How Long Does It Take To Get Over The Flu?
A person suffering from a bout of the flu takes about one to two weeks to get over it. The severe symptoms of the flu can resolve in two to three days. Patient, however, suffers from dry cough, fatigue, weakness with decreased ability to exercise for about three days to a week after the flu has resolved. So, it can be safely said that it can take anywhere between 1 to 2 weeks to get over the flu.
What are the Complications of Flu and Does it Affect the Recovery from Flu?
If the patient is sick with flu for more than a week, then flu complications can develop. In such a scenario, the patient will take longer time to get over the flu. The time taken for recovery from the flu depends on the severity of the complication, how fast the treatment was started and the patient’s response to the treatment.
Serious symptoms of flu which indicate complications and need immediate medical attention are:
- Shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing.
- Blue or purple discoloration of the lips.
- High fever.
- Pressure or pain in the abdomen or chest.
- Sudden dizziness and confusion.
- Persistent or severe vomiting.
- Seizures
- Flu symptoms, which improve but return with worsening cough and fever.
Signs and Symptoms of Flu
The symptoms of the flu can develop suddenly or can commonly start within one to four days after the infection. The initial sign of flu is usually fever or chills; after which the patient can develop headache, runny nose, dry cough, sore throat, fatigue and muscle aches. As the flu progresses the patient starts to have warm, flushed skin with bloodshot or watery eyes. Patient also has a severe phlegm productive cough, nasal congestion with nausea and vomiting.
Contagious Period of Flu
A person suffering from flu can be contagious from a day before the symptoms develop to about 5 to 7 days after becoming sick with the flu. Children can remain contagious for more than a week. It is important to rest and stay at home till the contagious period of the flu passes to prevent spreading of the flu to other people and also to get over the flu faster. Resting also helps your body to better recover from the flu and protects against developing complications of flu or catching another virus infection.
What are the After Effects of the Flu?
Suffering from flu can leave behind some after effects even after recovering from the flu and these lingering effects of flu include: Weakness, fatigue, reduced appetite, dry cough, irritation to the airway and loss of sense of smell that can become permanent in rare cases.
Does Flu Vaccine Work?
There are some viral vaccines, which if you are vaccinated against or if you have suffered from it once, makes you immune for life. However, in case of flu, the immunity from the vaccine doesn’t last very long. There is declination of a person’s immunity over a period of months after vaccination or a viral infection. Elderly individuals especially, even after getting the flu or getting the flu vaccine are still more susceptible to another bout of flu as it does not give that much of a protection. However, it is important to get a flu shot every year to decrease the chances of getting flu.
Recovery from Flu
It is important to rest and take things slowly and avoid rushing back to daily activities and exercise. Gradually starting on your activities is important to rebuild the stamina and start feeling back to normal. Recovery from flu can take a week to 2 weeks.
Also Read:
