Is it unusual for flu to last 12 days? Is rest, plenty of fluids, ibuprofen, and eating as much as I can a good enough cure? I had 12 days of symptoms and rested and drank fluids, ate as I could , and took ibuprofen for the fever throughout that period but did not seek a doctor s help and became well enough to go back to work, Work has penalized me for not seeking a doctor s help. Was I in the wrong? Would have seeing a doctor during this illness have helped me? After 12 days of rest and fluids and ibuprofen I was well enough to go back to work, not completely well but well enough to work.