What if You Already Have The Flu?

Dealing with the Flu Once You Have It 

The easiest way to deal with the flu is to avoid getting it altogether. However, even if 
you do get a vaccination, there is a chance that you could become infected with the 
influenza virus. The way this happens is usually that either a virus that was not included 
in the vaccination manifests itself as part of the flu season or the virus drifts – meaning it 
changes a bit – over the course of the flu season, making an inoculation less effective.

If you do get the flu, there are some options for treatment. This is a virus, so you do, 
for the most part, have to let it run its course, but you can reduce the symptoms of 
influenza and, for some patients, that may be a very big deal.

Antiviral Drugs for The Flu

Antiviral drugs diminish the effects of a virus on the body. If you have influenza and, 
in particular, if you are at high risk because of a compromised immune system, a 
respiratory illness or another condition, you’ll want to talk to your physician about 
antiviral treatments. These don’t make the flu “go away”, but they may make it more 
bearable and they can reduce some of the most dangerous outcomes of contracting 
influenza, such as subsequently contracting pneumonia.

Talk to Your Physician About The Flu You Have

Influenza symptoms are so well known that the symptoms of other infections are 
sometimes referred to as flulike symptoms. If you start to feel the symptoms of influenza 
coming on, even if you had a vaccination, be sure to talk to your physician right away. 
The two things you want to avoid are further putting yourself at risk and putting other 
people at risk by infecting them with the virus. Your physician can give you information 
on how to make sure there isn’t undue risk either way.