This season, don't treat your flu at home, says doctor

As flu cases typically rise during the monsoon months, doctors are urging people not to ignore symptoms or rely only on home remedies. While influenza often begins with what feels like a common cold, it can spread rapidly within households and may lead to serious complications in vulnerable people, including young children, older adults, pregnant women, and those with chronic illnesses.

Many families experience the same pattern every year: one member develops fever, cough, and body aches, and within a few days, everyone else in the house falls sick. This chain of infection is not a coincidence. Influenza is highly contagious and spreads quickly in homes where family members share living spaces, meals, and everyday objects.

According to Dr Manisha Arora, Director - Internal Medicine at the CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, influenza should not be treated casually. Early medical advice, proper isolation, vaccination, and good hygiene can significantly reduce the risk of severe illness and prevent the virus from spreading to loved ones.

This is known as household transmission, something that became widely recognised during the COVID-19 pandemic. If one family member is infected with influenza, the virus can easily spread to others through respiratory droplets released when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or even talks.

The risk is especially high because family members spend



long hours together, often sharing bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and common living areas. The incubation period of influenza is usually one to four days, meaning an infected person can spread the virus even before symptoms become fully obvious.

The virus can also survive on commonly touched surfaces such as door handles, mobile phones, TV remotes, light switches, and kitchen counters. When another person touches these contaminated surfaces and then touches their face, they may become infected.

People who are at the highest risk include:

. Elderly adults

. Young children

. Pregnant women

. People with weakened immunity

. Individuals with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, asthma, heart disease, or kidney disease

Many people assume that influenza is simply a seasonal viral fever that will improve on its own. While mild cases often recover with rest, self-medicating or delaying medical consultation can be risky, especially if symptoms become severe or if the patient belongs to a high-risk group.

Persistent high fever, difficulty breathing, chest pain, confusion, dehydration, or symptoms that worsen after initial improvement should never be ignored. Prompt medical evaluation can help prevent complications and ensure appropriate treatment.