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Consult a doctor online to treat your flu

Headaches, fever, intense fatigue can be symptoms of the flu. Should you always consult a general practitioner, and what are the solutions to recover quickly? Feeli guides you.

Flu: contagion and mode of transmission

Seasonal flu affects more than 2 million people in France every year. A very common acute respiratory infectious disease, flu is contagious. It is mostly spread through airborne transmission as well as through touch or contact with the hands. The infection is caused by the Influenza virus, which has the particularity of having great genetic variability. The viral infection weakens the body as a whole and can lead to severe complications in some of the most vulnerable people. Three types of Influenza virus can infect humans: A, B and C. Type C is generally responsible for infections that go fairly unnoticed and can resemble a cold. It is viruses A and B that are responsible for the majority of flu epidemic cases and can cause a pandemic. Flu viruses are varied and easily manage to outwit our immune system, which explains why seasonal flu epidemics vary from one year to the next. Following hygiene measures and getting vaccinated are steps that help avoid the flu. Flu symptoms in a patient can start 24 to 48 hours after being infected with the virus. The onset of symptoms is often sudden. Generally, the patient has a high fever (above 39°C), headaches, a dry cough, intense and generalised fatigue, as well as joint and muscle pain. These symptoms last from several days to a week. It can take 15 days for the patient to fully recover. Of course, the intensity and severity of symptoms vary depending on each person's age and health. Often, with the flu, the patient sees their symptoms ease around day 4 before intensifying again on day 5 or 6.

What are the symptoms of seasonal flu?

Flu symptoms vary from person to person, but generally include:
 • A high fever, usually appearing suddenly, and above 38°C;
 • Cold sweats and chills;
 • Headaches (see migraine);
 • A sore throat;
 • Extreme fatigue (general weakness);
 • Aches and pains;
 • Nasal congestion;
 • A dry cough;
 • Sneezing;
 • Sometimes, stomach ache and diarrhoea.
These symptoms can therefore be very similar to those of a cold, COVID-19 or other respiratory infections. Nevertheless, flu tends to appear suddenly and causes more severe symptoms than a common cold.

How long does a bout of flu last?

Flu usually lasts a few days, around 1 to 2 weeks. However, this duration can vary from person to person. Flu symptoms generally appear one to four days after exposure to the virus (incubation period). The key points to remember about the duration of flu include:
 • An incubation period of 1 to 4 days, corresponding to the time between exposure to the virus and the onset of symptoms;
 • Flu symptoms (muscle pain, fever, headaches, cough, fatigue, etc.) can last from a few days to two weeks;
 • An infected person is generally contagious one day before symptoms appear, and during the 5 to 7 days that follow the onset of symptoms.

What causes the flu?

A highly contagious viral respiratory disease, flu is mainly caused by 3 types of influenza virus: A, B and C. Because the strains of these viruses are constantly evolving, it is often difficult to prevent or treat the disease. This is mainly why the seasonal flu vaccine needs to be renewed every year, in order to remain effective against new flu strains. The viruses are also transmitted from one person to another through respiratory droplets, expelled when sneezing, coughing or talking, or through contact with contaminated surfaces. Regarding seasonality, flu is common during the autumn and winter months (Northern Hemisphere). In addition, cold, dry weather favours the spread of flu viruses. To conclude, annual vaccination is the most effective way to stay protected against flu, as it targets the most common viral strains from one year to the next. Other hygiene measures are important, such as washing your hands frequently, to reduce the risk of transmission.

Getting quick access to a medical consultation to treat the flu

A visit to the doctor is not automatic. Most healthy adults recover within a week. An over-the-counter treatment may be enough to relieve flu symptoms in most cases. However, antiviral medication is needed in some cases. Antiviral treatment is indeed often prescribed to vulnerable people. These vulnerable patients have every reason to see a doctor to avoid any complications. Elderly people, pregnant women, people with diabetes, heart conditions or fragile lungs need to receive antiviral treatment within 48 hours to ease the clinical signs of the virus. As a general rule, anyone who catches the flu should see a doctor without delay in case of shortness of breath, breathing problems, pain associated with breathing, or feeling faint. Online consultation is an effective solution for consulting a general practitioner without delay. Acting quickly is often necessary in flu cases. Feeli offers flexibility in the ability to consult a doctor through an online consultation. As soon as flu symptoms appear in a vulnerable person, or as soon as symptoms worsen in a healthy adult, go to Feeli. Being put in touch with a healthcare professional happens without an appointment. The process is simplified so that patients can access care quickly and get better.

