Adult Influenza (Flu) Treatment Online
MD-only online flu evaluation for adults with guideline-based treatment, antiviral prescribing when appropriate, and clear safety screening. $49 flat-fee video visit, no insurance required, available in 25+ states.
Influenza is viral. Antibiotics do not treat influenza. TeleDirectMD focuses on safe, evidence-based flu care and helps identify when in-person evaluation is safer, including breathing difficulty, chest pain, dehydration, or confusion.
- Assessment for flu vs COVID-19 vs common cold
- Antiviral options may include Tamiflu or Xofluza when appropriate
- Return-to-work guidance and optional brief work note when medically appropriate
- Adults only (18+)
What Is Influenza (Flu)?
Influenza is a contagious viral respiratory illness caused by influenza A or influenza B. It often starts abruptly and commonly causes fever, chills, body aches, headache, severe fatigue, cough, and sore throat. Some adults experience nausea or vomiting, but influenza is primarily a respiratory infection.
Influenza spreads through respiratory droplets and close contact. TeleDirectMD provides adult-only, MD-only online care focused on accurate triage, antiviral treatment when appropriate, and clear guidance for safe recovery.
Influenza Symptoms and Red Flags
Influenza can look similar to COVID-19 and other viral respiratory infections. TeleDirectMD evaluates timing, symptom pattern, risk factors, and any available testing history, then focuses on safety screening and evidence-based care.
| Symptom or pattern | What it suggests | Telehealth appropriate? | Red flag requiring urgent in-person or ER care |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sudden fever, chills, severe body aches | Typical influenza pattern, also possible with COVID-19 | Often yes if stable and able to hydrate | Confusion, fainting, severe weakness, or inability to stay awake |
| Dry cough, sore throat, headache | Viral respiratory illness including influenza | Often yes | Chest pain, shortness of breath, blue lips or face |
| Shortness of breath at rest or with minimal activity | Possible pneumonia, asthma or COPD flare, or severe influenza | Often no | Rapidly worsening breathing, severe wheezing, low oxygen concerns |
| Fever beyond 3 days or fever returning after improvement | Possible complication or secondary infection | Sometimes | High fever with worsening cough, chest pain, dehydration, or new confusion |
| Vomiting, diarrhea, poor oral intake | Influenza can cause GI symptoms, dehydration risk increases | Sometimes | Unable to keep fluids down, minimal urination, dizziness, fainting |
| High-risk adult with flu symptoms | Higher complication risk including age 65+, chronic disease, pregnancy, immunocompromise | Often yes for early evaluation, lower threshold for in-person referral | Rapid progression, worsening breathing, chest pain, confusion |
Testing and Diagnosis
Influenza is often diagnosed clinically based on the timing and pattern of symptoms, local circulation, and exposures. When available, rapid antigen or molecular tests can help confirm influenza and may be useful for work, travel, or high-risk household contacts.
At-home and retail testing
- At-home tests that include influenza and COVID-19 may be helpful early in illness.
- Retail clinics and urgent care centers may offer rapid flu testing.
- Testing does not replace red-flag screening for severe symptoms.
When testing matters most
- High-risk adults where a confirmed diagnosis affects next steps.
- Adults in the first 48 hours when antivirals are being considered.
- When symptoms are atypical or complications are suspected.
Conditions That Can Mimic Influenza
Several infections cause overlapping symptoms. Your TeleDirectMD physician uses symptom timing, exposures, and any available testing to guide the diagnosis and the safest plan.
COVID-19
Symptoms overlap significantly. Testing helps guide isolation and treatment options when relevant.
Common Cold
Often more gradual and milder with less severe body aches and less abrupt fever.
Acute Bronchitis
Usually viral cough illness. Severe body aches and abrupt fever are less typical than influenza.
Pneumonia
May cause shortness of breath, chest pain, low oxygen, or persistent high fever, and often needs in-person evaluation.
Sinus infection or sore throat illness
More localized symptoms. Influenza often causes stronger whole-body symptoms.
Asthma or COPD flare
Viral infections can trigger wheeze and breathing difficulty. Significant respiratory symptoms need urgent evaluation.
When Influenza Can Be Managed Through Telehealth
TeleDirectMD is best for adults with flu-like symptoms who are stable and able to safely recover at home. The visit focuses on safety screening, antiviral eligibility, and symptom control.
When a Video Visit Is Appropriate
- Adult 18+ with fever, aches, cough, or sore throat without severe breathing symptoms.
- Symptoms started recently, especially within 48 hours if considering antivirals.
- Able to drink fluids and urinate regularly.
- No chest pain, confusion, fainting, or blue lips.
