The flu, also referred to as influenza, is a extremely contagious respiratory sickness attributable to influenza viruses. It could vary from delicate to extreme, and in some circumstances, can result in hospitalization and even demise. Whereas there isn’t a remedy for the flu, there are a variety of therapies that may assist relieve signs and velocity up restoration.
Prevention is one of the best ways to keep away from getting the flu. The flu vaccine is the simplest method to defend your self from the flu. It is strongly recommended that everybody 6 months of age and older get a flu vaccine yearly. Along with getting a flu vaccine, there are a variety of different issues you are able to do to assist stop the flu, similar to:
Should you do get the flu, there are a variety of therapies that may assist relieve signs and velocity up restoration. These therapies embrace:
Deal with the Flu
Relieve signs, velocity up restoration.
- Get loads of relaxation.
- Keep hydrated.
- Use over-the-counter drugs.
- Strive pure treatments.
- See a health care provider if signs are extreme.
- Get a flu shot yearly.
- Cowl your mouth and nostril when coughing or sneezing.
- Wash your arms continuously.
By following the following pointers, you may assist relieve signs, velocity up restoration, and forestall the unfold of the flu.
Get loads of relaxation.
Whenever you’re sick with the flu, your physique wants time to heal. Getting loads of relaxation helps your immune system battle off the virus and get better extra shortly. Purpose for 8-10 hours of sleep per evening, and attempt to take naps through the day for those who can.
- Keep in mattress: Whenever you’re sick, it is necessary to remain in mattress as a lot as potential. This may enable you relaxation and get better, and it’ll additionally assist stop the unfold of the flu to others.
- Create a snug atmosphere: Be sure your bed room is darkish, quiet, and funky. Use a humidifier so as to add moisture to the air, which might help soothe sore throats and coughs. Keep away from watching TV or utilizing digital units earlier than mattress, because the blue gentle emitted from these units can intrude with sleep.
- Keep away from caffeine and alcohol: Caffeine and alcohol can each intrude with sleep. Keep away from these substances within the hours main as much as bedtime.
- Strive rest methods: Should you’re having hassle falling asleep, strive some rest methods, similar to deep respiration workouts, meditation, or yoga.
By following the following pointers, you will get the remainder you’ll want to get better from the flu extra shortly.
Keep hydrated.
Whenever you’re sick with the flu, it is necessary to remain hydrated. Fluids assist to loosen mucus, soothe sore throats, and forestall dehydration. Purpose to drink 8-10 glasses of fluids per day, similar to water, juice, or soup.
- Water: Water is your best option for staying hydrated. It is calorie-free and helps to flush toxins out of your physique.
- Juice: Juice may also be an excellent supply of fluids, however it’s necessary to decide on 100% fruit juice with out added sugar. Keep away from fruit drinks and soda, as these are excessive in sugar and might truly dehydrate you.
- Soup: Soup is an effective way to remain hydrated and get some further vitamins. Select soups which can be low in sodium and excessive in greens.
- Keep away from alcohol and caffeine: Alcohol and caffeine can each dehydrate you. Keep away from these substances if you’re sick with the flu.
By staying hydrated, you may assist your physique battle off the flu and get better extra shortly.
Use over-the-counter drugs.
Over-the-counter drugs might help to alleviate signs of the flu, similar to fever, headache, sore throat, and cough. Nonetheless, it is necessary to make use of these drugs solely as directed and to concentrate on their potential negative effects.
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol): Acetaminophen is a ache reliever and fever reducer. It’s secure for many adults and youngsters over the age of two.
- Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin): Ibuprofen can also be a ache reliever and fever reducer. It’s secure for many adults and youngsters over the age of 6.
- Aspirin: Aspirin is a ache reliever, fever reducer, and anti inflammatory. It’s not really useful for kids below the age of 19 or for individuals with sure medical situations, similar to abdomen ulcers or bleeding problems.
- Decongestants: Decongestants might help to alleviate nasal congestion. They’re obtainable in oral and nasal spray varieties.
- Cough suppressants: Cough suppressants might help to cut back coughing. They aren’t really useful for kids below the age of 6.
It is necessary to speak to your physician or pharmacist earlier than taking any over-the-counter drugs, particularly in case you have any underlying medical situations or are taking different drugs.
Strive pure treatments.
Along with over-the-counter drugs, there are a variety of pure treatments that may assist to alleviate signs of the flu. These treatments are typically secure and efficient, however it’s necessary to speak to your physician earlier than making an attempt any of them, particularly in case you have any underlying medical situations.
- Honey: Honey has antibacterial and antiviral properties that may assist to battle off the flu virus. Take a spoonful of honey a number of instances a day, or add it to tea or scorching water.
- Garlic: Garlic is one other pure antiviral and antibacterial agent. Crush a garlic clove and blend it with honey or olive oil. Take this combination a number of instances a day.
- Echinacea: Echinacea is an herb that has been proven to spice up the immune system and cut back the severity of flu signs. Take echinacea dietary supplements on the first signal of flu signs.
