You’ve just been hit with a nasty bout of the flu. You’re feeling exhausted and weak, you have a headache that won’t go away, and your throat is sore from coughing. Is this really what it feels like to get sick?
It doesn’t feel good but, fortunately, there are ways to make getting over the flu quick and easy. A lot of people think they’re suffering from the flu when in fact they may be coming down with something else entirely.
If you suspect you’ve caught the flu, here’s some advice on how to get better fast:
Start by cleaning up your home or office
The first thing you should do if you’re feeling unwell is to clean up your surroundings. If you live alone, don’t leave dirty dishes or trash in your sink for anyone else to pick up – you could infect them too. The same goes for any dirty laundry sitting around or for dust bunnies under couches and sofas. It’s also important to clean out your refrigerator and pantry as well as your medicine cabinet and bathroom.
Also, disinfect all surfaces that come into contact with food, including kitchen counters, table tops, door knobs, handles, and countertops. These surfaces can easily become contaminated by bacteria and viruses. To disinfect them, use a solution of 1 part bleach (5.25 percent) to 9 parts water. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes before wiping it off. Make sure to wash your hands after handling these surfaces.
In addition to cleaning up your home, you should stay away from others who are sick and try not to visit work if you aren’t feeling well.
Take care of yourself
Once you begin to feel better, it’s time to take action to help you recover faster. Here are some tips to consider:
- Eat healthy foods. Consume plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and drink lots of fluids (water, broth, and tea). This will boost your immune system.
- Get plenty of rest. Sleep when you’re tired. Don’t force yourself to nap during the day.
- Don’t smoke!
- Exercise. Exercise helps increase circulation, which is needed to fight infection.
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine. They dehydrate you and can actually worsen symptoms of colds and flus. Caffeine can cause dehydration by stimulating your body to secrete more fluid, leading to headaches, dry mouth, and fatigue.
- Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
- Try herbal remedies. Herbal teas such as peppermint, chamomile, echinacea, elderberry, and ginseng can strengthen your immune system and ease congestion. However, avoid taking any medications without consulting your doctor first.
- Use hot compresses. Hot packs, especially those made from Epsom salt, can relieve pain and help bring down fevers. Place hot water bottles on your chest, stomach, back, and feet to help soothe aches and pains.
Try an antiviral drug
Antiviral drugs can be helpful in treating flu-like illnesses. There are several types of antivirals available, including Tamiflu and Relenza. Both medicines work by slowing virus multiplication in cells and reducing symptoms.
These drugs can help prevent the spread of disease and shorten the duration of illness. They can’t cure the flu, though, and you still need to pay attention to other health issues. Consult your physician if you decide to take one of these drugs.
To find out more about the flu and how to treat it, read our article on the symptoms of the flu.
All these above points are must for everyone to do as if they want to avoid any kind of disease and flu. Here we will discuss about some common symptoms of influenza which everyone should know and that are fever, aching in muscles, dry cough, headache, feeling tired every time, not breathing properly. So these all are the common symptoms of this flu.