- Physically located in a state where TeleDirectMD is available at the time of the visit.
Red Flags Requiring In-Person or ER Care
- Shortness of breath at rest, chest pain, or worsening respiratory symptoms.
- Confusion, severe weakness, fainting, or inability to stay awake.
- Unable to keep fluids down, dizziness, or signs of dehydration.
- Blue lips or face, severe wheezing, or oxygen concerns.
- Rapid worsening in higher-risk adults including age 65+ or significant chronic disease.
How TeleDirectMD Treats Influenza in Adults
Influenza treatment is focused on symptom relief, hydration, and antiviral medication when appropriate. Antivirals work best when started early and are especially important for higher-risk adults.
Supportive care
- Hydration with water, soups, and electrolyte solutions.
- Rest and pacing activity until fever resolves and energy improves.
- Humidified air and warm fluids for cough and throat irritation.
Fever and body aches
- Acetaminophen and ibuprofen can reduce fever and aches when safe for you.
- Avoid duplicate acetaminophen products.
- Use extra caution with kidney disease, ulcer history, anticoagulants, or pregnancy.
Cough and congestion
- Honey, lozenges, and humidified air can help throat irritation.
- Saline nasal spray and hydration can reduce post-nasal drip.
- Benzonatate may be used for adults when clinically appropriate.
Antivirals: Tamiflu vs Xofluza
Antivirals are not required for every adult, but they can reduce symptom duration and may reduce complication risk in higher-risk patients when started early. TeleDirectMD evaluates timing, risk factors, and medication safety before prescribing.
Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)
- Often used for higher-risk adults and more concerning illness.
- Typically used for 5 days.
- Common side effects may include nausea or vomiting.
- Dose adjustments may be needed in kidney disease.
Baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza)
- Single-dose option for uncomplicated influenza when started early.
- Weight-based dosing.
- May be separated from supplements or antacids containing polyvalent cations.
- Not the best fit for every clinical scenario; your MD will advise.
Medication Table for Adult Influenza
These are common adult regimens used for influenza and symptom control. TeleDirectMD individualizes recommendations based on your history and risk factors.
| Medication | Dose | Duration | When used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oseltamivir | 75 mg by mouth 2 times daily | 5 days | Suspected or confirmed influenza when clinically appropriate, especially higher-risk adults or more concerning illness. |
| Baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza) | 40 mg by mouth once if 40 kg to <80 kg, 80 mg by mouth once if ≥80 kg | Single dose | Uncomplicated influenza in appropriate adults, typically when started within 48 hours of symptom onset. |
| Acetaminophen | 650 mg by mouth every 6 hours as needed | As needed | Fever, headache, or body aches when safe for the patient. |
| Ibuprofen | 400 mg by mouth every 6 to 8 hours as needed with food | As needed | Fever or body aches when safe for the patient. |
| Benzonatate | 100 mg by mouth 3 times daily as needed | Up to 7 days | Adult cough relief when clinically appropriate and safe for the patient. |
TeleDirectMD does not prescribe controlled substances for influenza visits.
Home Care and Return to Work
Most adults improve with supportive care. Influenza can cause intense fatigue, and recovery often takes 7 to 14 days. A cough can persist longer even after fever improves.
Home care checklist
- Drink fluids regularly and monitor urination.
- Use fever reducers as directed when safe.
- Use humidified air, warm fluids, and saline spray as needed.
- Stay home while febrile and limit close contact to reduce spread.
When to recheck
- Fever lasts more than 3 days or returns after improving.
- Worsening cough, chest pain, or shortness of breath.
- Severe weakness, dizziness, or dehydration symptoms.
- New symptoms that raise concern for complications.
Many adults return to work when fever has resolved and they can function safely. Workplace policies vary. TeleDirectMD can provide a brief work note when medically appropriate as part of your visit.
Prevention and household guidance
Preventing spread
- Hand hygiene and covering coughs and sneezes.
- Masking in close-contact settings when symptomatic.
- Avoid close contact with high-risk individuals when ill.
- Clean high-touch surfaces during the first days of illness.
Vaccination
- Annual flu vaccination reduces risk of infection and severe disease.
- High-risk adults and household contacts benefit the most.
- Vaccination does not replace evaluation for severe symptoms.
TeleDirectMD Influenza Care: What to Expect
TeleDirectMD provides MD-only virtual urgent care for adults for $49 flat-fee video visits in 25+ states. Your physician reviews symptoms, timing, risk factors, and any available testing. When appropriate, we prescribe antiviral treatment and provide symptom control guidance, isolation education, and clear red-flag thresholds for urgent in-person care. No controlled substances are prescribed.