Flu Symptoms and Care

Influenza, known as the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus. Flu symptoms can include fever, body aches, chills, headache, congestion and coughing. These can be similar to common cold symptoms, but the flu can be very serious and can lead to death. It's especially dangerous for babies, the elderly and people who have certain health conditions.

COVID-19, or coronavirus, shares some symptoms with the flu, and can also cause severe illness and death. If you think you may have coronavirus, consult our COVID-19 Screener for an initial assessment, or call your doctor.

Because COVID-19 is still a concern, it's very important to get a flu vaccine. While seasonal flu cases have declined slightly due to the pandemic, immune protection remains critical and is your best chance to prevent coming down with the flu. And by staying healthy, you’ll leave room in the hospital for people who are seriously ill.

Do You Think You Have the Flu?

If you have flu symptoms, schedule an in-person or Video Visit through Sutter Walk-In Care or contact your care team through My Health Online. Don’t have a primary care doctor? We can help.

Flu Care at Home

You can treat mild flu symptoms at home. Here are some top self-care tips:

• Get plenty of rest. If you have signs of the flu, do your best to avoid exposing others to the virus.
• Take over-the-counter pain medication, such as aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Ask your doctor for alternatives if you're allergic to these medications. Pregnant women should not take ibuprofen and children should not take aspirin.
• Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, soups and drinks with electrolytes.
• Take antiviral medications if prescribed by your doctor.