What Are the First Signs of Getting the Flu?

The flu (influenza) is caused by influenza viruses passed from person to person through respiratory droplets propelled into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. 

Less commonly, the flu is transmitted when a person touches a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touches their mouth, nose, or eyes without first washing their hands.

The flu (influenza) is diagnosed based upon the patient’s symptoms and a physical examination. 

Tests used to diagnose the flu include:

• Rapid molecular assays 
  • Detects genetic material of the virus and provide results in about 15-20 minutes
• Rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs) 
  • Provides results in about 15 minutes
  • Less accurate than other flu tests 
• Other specialized flu tests may be used in hospitals or state public health laboratories
  • Specialized tests are sent to a lab for testing
  • Results may take several hours

The flu (influenza) is treated with home remedies and antiviral medicines in some cases. 

Home remedies to help relieve symptoms of the flu include: 

• Drinking plenty of fluids
• Rest
• Saline nasal spray or drops
• Breathing in steam from a bowl of hot water or shower
• Clean humidifier or cool mist vaporizer
• Sucking on lozenges 
  • Do not give lozenges to young children because they pose a choking hazard
• Over-the-counter (OTC) for relief of symptoms
  • Pain relievers and fever reducers 
    • Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
    • Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
    • Aspirin
      • Do not give aspirin to children because it can cause Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious illness 
  • Cough and cold medicines

Antiviral medications may be used to treat the flu. These medicines work best when taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms to help reduce the severity and duration of the flu. 

Antiviral medications used to treat the flu include: 

• Oseltamivir phosphate (Tamiflu)
• Zanamivir (Relenza)
• Peramivir (Rapivab) 
• Baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza)