Got the Flu in Korea? What Foreigners Should Do This Flu Season (2026–2027)

Flu season arrived early in Korea this year. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) issued its nationwide influenza advisory for the 2026–2027 season on September 11, 2026, much earlier than usual. At that point, clinics were seeing 25.3 flu-like cases per 1,000 outpatients, almost twice the advisory threshold of 12.9 and more than 3.8 times the level at the same time last year.

If you live in Korea, study here, or are visiting for treatment or travel, here is what to do if you start feeling sick: where to go, what the clinic will do, what you can expect to pay, and when to go to the emergency room.

Is It the Flu or a Cold?

A cold usually starts slowly with a runny nose and sore throat. The flu (influenza) tends to hit suddenly and harder. Common flu symptoms include:

• Sudden high fever, often 38°C (100.4°F) or higher
• Body aches and chills
• Strong tiredness that makes it hard to get out of bed
• Headache
• Dry cough and sore throat

Children may also have stomach symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea. If you have a sudden fever with body aches during flu season, it is worth getting checked, especially in the first two days.

Where to Go: A Local Clinic, Not the Big Hospital

For most adults with flu symptoms, the right place is a neighborhood clinic (의원, uiwon). Look for one of these:

• Internal medicine (내과, naegwa) or family medicine (가정의학과, gajeong-uihakgwa) for adults
• Pediatrics (소아청소년과, soa-cheongsonyeongwa) for children
• ENT (이비인후과, ibiinhugwa) is also a common choice for sore throat and cough

You usually do not need an appointment. Bring your passport or Alien Registration Card (ARC). Large university hospitals are meant for serious or referred cases, so going there first for a simple flu means a long wait and higher costs.

What Happens at the Clinic

A typical visit takes 10 to 30 minutes:

1. Check-in. You show your ID and fill in a short form. Your temperature is often taken at the front desk.
2. Consultation. The doctor asks about your symptoms and when they started.
3. Rapid flu test. If the doctor suspects flu, they may do a rapid antigen test with a nasal swab. Results usually come in about 10 to 15 minutes and show whether you have influenza A or B.
4. Prescription. If you test positive, the doctor may prescribe an antiviral medicine, along with medicine for fever, cough or pain.
5. Pharmacy. You take the prescription to a nearby pharmacy (약국, yakguk), usually right next to or below the clinic.

Antiviral medicines work best when started within about 48 hours of your first symptoms, which is why going early matters. Some clinics offer an antiviral IV drip as a one-time alternative to pills. Ask the doctor which option is right for you and how much each costs before you agree. You can read more about how prescriptions work in our Korean pharmacy guide for foreigners.

How Much Does It Cost?

Costs depend on whether you are enrolled in Korea’s National Health Insurance Service (NHIS):

• Consultation: With NHIS, a clinic visit is usually inexpensive. Without insurance, you pay the full fee, which is still lower than in many Western countries.
• Rapid flu test: This test is often not covered by insurance for healthy adults, so many people pay out of pocket. In the Seoul area, prices commonly fall around ₩20,000 to ₩30,000, but they vary by clinic.
• Antiviral medicine: Insurance coverage depends on your situation. It is more likely to be covered for higher-risk groups, such as young children, older adults, pregnant women and people with chronic illness. An IV antiviral treatment is usually much more expensive than pills.

Because prices vary, it is fine to ask the front desk, “How much is the flu test?” before you are tested. If you are not insured yet, see our guide on how foreigners can join Korea’s National Health Insurance. Visitors on short trips should check whether their travel insurance covers outpatient visits and keep all receipts.

Can You Still Get a Flu Shot?

Yes. A flu shot is still worth getting even after the season has started, because flu can continue into spring. Korea’s national flu vaccination program for the 2026–2027 season began on September 21, 2026. It offers free shots to:

• Children from 6 months to 14 years old (14-year-olds were added this season)
• Pregnant women
• Adults aged 65 and over

Foreign residents with a valid ARC can generally use the national program at participating clinics if they fall into these groups. Everyone else can get a paid flu shot at most clinics. For details on vaccines in Korea, read our vaccination guide for foreigners.

When to Go to the Emergency Room

Most people recover from the flu at home within a week. Go to an emergency room (응급실, eunggeupsil) or call 119 if you or your child has:

• Difficulty breathing or chest pain
• Confusion, seizures, or trouble staying awake
• Bluish lips or face
• Signs of dehydration, such as very little urine
• A fever that gets better and then comes back worse
• In babies: refusing to feed, or a fever in an infant under 3 months

For help in English, the Korea Travel Hotline at 1330 can provide interpretation, including at a clinic. For questions about infectious diseases, the KDCA call center is 1339.

Recovering at Home

• Rest and drink plenty of fluids.
• Take fever medicine as prescribed. Do not give aspirin to children or teenagers.
• Stay home until you have had no fever for at least 24 hours without fever medicine.
• Wear a mask around others, especially older family members and babies.
• Wash your hands often and cover coughs and sneezes.

If you need a sick note for work or school, ask the doctor for a medical certificate (진단서, jindanseo) or a visit confirmation (진료확인서, jinryo-hwaginseo). There is usually a small fee.

Useful Korean Phrases at the Clinic

English	Korean	Pronunciation
I have a fever.	열이 나요.	yeori nayo
I think I have the flu.	독감 같아요.	dokgam gatayo
My whole body aches.	몸살이 났어요.	momsari nasseoyo
Can I get a flu test?	독감 검사 받을 수 있어요?	dokgam geomsa badeul su isseoyo?
How much is it?	얼마예요?	eolmayeyo?
Is there a doctor who speaks English?	영어 하시는 선생님 계세요?	yeongeo hasineun seonsaengnim gyeseyo?

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an appointment to see a doctor for the flu in Korea?

Usually not. Most neighborhood clinics accept walk-in patients. Waits can be long during flu season, so going right when the clinic opens can help.

Can I buy flu medicine without a prescription?

You can buy over-the-counter medicine for fever, cough and cold symptoms at pharmacies. Antiviral flu medicines require a doctor’s prescription.

Can tourists see a doctor in Korea for the flu?

Yes. Tourists can visit any clinic with a passport and pay out of pocket. Keep your receipts and prescription records if you plan to claim from travel insurance.

I had the flu shot. Can I still get the flu?

Yes, but the vaccine lowers your chance of getting sick and helps reduce the risk of serious illness. If you get symptoms, see a doctor anyway.

How long should I stay home with the flu?

Stay home until you have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever medicine. Schools and workplaces in Korea may have their own rules, so check with them.

The Bottom Line

This flu season started early and spread fast. If you suddenly get a high fever and body aches, visit a local clinic within the first two days, ask about a rapid flu test, and follow the doctor’s advice on medicine. Go to the ER or call 119 for any warning signs, and if you are in a free vaccination group, it is not too late to get your shot.

This article is for general information only and does not replace advice from a doctor. If you are unsure about your symptoms, see a medical professional.