- Vitamin C: Vitamin C is an antioxidant that may assist to spice up the immune system and cut back the severity of flu signs. Take vitamin C dietary supplements or eat meals wealthy in vitamin C, similar to oranges, grapefruit, and strawberries.
These are only a few of the pure treatments that may assist to alleviate signs of the flu. Discuss to your physician earlier than making an attempt any of those treatments, particularly in case you have any underlying medical situations.
See a health care provider if signs are extreme.
Usually, the flu is a gentle sickness that may be handled at house with relaxation, fluids, and over-the-counter drugs. Nonetheless, some individuals are at greater threat of growing critical issues from the flu, similar to pneumonia, bronchitis, and hospitalization. These individuals ought to see a health care provider as quickly as potential in the event that they develop flu signs.
Signs that warrant a go to to the physician embrace:
- Shortness of breath or problem respiration
- Chest ache or tightness
- Confusion or delirium
- Extreme vomiting or diarrhea
- Flu signs that enhance after which return
- A excessive fever that lasts greater than 3 days
When you’ve got any of those signs, see a health care provider immediately. Early analysis and remedy might help to forestall critical issues.
Even when you haven’t any of those extreme signs, it is best to nonetheless see a health care provider for those who’re involved about your flu signs. Your physician might help you establish one of the best course of remedy and monitor your progress.
It is necessary to do not forget that the flu could be a critical sickness, particularly for individuals with sure underlying medical situations. Should you’re at excessive threat of growing issues from the flu, discuss to your physician about getting a flu shot and taking different steps to guard your self from the flu.
Get a flu shot yearly.
The flu shot is one of the best ways to guard your self from the flu. It is secure and efficient, and it could actually assist to forestall critical issues from the flu, similar to pneumonia, bronchitis, and hospitalization.
- The flu shot is really useful for everybody 6 months of age and older. It is particularly necessary for people who find themselves at excessive threat of growing issues from the flu, similar to younger youngsters, pregnant girls, individuals with continual well being situations, and folks over the age of 65.
- The flu shot is out there at most physician’s workplaces, pharmacies, and well being clinics. It is usually given within the fall, earlier than the flu season begins.
- The flu shot is secure and efficient. It is made out of inactivated flu viruses, which implies that they can’t trigger the flu. The flu shot may cause some delicate negative effects, similar to soreness, redness, or swelling on the injection website. These negative effects often go away inside a number of days.
- Getting a flu shot yearly is one of the best ways to guard your self from the flu. The flu virus modifications yearly, so it is necessary to get a brand new flu shot every year.
When you’ve got any questions concerning the flu shot, discuss to your physician. The flu shot is a secure and efficient method to defend your self from the flu and its critical issues.
Cowl your mouth and nostril when coughing or sneezing.
Whenever you cough or sneeze, you launch tiny droplets of fluid that may comprise the flu virus. These droplets can journey by the air and be inhaled by different individuals, who can then turn out to be contaminated with the flu. Masking your mouth and nostril if you cough or sneeze might help to forestall the unfold of the flu virus.
You may cowl your mouth and nostril with a tissue, your sleeve, or your elbow. Should you use a tissue, throw it away instantly after use. Should you cough or sneeze into your sleeve or elbow, wash your arms totally with cleaning soap and water as quickly as potential.
It is also necessary to keep away from touching your eyes, nostril, or mouth with unwashed arms. This might help to forestall the flu virus from getting into your physique.
Masking your mouth and nostril if you cough or sneeze is an easy however efficient manner to assist stop the unfold of the flu. By following this easy step, you may assist to guard your self and others from the flu.
Along with overlaying your mouth and nostril if you cough or sneeze, there are a variety of different issues you are able to do to assist stop the unfold of the flu, similar to:
- Wash your arms continuously with cleaning soap and water.
- Keep away from touching your eyes, nostril, or mouth with unwashed arms.
- Keep house from work or college for those who’re sick.
- Get a flu shot yearly.
Wash your arms continuously.
Washing your arms continuously with cleaning soap and water is without doubt one of the greatest methods to forestall the unfold of the flu virus. The flu virus can reside on surfaces for as much as 48 hours, so it is necessary to clean your arms continuously, particularly after touching surfaces that could be contaminated with the virus, similar to doorknobs, counter tops, and keyboards.
To clean your arms correctly, comply with these steps:
- Moist your arms with heat water.
- Apply cleaning soap and lather your arms for at the very least 20 seconds. Remember to scrub all surfaces of your arms, together with your palms, backs of your arms, between your fingers, and below your fingernails.
- Rinse your arms totally with heat water.
- Dry your arms with a clear towel.
It’s best to wash your arms continuously all through the day, particularly after coughing, sneezing, or utilizing the toilet. You also needs to wash your arms earlier than consuming or consuming, and after touching surfaces that could be contaminated with the flu virus.
Washing your arms continuously with cleaning soap and water is an easy however efficient manner to assist stop the unfold of the flu. By following this easy step, you may assist to guard your self and others from the flu.
