Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFlu Day 0Flu Day 1Flu Day 2Flu Day 3Flu Day 4Flu Day 5Flu Day 6Flu Day 7Flu Day 8When to See a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Flu Day 0
Flu Day 1
Flu Day 2
Flu Day 3
Flu Day 4
Flu Day 5
Flu Day 6
Flu Day 7
Flu Day 8
When to See a Provider
Flu stages follow a relatively predictable timeline. Symptoms tend to develop one to two days after exposure to theinfluenza virusand last five to seven days.Older people or people withweakened immune systemsmay take longer to recover, while young, healthy people may take longer for symptoms to develop.
Understanding the stages of the flu—including thesigns and symptomsthat are likely to develop—can help you determine if you are recovering as you should. It can also help you figure out if you are still contagious and able to infect others.
Day 0is the stage when you get the virus.
At this stage, you will feel fine and be entirely unaware that you are about to get sick within the next day or two.
Even so, you are technically contagious on Day 0. The amount of virus in the mucosal tissues of theupper respiratory tractmay not yet be at transmittable levels, but that can change with each passing hour as the virus starts to rapidly multiply in your nasal passages and throat.
Day 1is when the body mounts an aggressive immune defense.
At the start of Day 1, you may wake up feeling fine but progressively feel worse as the day goes on. By the end of the day, you may start developing the tell-tale early signs of flu, including:
About Flu Antiviral DrugsAs soon as you realize you have the flu, call your healthcare provider about antiviral drugs that may help reduce the severity of the infection. This is especially true if you haveasthmaor are at high risk of flu complications.Options include:Rapivab (peramivir)Relenza (zanamivir)Tamiflu(oseltamivir phosphate)Xofluza (baloxavir marboxil)Flu antivirals are most effective when they are started within 48 hours of the first signs of infection.
About Flu Antiviral Drugs
As soon as you realize you have the flu, call your healthcare provider about antiviral drugs that may help reduce the severity of the infection. This is especially true if you haveasthmaor are at high risk of flu complications.Options include:Rapivab (peramivir)Relenza (zanamivir)Tamiflu(oseltamivir phosphate)Xofluza (baloxavir marboxil)Flu antivirals are most effective when they are started within 48 hours of the first signs of infection.
As soon as you realize you have the flu, call your healthcare provider about antiviral drugs that may help reduce the severity of the infection. This is especially true if you haveasthmaor are at high risk of flu complications.
Options include:
Flu antivirals are most effective when they are started within 48 hours of the first signs of infection.
Day 2is when flu symptoms have fully taken hold, extending from the upper respiratory tract—including the nostrils, nasal cavity, mouth,pharynx(throat), andlarynx(voice box)—to thetrachea(windpipe).
On this day, you may not be able to get out of bed and will start to experience the classic array of flu symptoms, such as:
How Long Should I Isolate Myself?If you have flu, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you stay at home for at least 24 hoursafteryour fever is gone, except to get medical care or other necessities.
How Long Should I Isolate Myself?
If you have flu, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you stay at home for at least 24 hoursafteryour fever is gone, except to get medical care or other necessities.
Day 3is often described as the worst stage of the flu. This is the day when many symptoms are at their most intense.
Inflammation of the nasal passages and pharynx can cause severe congestion and sore throat. Persistent high fever can make it difficult to even lift your head.
The inflammation spreading from the trachea to thebronchi(the main airways of the lungs) will cause an intense, generally dry (non-productive) cough at this stage.
In small children especially, vomiting or diarrhea can occur.
