When to Call the Doctor Regarding the Flu

 Ryan Shellstrom

What to Do If You Get the Flu
CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except if you need to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) If you work in a clinical setting, you must stay home 7 days from onset of symptoms or for 24 hours after your fever (without the use of fever-reducing medicine) has subsided, whichever is greatest.

Stay away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick. Staying at home means that you should not leave your home except to seek medical care.

Should You Call Your Doctor?
If you have severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, contact your health care provider or seek medical care. Your primary care physician will determine whether flu testing or treatment is needed.

If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.

In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

  • Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
  • Bluish or gray skin color
  • Fast breathing or trouble breathing
  • Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
  • Not drinking enough fluids
  • Not waking up or not interacting
  • Severe or persistent vomiting

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

  • Confusion
  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
  • Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
  • Sudden dizziness  
  • Severe or persistent vomiting

For More Information
To learn more about Sharp's services or to find a Sharp-affiliated physician, search for San Diego doctors or call 1-800-82-SHARP (1-800-827-4277), Monday through Friday, 8 am to 6 pm. To find general information about flu care health, visit Influenza in Adult Health or read the Infectious Diseases News archive.