What to do if you get a respiratory infection: A Mayo Clinic physician offers tips - Mayo Clinic News Network (2025)

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,respiratory infectionslike colds, flu and RSV arerisingacross the U.S.

When you get sick, it’s helpful to understand how to manage your symptoms effectively, especially if you’re at higher risk for complications.Dr. Tina Ardon, a family medicine physician at Mayo Clinic, offers tips for managing common viral illnesses and when to seek medical care.

Recognizing symptoms

Flu symptoms include sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, fever, body aches and fatigue. These symptoms may overlap with other illnesses, like the common cold, but key differences exist. Colds generally develop gradually, while flu symptoms typically appear suddenly within two or three days of exposure to the virus.

Managing your symptoms

Start using over-the-counter medications such as pain relievers or cough suppressants to alleviate your symptoms. Staying hydrated is essential; drink plenty of water, broth or warm tea to nourish your body. Using a humidifier or taking a steamy shower can help ease congestion and make breathing easier.

Your body needs time to heal, so rest is crucial. "If you can, I highly recommend you stay home from school and work so your immune system can recover," says Dr. Ardon.

Try the following to help manage symptoms:

• Stay hydrated: Drink water, juice, or warm lemon water with honey to ease congestion and prevent dehydration. Avoid alcohol, coffee, and caffeinated drinks.
• Use warm liquids: Sip chicken soup, tea or warm apple juice to help with congestion.
• Try honey:Honeycan soothe coughs in adults and children over 1 year old. Add it to warm tea or lemon water.
• Rest: Let your body recover with plenty of rest.
• Add moisture: Use a cool-mist humidifier or vaporizer to relieve stuffiness. Clean and refill daily.

Planning ahead

For people at higher risk of flu complications—such as older adults or those who are pregnant or have chronic conditions or weakened immune systems—consider discussing a care plan with your doctor before getting sick. “If you’re at higher risk, we may recommend closer monitoring or additional care,” says Dr. Ardon.

High-risk patients diagnosed with the flu might be prescribedantiviral medications. These prescription drugs, available as pills, liquids, inhaled powders, or intravenous solutions, target the flu virus directly and require a medical prescription.

It’s important to note that flu antivirals differ from antibiotics, which treat bacterial infections, and antiviral treatments for other illnesses like COVID-19. Flu-specific antivirals won’t work for COVID-19 and vice versa.

When to seek medical attention

While most respiratory illnesses resolve on their own, you should seekmedical careif your symptoms worsen or if you experience any of the following:

• Trouble breathing
• Chest pain
• Dizziness or confusion
• Severe dehydration or weakness

For children, also watch for:

• Fast breathing or blue lips
• No tears when crying or no urination
• Symptoms that improve but then return or worsen

Dr. Ardon says recovering from a respiratory virus can be managed at home for most people. "Knowing when to get help can make all the difference," she says.

Related Articles