When to Call 911Call 911 or have someone rush you to the nearest emergency room if you develop the following signs of flu complications:Difficulty breathing orshortness of breathPersistent pain or pressure in the chestPersistent dizzinessConfusionDifficulty staying awake or being aroused from sleepSevere muscle painSevere weakness or unsteadinessFever or cough that improves but then returns or worsensSeizuresNot urinating
When to Call 911
Call 911 or have someone rush you to the nearest emergency room if you develop the following signs of flu complications:Difficulty breathing orshortness of breathPersistent pain or pressure in the chestPersistent dizzinessConfusionDifficulty staying awake or being aroused from sleepSevere muscle painSevere weakness or unsteadinessFever or cough that improves but then returns or worsensSeizuresNot urinating
Call 911 or have someone rush you to the nearest emergency room if you develop the following signs of flu complications:
Day 4is generally the turning point in the infection. At this stage, the immune system will have gained control over the virus. You may start to feel a little better but probably too weak to do anything but sleep.
Your fever will likely have broken, and you shouldn’t have as many body aches. Any congestion should start to loosen as well.
Even so, the aftermath of the infection can manifest with other symptoms.
The massive inflammation in the trachea and bronchi can cause the overproduction of mucus that begins to clog the lungs. When this happens, the dry cough may become more chesty and wet (productive) and get worse rather than better.
Even if your fever has broken, it is important to stay in bed and get plenty of fluids. By the end of the day, you may start to feel worse again and your fever may return.
Day 5is the stage where active recovery begins.
At this stage, your fever should be gone. You should also have less congestion but will still likely have a cough. You may even find yourself coughing upphlegm(sputum) or becoming hoarse from all of the coughing.
Day 6is when you should be well enough to get out of bed. There may still be some residual coughing, but breathing will be easier and the fever should be entirely gone.
While you may feel well enough to go back to work, the CDC advises against this until you have been fever-free for at least 24 hourswithouttaking anyfever-reducing medications.
People with the flu may be contagious anywhere from one day before to seven days after the appearance of flu symptoms.
Day 7is the stage when most people can confidently go out into public.
Even so, you should continue to take standard precautions to protect others around you. Cover your mouth while coughing and sneeze into a tissue or the crook of your elbow. Wash your hands immediately after, and disinfect any surfaces with a general-purpose cleaner.
Other people have been known to developotitis media(a middle ear infection) after the flu, also typically mild.
Day 8is typically the “all-clear” day for most people, including children. Most people should be well on their way to recovery and will likely no longer be contagious.
If you are used to exercising regularly, you should be fine to work out again—just don’t go overboard. Your body is still recovering and can tire easily.
Tips for Flu RecoveryRecovering from the flu is largely a matter of time, but there are a few things you might be able to do to speed up your recovery:Don’t push yourself.Rest as much as you can and don’t try to go back to work or school until you are ready.Get plenty of sleep.If you don’t feel rested, take naps. Go to bed earlier and sleep until you wake up naturally.Stay hydrated.Drinking plenty of fluids promotes healthy blood flow, which can help support your overall health while you recover.
Tips for Flu Recovery
Recovering from the flu is largely a matter of time, but there are a few things you might be able to do to speed up your recovery:Don’t push yourself.Rest as much as you can and don’t try to go back to work or school until you are ready.Get plenty of sleep.If you don’t feel rested, take naps. Go to bed earlier and sleep until you wake up naturally.Stay hydrated.Drinking plenty of fluids promotes healthy blood flow, which can help support your overall health while you recover.
Recovering from the flu is largely a matter of time, but there are a few things you might be able to do to speed up your recovery:
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When to See a Healthcare Provider
Most people recover from the flu at home with conservative treatment. Unless you are at risk for complications or experiencing severe symptoms, it is important to rest and to avoid transmitting the virus to others.
People who are at risk for complications should consult their healthcare provider as soon as they start to experience flu symptoms. You may be at risk for complications if:
Children between the ages of 6 months and 2 years are also at higher risk for complications.
