Teens and the Flu: Signs, Treatment, and When to Call a Doctor

The flu (influenza) is a common wintertime virus that affects people of all ages. Although most teens can fight it without specific treatment, there are times when it can be uncomfortable and even dangerous.

The influenza virus lives in the noses and throats of people who have the flu. Most teens understand that covering their coughs and sneezes helps keep these germs from spreading to others. And after living through the COVID-19 pandemic, they know the importance of washing their hands often and staying away from people who are sick. 

The flu is expected to spread widely this winter. If you have teenagers, it’s important to know what it’s like for them to get the flu. 

What flu symptoms do teenagers get?

Flu symptoms in teenagers are very similar to those of adults. The most bothersome are often cough, sore throat, headache, and fever. Not everyone gets a fever when they have the flu. For some teens, the flu just feels like a head cold. Most teens don’t get nausea or vomiting with the flu, either. 

Is the flu dangerous for teenagers?

Most of the time, the flu is not dangerous for teens. But every year, some teenagers get severe symptoms with the flu. During the winter of 2022-23, 37 teens between the ages of 12 and 17 died from the flu. 

Some teens are at much higher risk of being hospitalized or dying if they catch the flu. This includes teens with underlying medical conditions, like asthma, diabetes, cancer, neurologic disease, heart disease, or pregnancy. In a typical year, about half of all teens who die from the flu had a significant medical condition before they got sick. 

Which flu treatments are helpful for teens?

Prescription antiviral medications are available for teenagers with the flu. These medications include:

• Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)

• Zanamivir (Relenza)

• Peramivir (Rapivab)

• Baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza)

But keep in mind that these medications have side effects. And most teens can fight the flu without these medications. They’re most often useful for teens with underlying medical conditions and those who need to be hospitalized. 

There are many ways you can help your teen feel better when they have the flu. Here are some things you can do:

• Allow them plenty of time to rest.

• Set up a humidifier near their sleeping area, and offer steamy beverages or broth. The moist air will help keep them hydrated and soothe their throat and nasal passages.

• A heating pad can be comforting for muscle or body aches. If you don’t have a heating pad, you can fill a clean sock with dry rice and warm it in the microwave for 30 seconds.

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) reduce fever and help treat body aches, sore throats, and headaches. 

• Decongestants such as phenylephrine PE (Sudafed PE) can help open up nasal passages.

• Cough suppressants such as dextromethorphan (found in Delsym, Mucinex, and others) can calm a cough and help with sleep. During the day, cough drops might be a better choice because they don’t cause drowsiness.

When to call a healthcare provider

Sometimes teens need to see a medical provider when they have the flu. Call a provider right away if your teenager:

• Has pain with breathing or trouble catching their breath

• Can’t eat, drink, or stay hydrated 

• Isn’t awake and alert for a few hours every day

• Has a fever higher than 104°F that doesn’t come down with fever-reducing medication

• Has pain in their throat, muscles, or chest that won’t let them rest 

• Experiences tingling, numbness, or weakness in their hands or feet

Teens who have an underlying medical condition are at a higher risk of complications when they get the flu. Flu complications can include: 

• Ear infections

• Asthma attacks

• Blood sugar problems

• Pneumonia

• Swelling of the heart, brain, or muscles

Any teen with a chronic medical problem should let their healthcare provider know right away if they develop flu symptoms.

Healthy teenagers who catch the flu don’t always need to see a healthcare provider. But sometimes it’s helpful to get a flu test. A flu test can tell you if your teenager has the flu. And this can let you figure out if their symptoms are from the flu or something else, like strep throat or a sinus infection. A flu test may be an especially good idea if your teen needs to spend time around young children, grandparents, or other vulnerable people.

The flu can last up to 2 weeks. It usually starts quickly and gets better slowly. If your teen seems to be recovering from the flu but then gets worse, get in touch with their medical provider. A fever that lasts longer than 5 days, or flu symptoms that last longer than 2 weeks, are also good reasons to call your provider.

When should you take your teen to the hospital?

Check in on your teen often while they have the flu. If you’re concerned, call your child’s medical provider during their regular office hours to get advice or a same-day appointment. A daytime phone call can often save you a late-night trip to the emergency room.

How to keep your teenager from getting the flu

Teenagers should get a flu shot every year to prevent the flu. It’s the best way to protect teens against severe symptoms.

The flu shot does not cause the flu. Instead, it “wakes up” the immune system and prepares it to fight the flu quickly. The process of waking up the immune system can sometimes make healthy kids feel tired or achy for a few days. But these symptoms are mild compared to what they could experience from the flu.

Unfortunately, the flu shot can’t prevent every case of the flu. It also can’t protect teens against COVID or the common cold. But it has greatly reduced the number of flu cases that happen every year, and it keeps flu cases that do happen from becoming severe.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Kerry R. McGee, MD, FAAP

Kerry McGee, MD, FAAP, has over a decade of experience caring for babies, children, and teenagers as a primary care pediatrician. She has a special interest in adolescent health, particularly in adolescent mental health.

Edited by:

Sophie Vergnaud, MD

Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. An experienced and dedicated pulmonologist and hospitalist, she spent a decade practicing and teaching clinical medicine at academic hospitals throughout London before transitioning to a career in health education and health technology.

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