek urgent help for trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, fainting, severe weakness, inability to keep fluids down or a fever that returns with worsening cough. Pneumonia is one possible complication and needs medical assessment.

Ask whether antiviral treatment is appropriate, which fever medicine fits your health history, how to protect household members and what change in symptoms should trigger urgent review. Mention when symptoms began and any pregnancy, chronic illness or regular medicines.