Adult Influenza (Flu) Treatment in Ohio
MD-only online flu evaluation for adults in Ohio with guideline-based treatment, antiviral prescribing when appropriate, and clear safety screening. $49 flat-fee video visit, no insurance required.
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 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. Gastrointestinal symptoms can occur, including nausea or vomiting, but influenza is primarily a respiratory infection.
In Ohio, influenza activity typically increases during colder months and can lead to missed work days and complications, especially for older adults and people with chronic medical conditions. 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 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 or shortness of breath |
| Shortness of breath at rest or with minimal activity | Possible pneumonia, asthma or COPD flare, or severe influenza | Often no | Blue lips or face, severe wheezing, or rapidly worsening breathing |
| Fever beyond 3 days or fever returning after improvement | Possible complication or secondary infection | Sometimes | High fever with worsening cough, chest pain, or dehydration |
| Vomiting, diarrhea, poor oral intake | Influenza can cause GI symptoms, dehydration risk increases | Sometimes | Unable to keep fluids down, minimal urination, or dizziness |
| High-risk adult with flu symptoms | Higher complication risk including age 65+, chronic heart or lung disease, immunocompromise | Often yes for early evaluation, lower threshold for in-person referral | Rapid progression, worsening breathing, chest pain, or confusion |
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
May cause facial pressure or localized throat pain. Influenza often causes stronger whole-body symptoms.
Asthma or COPD Flare
Viral infections can trigger wheeze and breathing difficulty. Significant respiratory symptoms require 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 Ohio 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 high-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.
- Ask about kidney disease, ulcer risk, pregnancy, or blood thinners before NSAID use.
Antivirals: Tamiflu vs Xofluza
- Oseltamivir is commonly used and is especially important for higher-risk adults or more concerning illness.
- Xofluza is a single-dose option for uncomplicated influenza when started within 48 hours in appropriate adults.
- Your MD chooses the safest option based on timing, risk factors, and overall presentation.
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, often started early or used in higher-risk adults. |
| 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. |
For Xofluza, your MD may recommend separating the dose from mineral supplements or antacids. 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 if safe.
- Consider saline nasal spray, honey for cough when appropriate, and humidified air.
- 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.
Return to work guidance depends on your symptoms and workplace policies. Many adults return when fever has resolved and they can function safely. TeleDirectMD can provide a brief work note when medically appropriate as part of your visit.
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.