Prepared by Aktif International Hospital Editorial Board .

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What helps with the flu? What you need to know about influenza

The weather has turned colder, and winter is slowly beginning to make its presence felt once again. The summer clothes in our wardrobes have been replaced by winter clothing. Refreshing cold drinks have already given way to warming herbal teas. This cycle repeats every year. We prepare for the new season, yet despite all the precautions we take, we still encounter illnesses such as the common cold and influenza. As temperatures have only recently begun to drop, we wanted to dedicate this article to the flu and highlight what you should pay attention to during flu season.

For most people, the flu is a respiratory infection that generally begins to improve within a few days after symptoms appear. However, during the more severe stages of the illness, high fever, pronounced weakness, and muscle aches can make everyday life difficult. As we try to get through this period, our first instinct is usually to look for an answer to the question of what helps with the flu. Rather than relying on a single medication or remedy, however, the appropriate approach involves rest, adequate fluid intake, safe symptom management, and timely medical evaluation when risk factors or warning signs are present.

Influenza is an infection caused by influenza viruses. Although it can produce symptoms similar to those of the common cold, it usually begins more suddenly, and the following symptoms may be more pronounced:

Fever
Chills
Widespread muscle and joint pain
Headache (you can also read our article: What helps with headaches?)
Dry cough
Severe fatigue

Not every runny nose or sore throat indicates influenza. Therefore, particularly when symptoms are severe, an accurate medical assessment is important for managing the effects of the illness.

What helps with the flu?

The primary goal of flu care is to support the body while the immune system fights the infection and to reduce the risk of complications. The severity of symptoms, the patient’s age, pregnancy status, chronic medical conditions, and immune system function can influence treatment planning.

Rest and sleep support recovery

Fever and infection increase the body’s energy requirements. Intense exercise, insufficient sleep, and demanding work schedules may prolong recovery. Particularly during the feverish stage of the illness, resting at home, getting sufficient sleep, and temporarily reducing daily activities may help support a faster recovery.

Rest is not only intended to reduce fatigue. Because influenza is contagious, remaining highly active and interacting with others during the first few days after symptoms begin can increase the risk of transmitting the virus. The main precautions to help prevent spreading the virus to others include:

Staying at home as much as possible
Wearing a mask in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces
Covering the mouth and nose with the inside of the elbow when coughing or sneezing
Maintaining proper hand hygiene

These precautions can make it more difficult for the virus to spread to others while also supporting the patient’s recovery. Paying attention to personal hygiene, particularly hand cleanliness, is especially important.

Adequate fluid intake is important

Fever, sweating, rapid breathing, and loss of appetite can lead to fluid loss. Water, warm unsweetened beverages, soups, and fluid-rich foods that the person can tolerate may help maintain adequate hydration. Dark-colored urine, dry mouth, dizziness, or a noticeable decrease in urine output may indicate insufficient fluid intake.

Although drinking enough fluids is very important, there is no single recommended amount suitable for everyone. For example, individuals who must restrict their fluid intake because of heart, kidney, or liver disease should follow their physician’s recommendations. People with diabetes should also limit beverages containing high amounts of sugar.

The goal of nutrition is support, not forcing food intake

Appetite may decrease during influenza. It is not necessary to force someone to eat during this period. However, maintaining energy and protein intake through small, frequent meals can be beneficial. Soups, yogurt, eggs, vegetables, fruits, and well-cooked, easily digestible protein sources may be preferred.

Vitamin C, herbal products, and various supplements are not treatments that directly cure influenza. It is important to remember that some supplements may interact with medications, cause allergic reactions, or be unsuitable for individuals with certain medical conditions. People who regularly take medications are particularly advised not to start taking supplements without consulting a physician or pharmacist.

How can fever, pain, nasal congestion, and cough be managed?

Medications used to relieve fever and pain should be selected according to the individual’s age, existing medical conditions, pregnancy status, and other medications they may be taking. Paracetamol or certain anti-inflammatory medications may be used to manage fever and pain in suitable patients. A qualified healthcare professional should assess whether these medications are appropriate for the individual. It is important to remember that exceeding the recommended dose or taking multiple products containing the same active ingredient can pose risks to the liver, kidneys, or stomach.

Combination cold medications, in particular, may contain several active ingredients. Therefore, it is essential to read product labels carefully and consult a healthcare professional if there is any uncertainty. Children and adolescents should never be given aspirin during viral infections such as chickenpox or influenza. Aspirin use during viral illnesses may trigger a rare but extremely serious condition called Reye’s syndrome, which can cause sudden, severe damage to the brain and liver and may be life-threatening.

For nasal congestion, avoiding excessively dry indoor air, taking a warm shower, and using saline nasal products may provide relief. However, caution is necessary when using nasal decongestant sprays. Although these products may offer short-term relief for some people, prolonged or uncontrolled use can worsen congestion. Individuals with high blood pressure, heart rhythm disorders, prostate conditions, glaucoma (see: Glaucoma treatment), or thyroid disorders should consult a physician or pharmacist before using these products.

