What happens if influenza is not treated?

Influenza can cause fever, chills, cough, sore throat, headache and pronounced fatigue. Many people recover with rest, fluids and symptom relief, but illness can continue to drain fluids and energy. Infection may spread to the lungs and cause pneumonia, with worsening cough, breathlessness, chest discomfort or fever that returns after an initial improvement. Fever can also trigger febrile seizures in some young children.

Complications are more concerning in babies, older adults, pregnant people and those with long-term heart, lung or immune conditions. Antiviral treatment may be considered early for people at higher risk or with severe illness, so timing matters.

Rest, drink regularly and use medicines only as directed for your age, pregnancy status and other health conditions. Stay home while feverish and follow local advice about reducing spread. Arrange a GP Consultation if symptoms are severe, you are in a higher-risk group, or you are not improving. A Telemedicine Consultation may help with an initial assessment when travel is difficult, although severe breathing problems need urgent in-person care.

Get emergency help for severe breathlessness, blue or grey lips, chest pain, new confusion, collapse, inability to keep fluids down or signs of dehydration such as very little urine. Seek prompt medical advice if fever or cough improves and then worsens, or if a child has a seizure, is unusually sleepy or is difficult to wake.

Ask whether antiviral medicine is appropriate, how to manage fever and cough safely, how long to stay away from others, and which changes suggest pneumonia. Tell the clinician when symptoms began and whether you have asthma, heart disease, pregnancy or reduced immunity.