General Advice if You Think You Have the Flu
If you are sick with the flu, you may be ill for a week or longer.
Recommendations
- Avoid travel.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the sleeve of your elbow.
- Do not go to work or school until at least 24 hours after your fever is gone. Your fever should be gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine like acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin), or antiviral medications.
- Drink plenty of fluids and rest as much as possible.
- Healthcare workers need to stay home for at least 7 days after symptom onset.
- In general, avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness, especially those with one of the high-risk chronic conditions listed in the frequently asked questions.
- Please stay home, except if you need medical care or other necessities, so you can get better and prevent others from getting ill.
- Wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap or use a hand sanitizer.