If you or your child has the flu, watch out for signs of severe illness. If any of these symptoms appear, see a healthcare provider right away:
Summary
By day 8, most people will have recovered and no longer be contagious. However, some may still have a lingering cough and fatigue.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pinkbook: influenza.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.People at higher risk of flu complications.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How flu spreads.Kali AC, Thomas PG.Influenza virus-related critical illness: pathophysiology and epidemiology.Crit Care.2019;23:258. doi:10.1186/s13054-019-2539-xCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Key facts about influenza (flu).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What you should know about flu antiviral drugs.Han A, Poon JL, Powers JH 3rd, Leidy NK, Yu R, Memoli MJ.Using the Influenza Patient-Reported Outcome (FLU-PRO) diary to evaluate symptoms of influenza viral infection in a healthy human challenge model.BMC Infect Dis. 2018;18(1):353. doi:10.1186/s12879-018-3220-8Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Flu: what to do if you get sick.Soliman AM, Barreda DR.Acute inflammation in tissue healing.Int J Mol Sci.2023 Jan;24(1):641. doi:10.3390/ijms24010641Morris DE, Clearly DW, Clarke SC.Secondary bacterial infections associated with influenza pandemics.Front Microbiol.2017;8:1041. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2017.01041American Lung Association.Feeling sick? The do’s and don’ts to help you get better and protect others when you have a virus.University of California San Francisco Health.When to call your doctor about the flu.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pinkbook: influenza.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.People at higher risk of flu complications.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How flu spreads.Kali AC, Thomas PG.Influenza virus-related critical illness: pathophysiology and epidemiology.Crit Care.2019;23:258. doi:10.1186/s13054-019-2539-xCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Key facts about influenza (flu).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What you should know about flu antiviral drugs.Han A, Poon JL, Powers JH 3rd, Leidy NK, Yu R, Memoli MJ.Using the Influenza Patient-Reported Outcome (FLU-PRO) diary to evaluate symptoms of influenza viral infection in a healthy human challenge model.BMC Infect Dis. 2018;18(1):353. doi:10.1186/s12879-018-3220-8Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Flu: what to do if you get sick.Soliman AM, Barreda DR.Acute inflammation in tissue healing.Int J Mol Sci.2023 Jan;24(1):641. doi:10.3390/ijms24010641Morris DE, Clearly DW, Clarke SC.Secondary bacterial infections associated with influenza pandemics.Front Microbiol.2017;8:1041. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2017.01041American Lung Association.Feeling sick? The do’s and don’ts to help you get better and protect others when you have a virus.University of California San Francisco Health.When to call your doctor about the flu.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Pinkbook: influenza.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.People at higher risk of flu complications.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How flu spreads.Kali AC, Thomas PG.Influenza virus-related critical illness: pathophysiology and epidemiology.Crit Care.2019;23:258. doi:10.1186/s13054-019-2539-xCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Key facts about influenza (flu).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What you should know about flu antiviral drugs.Han A, Poon JL, Powers JH 3rd, Leidy NK, Yu R, Memoli MJ.Using the Influenza Patient-Reported Outcome (FLU-PRO) diary to evaluate symptoms of influenza viral infection in a healthy human challenge model.BMC Infect Dis. 2018;18(1):353. doi:10.1186/s12879-018-3220-8Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Flu: what to do if you get sick.Soliman AM, Barreda DR.Acute inflammation in tissue healing.Int J Mol Sci.2023 Jan;24(1):641. doi:10.3390/ijms24010641Morris DE, Clearly DW, Clarke SC.Secondary bacterial infections associated with influenza pandemics.Front Microbiol.2017;8:1041. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2017.01041American Lung Association.Feeling sick? The do’s and don’ts to help you get better and protect others when you have a virus.University of California San Francisco Health.When to call your doctor about the flu.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Key facts about influenza (flu).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What you should know about flu antiviral drugs.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Flu: what to do if you get sick.
Soliman AM, Barreda DR.Acute inflammation in tissue healing.Int J Mol Sci.2023 Jan;24(1):641. doi:10.3390/ijms24010641
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American Lung Association.Feeling sick? The do’s and don’ts to help you get better and protect others when you have a virus.
University of California San Francisco Health.When to call your doctor about the flu.
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