When should you get vaccinated against the flu?

Flu prevention mainly relies on annual vaccination. Sometimes, antiviral medication can also be prescribed preventively. Regarding annual vaccination, it is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and older (with rare exceptions), and in particular for healthcare staff, who are exposed to a higher risk of complications. There are 2 main types of flu vaccine, namely:
 1. Injectable vaccines, containing inactivated (killed) viruses or virus fragments;
 2. An inhaled vaccine, in the form of a nasal spray.
Everyone aged at least 6 months can receive an inactivated injectable vaccine, including pregnant women. People over 65 can also receive a higher dose. In all cases, medical advice is essential to find out the contraindications of a vaccine and choose the vaccine best suited to your personal situation.

How do you treat the flu?

Flu treatment relies mainly on rest and hydration. Indeed, it is advisable to avoid exertion, rest well and drink plenty of water, so that the body can recover. For example, it is recommended to wait 24 to 48 hours after the fever has gone before resuming your usual activities. For fever and pain, painkillers, such as paracetamol, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as aspirin or ibuprofen) can be used. However, adolescents under 18 and children should not take aspirin, because of the risk of Reye's syndrome. Otherwise, the general therapeutic measures are the same as for a cold, namely the use of nasal decongestants and inhalations to relieve respiratory symptoms. Lastly, antiviral medicines (baloxavir, zanamivir, oseltamivir and peramivir), sometimes used preventively, are also useful for treating flu. Even so, they are only effective if given within the first two days after symptoms appear. Finally, if the flu is of bacterial origin, antibiotics may be needed.

How do you tell the difference between flu and COVID-19?

COVID-19 and flu are two respiratory illnesses that share a number of symptoms, which can make it harder to tell them apart without a medical diagnosis. Differences do exist, however, but generally speaking, a screening test is needed to confirm the diagnosis. In addition, the symptoms common to COVID-19 and flu can include:
 • A cough;
 • Fever;
 • Muscle pain;
 • Fatigue;
 • Breathing difficulties, shortness of breath;
 • Nasal congestion;
 • A sore throat;
 • Headaches;
 • Loss of taste or smell.
However, flu and COVID-19 can be told apart by other symptoms:
 • COVID-19 is more likely to cause gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhoea;
 • COVID-19 more often causes severe respiratory symptoms, such as pneumonia;
 • Loss of taste and smell is generally more common with COVID-19 than with flu;
 • Flu symptoms generally appear more suddenly;
 • COVID-19 is more contagious than flu.
In summary, the only reliable way to tell COVID-19 apart from flu is to carry out a PCR test or an antigen test for COVID-19. A laboratory test can also be carried out for flu.

The benefits of using Feeli to treat the flu

Are you ill and need treatment for the flu? Feeli offers you fast care with a general practitioner directly online, with no appointment needed. When symptoms get worse in the evening or at the weekend, it isn't always easy to get an urgent appointment with a GP. Consulting a doctor online on Feeli means you can get treatment in the evening, at the weekend, or in an area with few healthcare professionals. Feeli's doctors are all registered with the Medical Council and qualified to treat patients. Teleconsultation saves the patient time, as they don't need to travel while ill and contagious. No appointment needed: as soon as flu symptoms appear, you can go to the Feeli website to talk to a GP. Looking after yourself, your children or your loved ones becomes easy. A single connection from a computer, tablet or smartphone is enough to get medical care and advice. Access to consultations is fast; when needed, the doctor exchanges with their patient via the instant messaging service. Consulting a doctor online is a convenient solution for receiving suitable treatment and getting a prescription that can be used as-is at the pharmacy. Some flu symptoms require a medical consultation. Feeli lets you consult a healthcare professional online without delay.