5 things to do if you catch the flu

Catching the flu is as easy as counting 1-2-3. It’s how it stays relevant in the modern age.

Influenza, or the flu, can affect everyone differently. For some people, it causes a sore throat and runny nose while others might experience an achy body and headache. When you start to feel like you’re coming down with the bug, here are some things to make sure you know what is, and how to fight it.

1. Take your temperature

Got a thermometer laying around? If you start feeling any flu-like symptoms, the fastest way to confirm is by taking your temperature. Viral infections, like the flu, causes rising body temperatures.

A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher is usually the first sign.  Most experts believe it’s a natural bodily defense that signals a virus or bacterial infection is present in the system.

Take your temperature throughout the day. A rising fever is not common with the flu and could point to a different problem and would require further review by a medical professional.

2. Review your symptoms

“As a rule of thumb, if you're otherwise a healthy person, but you're experiencing a fever or chills that respond to Tylenol, a cough, sore throat, or body aches, most people can safely watch at home for two to three days and treat it with over-the-counter relief,” said Zachary Shipp, MD, a family medicine doctor at the SIU Center for Family Medicine in Decatur.

You’ve taken your temperature and confirmed a fever. The next step is to take inventory of any other symptoms you may have. As directed by Dr. Shipp, be on the lookout for severe symptoms associated with the flu:

• High fever (over 104°F) or fever that does not respond to medicine
• Chest pain or worsening shortness of breath
• Weakness, confusion, or loss of consciousness
• Severe nausea or diarrhea with signs of dehydration such as dry mouth or excess thirst cravings

If you have one or more of these symptoms, you should contact your doctor.

3. Call your primary care provider or visit Express Care

Your family doctor is equipped with a wealth of knowledge on how you can best care for yourself when you have the flu. They may recommend resting at home and staying hydrated. Or they may ask you to make an appointment so they can confirm you have the flu and prescribe anti-viral medication.

If you don’t have a primary care doctor, clinics like Express Care can also support your recovery.

If you have a chronic condition like diabetes or you are immunocompromised, contact your doctor as soon as possible. You're at risk for developing complications like pneumonia, bronchitis, and difficulty breathing.

4. Stay rested, stay hydrated

You’ve confirmed that you have the flu and you've visited your doctor. Now it’s time to recover.

“The acute phase of influenza with the most severe symptoms can last up to a week, with another week with lingering symptoms,” said Dr. Shipp.

First, if your doctor prescribed any medications, follow all instructions for taking them exactly, including the dose, frequency, and duration. Anti-viral medication works best when started 1-2 days of symptom onset.

Next, stay in bed. Your body does its best work when you’re resting. When your brain isn’t focused on your day-to-day activities but instead is at rest, it can focus its energy toward other activities, like fighting off a virus. Plus, it’s not like you were feeling all that great anyway, with the stuffy nose and sore body.

Get plenty of fluids, specifically water. While a fever may be a good defense for your body, it’s also taxing. Studies show that you could lose 25% of stored water reserves while you have a fever. For bodies made up of 60% water, that’s a lot of fluid to lose and not recover. 

Finally, keep track of your recovery. If you’re doing everything you can to get better and you're not improving, contact your doctor. It could be a sign of a complication, like pneumonia or another infection.

5. Stay protected

You’ve recovered from the flu, but you’re not done.

You need a flu shot every year because of how quickly the influenza virus can mutate. Flu related hospitalization and death rates have stayed consistent over the past five years. In 2024, CDC data showed the flu season began in October and continued through May. The CDC plans to release updated information for the 2025 season later this year. 

“The dominant influenza strains change from year to year, and we try to change which flu strains are in the annual vaccine to best defend against that year’s strain,” Dr. Shipp said. “I would encourage even young and healthy people at low risk for severe symptoms or complications from flu to still get the flu shot to help provide herd immunity and protect our most vulnerable people.”

That’s the nature of a virus: it learns and grows.

Getting your yearly flu vaccinations reduces your chances of suffering major complications if you do contract the virus.

The more you can do to help reduce the spread of the virus, the better your chances of not getting sick.

“It’s important to get the vaccine when it becomes available and stay diligent about washing your hands, especially before eating,” said Dr. Shipp. “Be sure to cover your cough or sneeze, and stay home from work to reduce the virus’ spread.”

If you have symptoms of the flu or you're interested in the flu vaccine, SIU Medicine can help. Call 217-545-8000 or use our online scheduling tool.