Influenza (flu) usually goes away on its own after a week or two. In some cases, antiviral drugs can be used to shorten the time you feel ill with influenza. These drugs actually attack the virus, preventing it from growing. The best “cure” for influenza, however, is prevention.

Does influenza go away on its own?

If you have influenza, you can expect the illness to go away on its own in about 7 to 10 days. In the meantime, you can take steps to feel better: Get extra rest.

Can you survive influenza?

While most cases of the flu resolve on their own, the flu can become life-threatening if complications like pneumonia arise alongside it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates there were a record-high 61,100 flu deaths in the United States in the 2017-2018 season.