Most adults with the flu get better at home with rest and fluids. Go to the ER if you have trouble breathing, chest pain or pressure, or a seizure. Confusion or dizziness that will not go away, or no urination, also needs the ER. A fever or cough that improves and then comes back worse also needs emergency care. This guide covers each warning sign, who is at higher risk, and when to call 911 instead of driving.
Most Flu Does Not Need the ER
The flu makes you feel terrible, but feeling terrible is not the same as being in danger. The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) notes that flu can often be managed at home with rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medicine.
The ER is for the minority of cases where the virus causes complications. Those complications can be serious, which is why the warning signs below matter.
“Emergency physicians routinely manage patients with severe flu, which can lead to complications and hospitalization.”
L. Anthony Cirillo, MD, FACEP, president of ACEP, in an October 2025 ACEP statement
Flu Emergency Warning Signs in Adults
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists these emergency warning signs of flu in adults. If you have any of them, go to the ER:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Our breathing emergency team checks oxygen levels right away.
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen.
- Persistent dizziness, confusion, or trouble waking up.
- Seizures.
- Not urinating. This is a sign of serious dehydration.
- Severe muscle pain.
- Severe weakness or unsteadiness.
- Fever or cough that improve but then return or worsen.
- Worsening of a chronic medical condition, such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease.
MedlinePlus adds a simple rule: any breathing problem with the flu is an emergency. Seek help right away.
When to Call 911 Instead of Driving
Call 911 if the person is struggling to breathe, has a seizure, cannot be woken, or has chest pain with sweating or nausea. Paramedics can start treatment on the way.
Do not drive yourself if you feel confused or faint. Ask someone else to drive, or call 911.
The Warning Sign People Miss: Better, Then Worse
A common pattern goes like this. The fever breaks, you start to feel human again, and then two days later the fever and cough come roaring back. Many people assume it is the same flu dragging on.
The CDC lists this pattern as an emergency warning sign. A relapse can mean a complication has set in. MedlinePlus lists pneumonia among the complications of flu, along with inflammation of the heart muscle and infections of the brain.
The flu can also strain the heart. During the severe 2017 to 2018 season, ACEP’s president noted more irregular heart rhythms and heart attacks during or soon after the flu.
“If you have emergency warning signs or complications, go to the nearest emergency department immediately.”
Paul Kivela, MD, MBA, FACEP, then president of ACEP, in ACEP’s 2018 flu guidance
Who Is at Higher Risk of Flu Complications?
According to the CDC, some people are more likely to develop serious flu complications:
- Adults 65 and older
- People of any age with chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease
- Pregnant women
- Children younger than 5, especially those younger than 2
If you are in one of these groups, MedlinePlus advises contacting your provider when you get the flu, even before any warning sign appears. For children, see our RSV vs. flu guide for parents.
What Should You Do at Home If You Have No Warning Signs?
If none of the warning signs apply, home care is usually the right call:
- Rest and drink plenty of fluids.
- Use fever reducers as the label directs.
- Stay home and away from others, including people in your household, as much as you can.
- Keep watching for the warning signs above.
MedlinePlus also advises contacting your provider if flu symptoms are very bad and not getting better. For adults, it advises calling right away for a fever that stays at or keeps rising above 103°F (39.4°C).
What Happens at the ER for the Flu?
At ER of Irving, an emergency physician checks your breathing, oxygen level, and hydration first. Our on-site lab runs flu and COVID testing, so you learn what you have during the same visit.
If pneumonia is a concern, a chest X-ray is taken on site. If you are dehydrated, IV fluids can start while you wait for results. The physician then recommends treatment based on what the tests show.
We are open 24 hours a day at 8200 N MacArthur Blvd, Suite 110, Irving, TX. Walk in any time, or call (972) 893-3148. For severe breathing trouble or a seizure, call 911 first.
FAQs
Should I go to the ER or urgent care for the flu?
Mild flu without warning signs can be seen by your doctor or urgent care during open hours. Any emergency warning sign, such as trouble breathing or chest pain, belongs in the ER. Our guide on ER vs. urgent care walks through the choice condition by condition.
Is a high fever with the flu an emergency?
A high fever alone is common with flu. For adults, MedlinePlus advises calling your provider right away for a fever that stays at or rises above 103°F. The same goes for a fever lasting longer than 48 to 72 hours. Fever with confusion, a stiff neck, or trouble breathing needs the ER.
Can the ER test for the flu?
Yes. ER of Irving runs flu and COVID tests in our on-site lab at any hour. Results come back during your visit, so the physician can treat what you actually have.
When should a child with the flu go to the ER?
In children, the CDC warning signs include fast or labored breathing, bluish lips or face, and ribs pulling in with each breath. No urine for 8 hours is another. Any fever in a baby younger than 12 weeks also needs care. Our pediatric emergency team sees children 24 hours a day.
Medically reviewed by the ER of Irving Medical Team | Updated: September 2026
