If you get the flu, do you need to see a doctor?

BALTIMORE - So if you think you're coming down with the flu, what should you do? Rush to the hospital? Go see a doctor?

It depends on who you are.

If you're a healthy adult, there's really nothing a doctor can prescribe to make you feel better.

The best thing to do is to stay home, get plenty of rest, and drink lots of water.

You can also take over the counter pain relief pills to help with your fever and body aches.

But for kids and the elderly, it's important to see a doctor right away. They're more at risk because their immune systems aren't as strong. And that can put them at risk for more complications from the flu like pneumonia and respiratory problems.

For adults with underlying medical conditions, it's also important to get medical help right away.

There are some anti-viral medications a doctor can prescribe for those high risk groups.

If you come down with the flu, you're usually contagious for about 7 days.

Don't ignore your symptoms, you should stay home and get plenty of rest so you don't spread the flu to others.

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