Along with washing your arms continuously, there are a variety of different issues you are able to do to assist stop the unfold of the flu, similar to:
- Cowl your mouth and nostril if you cough or sneeze.
- Keep away from touching your eyes, nostril, or mouth with unwashed arms.
- Keep house from work or college for those who’re sick.
- Get a flu shot yearly.
FAQ
Listed below are some continuously requested questions on easy methods to deal with the flu:
Query 1: What are the signs of the flu?
Reply 1: Signs of the flu can embrace fever, cough, sore throat, runny nostril, physique aches, headache, fatigue, and nausea.
Query 2: How can I stop the flu?
Reply 2: One of the best ways to forestall the flu is to get a flu shot yearly. You can even assist stop the flu by washing your arms continuously, avoiding touching your eyes, nostril, or mouth with unwashed arms, and staying house from work or college for those who’re sick.
Query 3: What ought to I do if I get the flu?
Reply 3: Should you get the flu, it is best to relaxation, drink loads of fluids, and take over-the-counter drugs to alleviate your signs. You also needs to see a health care provider in case your signs are extreme or in case you have a continual well being situation.
Query 4: How lengthy does the flu final?
Reply 4: The flu usually lasts for 7-10 days. Nonetheless, some individuals could expertise signs for longer.
Query 5: Can I unfold the flu to others if I am vaccinated?
Reply 5: Sure, you may nonetheless unfold the flu to others for those who’re vaccinated. Nonetheless, the flu vaccine may be very efficient at stopping the flu, and it could actually additionally assist to cut back the severity of the flu for those who do get sick.
Query 6: What are some pure treatments for the flu?
Reply 6: Some pure treatments which will assist to alleviate signs of the flu embrace honey, garlic, echinacea, and vitamin C. Nonetheless, it is necessary to speak to your physician earlier than making an attempt any pure treatments, particularly in case you have a continual well being situation.
Query 7: When ought to I see a health care provider concerning the flu?
Reply 7: It’s best to see a health care provider concerning the flu in case you have extreme signs, similar to shortness of breath, chest ache or tightness, confusion or delirium, extreme vomiting or diarrhea, or a flu that improves after which returns. You also needs to see a health care provider in case you have a continual well being situation and also you get the flu.
Closing Paragraph for FAQ:
These are only a few of the continuously requested questions on easy methods to deal with the flu. When you’ve got every other questions, please discuss to your physician.
Along with the data offered within the FAQ, listed below are some extra ideas for treating the flu:
Ideas
Listed below are some extra ideas for treating the flu:
Tip 1: Get loads of relaxation.
Whenever you’re sick with the flu, your physique wants time to heal. Getting loads of relaxation helps your immune system battle off the virus and get better extra shortly. Purpose for 8-10 hours of sleep per evening, and attempt to take naps through the day for those who can.
Tip 2: Keep hydrated.
Fluids assist to loosen mucus, soothe sore throats, and forestall dehydration. Purpose to drink 8-10 glasses of fluids per day, similar to water, juice, or soup.
Tip 3: Use a humidifier.
A humidifier might help so as to add moisture to the air, which might help to appease sore throats and coughs. You should use a cool-mist humidifier or a warm-mist humidifier. Simply be sure you clear the humidifier often to forestall the expansion of mould.
Tip 4: Gargle with salt water.
Gargling with salt water might help to appease sore throats. To make salt water, combine 1/2 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of heat water. Gargle for 30 seconds at a time, a number of instances a day.
Closing Paragraph for Ideas:
By following the following pointers, you may assist to alleviate signs of the flu and velocity up restoration. Nonetheless, it is necessary to see a health care provider in case your signs are extreme or in case you have a continual well being situation.
When you’ve got the flu, it is necessary to handle your self and comply with your physician’s directions. By following the ideas offered on this article, you may assist to alleviate signs, velocity up restoration, and forestall the unfold of the flu.
Conclusion
The flu is a contagious respiratory sickness that may trigger quite a lot of signs, together with fever, cough, sore throat, runny nostril, physique aches, headache, fatigue, and nausea. Whereas the flu is usually not a critical sickness, it could actually result in critical issues, particularly in individuals with continual well being situations. Thankfully, there are a variety of issues you are able to do to deal with the flu and forestall its unfold.
A very powerful factor you are able to do to deal with the flu is to get loads of relaxation and fluids. You also needs to take over-the-counter drugs to alleviate your signs. In case your signs are extreme or in case you have a continual well being situation, it is best to see a health care provider.
Along with treating the flu, you may also assist to forestall its unfold by getting a flu shot yearly, washing your arms continuously, avoiding touching your eyes, nostril, or mouth with unwashed arms, and staying house from work or college for those who’re sick.
By following these easy ideas, you may assist to guard your self and others from the flu.
Closing Message:
The flu is a typical sickness, however it may be critical. By following the ideas offered on this article, you may assist to alleviate signs, velocity up restoration, and forestall the unfold of the flu. When you’ve got any questions or considerations concerning the flu, please discuss to your physician.