Coughing is a natural response of the respiratory tract to irritation or mucus. Warm fluids and honey may help soothe the throat in adults and children older than one year. However, honey must never be given to infants under one year of age. Spores that may be present in honey can cause botulism (infant botulism), a serious form of foodborne illness, in an infant’s developing digestive system. It should also be remembered that cough suppressants and expectorants do not provide the same benefits for everyone. These medications should be used according to age and clinical condition following medical evaluation.

Who should be considered for antiviral treatment?

When dealing with influenza and similar illnesses, antibiotics are often among the first treatments that come to mind. However, antibiotics do not work against influenza viruses. Unless a bacterial infection is present, using antibiotics to treat influenza provides no benefit. On the contrary, unnecessary antibiotic use carries the following risks:

Exposure to medication side effects
Increased risk of antibiotic resistance developing in bacteria

In contrast, certain antiviral medications are available for influenza. However, antiviral treatment may not be suitable for every patient with the flu:

Timing: When antiviral medication is considered appropriate, starting treatment within the first 48 hours after symptom onset may reduce the duration of illness and the risk of complications.
Medical evaluation: Patients with severe illness requiring hospitalization and individuals in high-risk groups must be evaluated by a physician.

People at high risk of influenza complications

The following individuals have a higher risk of developing severe influenza and related complications. Therefore, they should seek medical evaluation promptly as soon as symptoms appear:

Pregnant women
Adults over the age of 65
Children under the age of 5
People with weakened or suppressed immune systems
Individuals with chronic medical conditions (asthma, chronic lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, or neurological conditions)

When should you see a doctor for flu treatment?

Influenza usually improves with supportive care at home. However, complications such as pneumonia, dehydration, worsening of existing chronic conditions, or, in rare cases, more serious illnesses may develop. The following situations require emergency or same-day medical evaluation:

Shortness of breath, rapid breathing, chest pain, or bluish discoloration of the lips
Confusion, fainting, pronounced dizziness or disorientation, or difficulty waking the person
Inability to drink fluids, persistent vomiting, a significant decrease in urine output, or severe weakness
Fever lasting several days, returning after it has subsided, or symptoms becoming noticeably worse
Reduced feeding, irritability, breathing difficulties, or high fever relative to age in infants

In individuals with chronic medical conditions, infections may trigger shortness of breath, blood sugar fluctuations, changes in blood pressure, or symptoms of heart failure. Therefore, it is important not to discontinue medications prescribed for existing conditions without medical advice and to monitor any new symptoms carefully.

The most effective approach to preventing influenza

Seasonal influenza vaccination is one of the main methods of protection against influenza and serious flu-related illness. The vaccine composition is regularly updated according to the influenza virus strains expected to circulate. Although vaccination may not completely prevent influenza, it plays an important role in reducing the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and complications.

Hand hygiene, ventilation of enclosed and crowded spaces, avoiding touching the face with unwashed hands, and limiting close contact with people who are ill can also reduce the risk of transmission. If someone in the household is sick, cleaning frequently touched surfaces and, when possible, keeping personal items separate may be beneficial.

Proper flu care is not simply about suppressing symptoms. Monitoring the body’s needs, avoiding unnecessary medication use, and recognizing warning signs promptly are important for managing recovery appropriately. If you are uncertain about the severity of your symptoms or which medications you should take, seeking medical advice tailored to your individual health condition is the appropriate approach.

Flu and home care recommendations from Aktif International Hospital specialists

Influenza is a contagious respiratory infection that is often underestimated but can lead to serious complications, particularly among high-risk individuals. We asked our physicians about the precautions that should be taken to protect your health during flu season and help you manage the illness as safely as possible. We have summarized their key recommendations below:

Give your body the opportunity to recover: Rest is one of the most important components of flu recovery. Slowing down your daily routine during the first few days of symptoms is one of the most effective ways to conserve the energy your immune system needs to fight the virus.
Do not try to eliminate fever immediately: Although high fever can be uncomfortable, it is a natural indication that the body is responding to an infection. The goal is not necessarily to eliminate fever completely, but to manage it safely and keep you comfortable. Avoid using fever-reducing medications in doses or combinations that have not been recommended by your physician.
Be cautious about combining medications without medical guidance: Do not rely on medication recommendations from friends or family members or take leftover medications without professional advice. Many cold medications sold under different brand names contain the same active ingredients. Taking these medications together may unintentionally place excessive strain on your liver and kidneys.
Break the chain of transmission within the household: If possible, allowing the sick person to rest in a separate room, thoroughly ventilating shared living spaces several times a day, and keeping personal items such as towels separate are among the most practical ways to protect other family members.
Seek professional advice if symptoms persist: If persistent symptoms continue for more than 4–5 days despite supportive care at home, a secondary bacterial infection may have developed. In such situations, seeking professional medical evaluation at the appropriate hospital outpatient department rather than attempting self-treatment is the safest approach.

Aktif International Hospital health note: Whenever you have concerns about your health, consulting a specialist physician for accurate guidance and a personalized treatment plan is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your well-being.