The flu is a very common virus that affects most individuals that can easily spread among people. Some of the symptoms of this virus include fever, cough, runny nose, and can lead to severe respiratory issues, particularly if someone has underlying health conditions. For the individual who is ill with the flu, it can feel extremely comfortable, and in worse case scenarios, you will feel like staying in bed for a week.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for the flu, but there are certain things you can do to reduce the symptoms, make you feel better, and ensure a speedy recovery. In this article, we will advise you on what to do when you have the flu so that you can effectively look after yourself or a loved one and recover quickly.
Stay Home and Get Some Rest
As we mentioned above, there is no cure for the flu, and it is highly contagious. If you start experiencing symptoms, you must call in sick and take the time to stay at home and get plenty of rest. Not only this is necessary so that you allow your body the time to recover, but you will also make sure that you do not spread the virus to other people. Do not attempt to force yourself to work or go to school, as you will not do your body any good. Your body requires the appropriate levels of energy to focus on fighting off the infection, and this can only be done if you are solely focusing on recovering.
Drink Plenty of Fluids
When you have the flu, it is common for your lungs to start being filled up with thick mucus and phlegm. Drinking plenty of liquids, such as water, fruit juice, or even broth-based soups, helps your respiratory system by thinning the mucus and making it easier for you to spit it out. Make sure you do this throughout the day, even if sometimes you have to force yourself. Your urine should be light yellow or clear, as this will indicate that you are drinking the appropriate quantity of liquids.
Treat Fever, Aches, and Coughs
When your body is fighting off a virus, it is a natural reaction for you to develop a temperature as well as feel achy all over your body. Additionally, as your body tries to get rid of the phlegm in your system, you may also develop a cough. These feelings can make you feel very poorly and even stop you from doing your normal daily tasks. Although you cannot cure the flu, you can indeed make sure that you take some medicine to minimize these agonizing symptoms. You should consult with your doctor or pharmacist before taking medicine as some can have side effects or not be appropriate to you for particular reasons. If you are feeling very poorly, it is suggested you use online pharmacies to get more information about what medication to take and potential side effects. Taking medicine will help you feel better overall and make sure that you resume your normal life as quickly as possible.
Sit in a Steamy Room
Steam can help you clear out your airways, clears congestion, and makes breathing easier, and it can also kill off cold viruses that are sensitive to heat. Not everyone is lucky enough to have a sauna in their home, and if you are feeling ill, chances are you will not want to leave the house for anything. You can achieve this by running a hot bath and making sure that the bathroom is steamy, and stay inside for a few minutes, as this will help. Some people also use easier methods like filling up a bowl with hot water and inhaling this for a few minutes, sometimes with a few drops of essential oils such as peppermint or eucalyptus.
Visit Your Doctor
The flu is very common, and most people will experience mild symptoms. However, in some cases, people may start to experience more serious symptoms such as very high temperatures that will not lower not even with the appropriate medication, shortness of breath, continuous cough, and any other related symptoms that do not seem to stop or reduce. This can be an indication of other health issues developing. It is therefore imperative that you contact your doctor as soon as possible to get yourself assessed – you may need additional health support. This is particularly important if you have underlying health conditions, as your body may struggle to fight off the virus.
Having the flu is not a nice experience, and for some, it occurs frequently during the colder seasons. If you start experiencing this, you must take proper care of yourself. Read the tips discussed above, to ensure that you know what to do when you have the flu.