Flu in Greece: symptoms, how long it lasts and when to see a doctor

Flu begins abruptly and can leave you genuinely unable to function for several days. Most healthy adults recover at home without treatment. Some people do not, and it is worth knowing which group you are in.

How flu presents

Flu establishes itself within a few hours. Most people remember exactly when it started. Its characteristic features are:

• Fever that rises abruptly, often between 38 and 40 degrees, with chills
• Muscle aches throughout the body, particularly in the back and legs
• Severe fatigue, not ordinary tiredness but difficulty getting out of bed
• Headache, often behind the eyes
• A dry cough, which usually appears a little later

Your nose and throat may also be uncomfortable. In some people these symptoms are pronounced, while in others they go almost unnoticed alongside the fever and the fatigue.

How long flu lasts

Fever and muscle aches usually last three to five days and then settle relatively quickly.

The cough and the fatigue follow a different course. They can continue for two or even three weeks after the fever has gone, and this is expected. It does not necessarily mean something is going wrong.

You are contagious from roughly one day before symptoms appear and for five to seven days afterwards. That is why flu spreads so quickly: it passes on before you realise you have it.

When flu circulates most

In Greece the flu virus circulates mainly from October to April. The first cases usually appear in late autumn, while the heaviest spread is recorded between December and February.

The intensity and the exact timing of the peak vary from year to year, depending on the strains in circulation. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control publishes weekly surveillance data across Europe, including Greece.

In practical terms, this means vaccination and care about transmission matter most from mid-autumn onwards, before the peak period begins.

When it is worth speaking to a doctor

Not every case of flu needs a medical assessment. It is worth speaking to a doctor when:

• The fever persists beyond four days without settling
• You felt better and then became worse again
• Your cough is accompanied by chest pain when you breathe
• You are in one of the higher-risk groups described below
• You have a long-term condition, such as asthma or diabetes, that is proving harder to manage
• You need documentation for work
• You are not sure and would like to talk it through

Most of these can be assessed well over a video call, because the assessment rests largely on what you describe: when the symptoms started, how they have changed, what medication you take and what else is going on. If you need to be seen the same day, you can book with a doctor who is available at that moment.

If the doctor decides you need a physical examination, your chest listened to, or laboratory tests, they will explain this and direct you accordingly.

When you need urgent help

Call 112 immediately, or 166 for an ambulance in Greece, or go to the emergency department of the nearest hospital, if any of the following appear:

• Difficulty breathing, or breathlessness at rest
• Chest pain or a feeling of pressure in the chest
• Confusion, disorientation or difficulty waking
• A blue or grey tint to the lips or face
• Being unable to keep fluids down, with signs of dehydration
• Seizures

These cannot be assessed remotely. They need immediate physical examination.

Who is at higher risk

In most cases flu resolves on its own. Complications, mainly pneumonia, affect particular groups:

• People over 60 to 65
• Women during pregnancy
• People with long-term respiratory conditions such as asthma or COPD
• People with cardiovascular disease, diabetes or kidney disease
• People with a weakened immune system
• Children under five, particularly under two
• People with severe obesity

If you are in one of these groups, it is better to speak to a doctor early rather than after your condition worsens. Antiviral medicines exist that are only effective when started very early in the course of the infection, and whether they are appropriate in your case is decided solely by the doctor.

What actually helps at home

There is no treatment that stops flu. There are things that make a noticeable difference to how you get through it:

• Rest. Not a reduced schedule, but genuine rest.
• Fluids. Fever causes dehydration faster than you expect.
• Fever medication, following the instructions on the packet or your pharmacist's advice.
• Humid air and warm drinks, which ease the throat and the cough.
• Staying at home while you have a fever, because you are contagious during those days.

If you already take medication for something else, ask before adding anything.

Antibiotics and flu

Antibiotics have no effect on flu. Flu is caused by a virus, while antibiotics act on bacteria.

This is not a technicality. Taking antibiotics unnecessarily contributes to antimicrobial resistance, an issue closely monitored by health authorities.

An antibiotic has a role only when a second, bacterial infection develops on top of flu, such as pneumonia or sinusitis. That is a judgement the doctor makes based on your overall picture. If one is needed, they can issue an electronic prescription through Greece's national ΣΗΣ system during the consultation, or a private prescription if you do not have an AMKA number. In some of these cases the doctor may decide that a physical examination or laboratory tests are needed first, and will direct you accordingly.

Flu in children

Flu often looks different in children. The fever can be higher, and stomach symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea are more common.

Seek help immediately if the child:

• Is breathing fast or with difficulty
• Is unusually drowsy or hard to wake
• Is not drinking fluids, or has not had a wet nappy for many hours
• Cries without tears
• Has a fever together with a rash
• Is under three months old and has any fever

For everything else, a conversation with a doctor helps separate what is expected from what needs watching. A parent or guardian books the appointment and stays with the child throughout the consultation.

The flu vaccine

Vaccination is the most effective preventive measure available against flu.

When it happens. Vaccination usually begins in Greece in October, so that protection has developed before the peak period. The body needs roughly two weeks to build immunity after the vaccine. If you miss October, vaccination still has value later in the season, while the virus is circulating.

Why it is needed every year. The circulating strains change, and the composition of the vaccine is adjusted annually. Protection from last year's vaccination is not sufficient for the new season.

Who it is particularly recommended for. People over 60, women during pregnancy, people with long-term conditions, healthcare workers, and those who care for or live with people at higher risk. Whether it is appropriate in your case is decided by your doctor.

What it does and does not do. It does not guarantee you will not catch flu. What it does is significantly reduce the likelihood of severe illness, complications and hospital admission, and it is most valuable for exactly those higher-risk groups. It does not cause flu.

Where to get it. At pharmacies and doctors' practices. Vaccination requires being physically present and cannot be carried out remotely. You can, however, discuss with a doctor whether it is recommended for you and when the right time is.

Frequently asked questions

How long does flu last? Fever and muscle aches usually last three to five days. The cough and fatigue can continue for two to three weeks.

Which months does flu circulate most? In Greece the virus circulates mainly from October to April, with the heaviest spread usually between December and February.

When should I have the vaccine? Vaccination usually begins in October. It is needed every year and still has value later in the season.

Do I need a test? In most healthy adults the assessment is made clinically. A test is more useful in higher-risk groups, or when antiviral treatment is being considered, and whether one is needed is decided by the doctor.

Can the doctor give me a sick note for work? The doctor can issue a sick note where they consider it clinically appropriate, based on the assessment. The consultation fee covers the medical assessment itself, whatever its conclusion.

Can the assessment be done by video call? In most cases yes, because it rests on what you describe. If a physical examination or laboratory tests are needed, the doctor will explain this.

If you have a fever and aches and are not sure whether you need to see a doctor, you can talk it through without leaving the house. See how telemedicine in Greece works, or download the DocNow app, choose an available doctor and book your appointment. Each consultation is scheduled for 15 minutes and costs a flat €20. The doctor will assess your case and explain the appropriate next steps, at their clinical discretion.

Appointment availability depends on doctor availability at the time of booking.

The information above is provided exclusively for educational purposes and does not replace medical advice. Please consult your treating doctor to determine the most appropriate treatment plan for your individual needs.