How long does the flu last?
The acute misery, fever, aches, chills, typically runs three to five days. The cough and fatigue routinely drag on for one to two weeks after, which is normal and not a sign the flu came back. Adults are most contagious from the day before symptoms through roughly day three or four.
Antivirals like oseltamivir shorten the illness by about a day, but only if started within 48 hours of symptoms, which is why calling the doctor early matters more than toughing it out. They matter most for higher-risk groups: over 65, pregnant, asthmatic, or immunocompromised.
Go to care urgently for trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, or a fever that improves and then returns worse, which can signal a secondary infection like pneumonia.
Fever and the worst of it: three to five days. The cough and fatigue: up to two weeks. You are most contagious in the first three days, and antivirals only help if started within 48 hours.
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https://frequentlyaskedquestions.us/q/how-long-does-the-flu-last/Everybody Asks. (2026, July 28). How long does the flu last? https://frequentlyaskedquestions.us/q/how-long-does-the-flu-last/“How long does the flu last?” Everybody Asks, 28 July 2026, https://frequentlyaskedquestions.us/q/how-long-does-the-flu-last/.“How long does the flu last?” Everybody Asks. Last modified July 28, 2026. https://frequentlyaskedquestions.us/q/how-long-does-the-flu-last/.This page summarizes the primary sources listed above. For academic or encyclopedic work, cite those primary sources directly wherever possible.