Seasonal influenza
Based on CDC and WHO guidance, checked against those sources on Oct 12, 2026. Educational information only — not a diagnosis or a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional.
1 · Prevention
- Get a flu vaccine each season if it is recommended for you — most people 6 months and older are eligible. Ask a healthcare professional or pharmacist.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick and stay home when you are sick.
- Wash hands often and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Clean frequently touched surfaces at home, work and school.
Vaccines & preventive medicines
- Seasonal flu vaccines are updated every year. A healthcare professional can tell you which vaccine fits your age and health.
- Prescription flu antiviral medicines can treat flu and, in some situations, prevent it after exposure. They work best when started early — only a healthcare professional can prescribe them.
2 · Possible exposure
- Symptoms usually appear 1–4 days after exposure, so watch closely for about 4 days.
- If you are at higher risk of complications, contact a healthcare professional promptly — they may recommend antiviral medicine.
- Wash hands often and avoid close contact with people at higher risk while you watch for symptoms.
3 · Symptoms or illness
- Stay home and away from others (including people you live with, where possible) while you are sick.
- You can go back to normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, your symptoms are getting better overall and you have not had a fever without using fever-reducing medicine.
- For the next 5 days after that, take added precautions: wear a well-fitting mask around others, keep distance, wash hands often, improve ventilation, and consider testing.
- Rest and drink plenty of fluids.
- Ask a healthcare professional about testing and antiviral treatment, especially if you are at higher risk.
Protect family & others
- Cover coughs and sneezes; wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Open windows or use air filtration to bring in cleaner air when someone is sick at home.
- Wear a well-fitting mask around others while you have symptoms or during the added-precautions period.
- Keep extra distance from people at higher risk of severe illness (older adults, babies, pregnant people, people with weakened immune systems).
- Follow the stay-home and added-precautions steps above.
- Schools, workplaces and care facilities may have their own return rules.
Groups at higher risk of severe illness
- Adults 65 and older
- Children younger than 5, especially under 2
- People who are pregnant or gave birth in the last 2 weeks
- People with asthma, heart disease, diabetes, chronic lung or kidney disease, neurologic conditions, a past stroke, severe obesity, or weakened immune systems
- Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities