The flu, also called 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 loss of life. Whereas there is no such thing as a remedy for the flu, there are a variety of remedies 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 best method to shield your self from the flu. It’s endorsed 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 forestall the flu, resembling:
In case you do get the flu, there are a variety of remedies that may assist relieve signs and velocity up restoration. These remedies embody:
Learn how to Deal with the Flu
Relieve signs, velocity up restoration.
- Get loads of relaxation.
- Keep hydrated.
- Use over-the-counter drugs.
- Attempt 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 palms regularly.
By following the following tips, you may assist relieve signs, velocity up restoration, and stop the unfold of the flu.
Get loads of relaxation.
While 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 well extra rapidly. Purpose for 8-10 hours of sleep per evening, and attempt to take naps in the course of the day for those who can.
- Keep in mattress: While you’re sick, it is vital to remain in mattress as a lot as potential. This may allow you to relaxation and get well, and it’ll additionally assist forestall the unfold of the flu to others.
- Create a snug setting: Make certain 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 gadgets earlier than mattress, because the blue gentle emitted from these gadgets can intervene with sleep.
- Keep away from caffeine and alcohol: Caffeine and alcohol can each intervene with sleep. Keep away from these substances within the hours main as much as bedtime.
- Attempt leisure strategies: In case you’re having hassle falling asleep, attempt some leisure strategies, resembling deep respiration workouts, meditation, or yoga.
By following the following tips, you may get the remainder you must get well from the flu extra rapidly.
Keep hydrated.
While you’re sick with the flu, it is vital to remain hydrated. Fluids assist to loosen mucus, soothe sore throats, and stop dehydration. Purpose to drink 8-10 glasses of fluids per day, resembling water, juice, or soup.
- Water: Water is the only option for staying hydrated. It is calorie-free and helps to flush toxins out of your physique.
- Juice: Juice will also be a great supply of fluids, however it’s vital 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 really 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 once you’re sick with the flu.
By staying hydrated, you may assist your physique battle off the flu and get well extra rapidly.
Use over-the-counter drugs.
Over-the-counter drugs might help to alleviate signs of the flu, resembling fever, headache, sore throat, and cough. Nevertheless, it is vital to make use of these drugs solely as directed and to pay attention to their potential unwanted side 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 beneficial for youngsters beneath the age of 19 or for folks with sure medical situations, resembling abdomen ulcers or bleeding issues.
- Decongestants: Decongestants might help to alleviate nasal congestion. They’re obtainable in oral and nasal spray varieties.
- Cough suppressants: Cough suppressants might help to scale back coughing. They don’t seem to be beneficial for youngsters beneath the age of 6.
It is vital to speak to your physician or pharmacist earlier than taking any over-the-counter drugs, particularly when you have any underlying medical situations or are taking different drugs.
Attempt 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 usually secure and efficient, however it’s vital to speak to your physician earlier than attempting any of them, particularly when 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 sizzling 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 scale 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 scale back the severity of flu signs. Take vitamin C dietary supplements or eat meals wealthy in vitamin C, resembling oranges, grapefruit, and strawberries.
These are only a few of the pure treatments that may assist to alleviate signs of the flu. Speak to your physician earlier than attempting any of those treatments, particularly when you have any underlying medical situations.
See a health care provider if signs are extreme.
Typically, the flu is a gentle sickness that may be handled at residence with relaxation, fluids, and over-the-counter drugs. Nevertheless, some persons are at larger danger of growing critical problems from the flu, resembling pneumonia, bronchitis, and hospitalization. These folks 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 embody:
- 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
In case you have any of those signs, see a health care provider straight away. Early analysis and therapy might help to stop critical problems.
Even when you haven’t any of those extreme signs, you need to nonetheless see a health care provider for those who’re involved about your flu signs. Your physician might help you identify one of the best course of therapy and monitor your progress.
It is vital to keep in mind that the flu generally is a critical sickness, particularly for folks with sure underlying medical situations. In case you’re at excessive danger of growing problems from the flu, speak 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 might assist to stop critical problems from the flu, resembling pneumonia, bronchitis, and hospitalization.
- The flu shot is beneficial for everybody 6 months of age and older. It is particularly vital for people who find themselves at excessive danger of growing problems from the flu, resembling younger youngsters, pregnant ladies, folks with persistent well being situations, and folks over the age of 65.
- The flu shot is obtainable 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 created from inactivated flu viruses, which signifies that they can not trigger the flu. The flu shot could cause some delicate unwanted side effects, resembling soreness, redness, or swelling on the injection web site. These unwanted side effects normally go away inside a couple of days.
- Getting a flu shot yearly is one of the best ways to guard your self from the flu. The flu virus adjustments yearly, so it is vital to get a brand new flu shot every year.
In case you have any questions concerning the flu shot, speak to your physician. The flu shot is a secure and efficient method to shield your self from the flu and its critical problems.
Cowl your mouth and nostril when coughing or sneezing.
While you cough or sneeze, you launch tiny droplets of fluid that may comprise the flu virus. These droplets can journey by way of the air and be inhaled by different folks, who can then change into contaminated with the flu. Masking your mouth and nostril once you cough or sneeze might help to stop the unfold of the flu virus.
You possibly can cowl your mouth and nostril with a tissue, your sleeve, or your elbow. In case you use a tissue, throw it away instantly after use. In case you cough or sneeze into your sleeve or elbow, wash your palms completely with cleaning soap and water as quickly as potential.
It is also vital to keep away from touching your eyes, nostril, or mouth with unwashed palms. This might help to stop the flu virus from getting into your physique.
Masking your mouth and nostril once you cough or sneeze is an easy however efficient approach to assist forestall the unfold of the flu. By following this easy step, you may assist to guard your self and others from the flu.
Along with protecting your mouth and nostril once you cough or sneeze, there are a variety of different issues you are able to do to assist forestall the unfold of the flu, resembling:
- Wash your palms regularly with cleaning soap and water.
- Keep away from touching your eyes, nostril, or mouth with unwashed palms.
- Keep residence from work or faculty for those who’re sick.
- Get a flu shot yearly.
Wash your palms regularly.
Washing your palms regularly with cleaning soap and water is likely one of the greatest methods to stop the unfold of the flu virus. The flu virus can dwell on surfaces for as much as 48 hours, so it is vital to clean your palms regularly, particularly after touching surfaces that could be contaminated with the virus, resembling doorknobs, counter tops, and keyboards.
To scrub your palms correctly, observe these steps:
- Moist your palms with heat water.
- Apply cleaning soap and lather your palms for no less than 20 seconds. Make sure to scrub all surfaces of your palms, together with your palms, backs of your palms, between your fingers, and beneath your fingernails.
- Rinse your palms completely with heat water.
- Dry your palms with a clear towel.
You need to wash your palms regularly all through the day, particularly after coughing, sneezing, or utilizing the toilet. You also needs to wash your palms earlier than consuming or consuming, and after touching surfaces that could be contaminated with the flu virus.
Washing your palms regularly with cleaning soap and water is an easy however efficient approach to assist forestall 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 palms regularly, there are a variety of different issues you are able to do to assist forestall the unfold of the flu, resembling:
- Cowl your mouth and nostril once you cough or sneeze.
- Keep away from touching your eyes, nostril, or mouth with unwashed palms.
- Keep residence from work or faculty for those who’re sick.
- Get a flu shot yearly.
FAQ
Listed here are some regularly requested questions on the best way to deal with the flu:
Query 1: What are the signs of the flu?
Reply 1: Signs of the flu can embody fever, cough, sore throat, runny nostril, physique aches, headache, fatigue, and nausea.
Query 2: How can I forestall the flu?
Reply 2: One of the simplest ways to stop the flu is to get a flu shot yearly. You can too assist forestall the flu by washing your palms regularly, avoiding touching your eyes, nostril, or mouth with unwashed palms, and staying residence from work or faculty for those who’re sick.
Query 3: What ought to I do if I get the flu?
Reply 3: In case you get the flu, you need 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 when you have a persistent well being situation.
Query 4: How lengthy does the flu final?
Reply 4: The flu usually lasts for 7-10 days. Nevertheless, some folks might 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. Nevertheless, the flu vaccine could be very efficient at stopping the flu, and it might additionally assist to scale 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 that will assist to alleviate signs of the flu embody honey, garlic, echinacea, and vitamin C. Nevertheless, it is vital to speak to your physician earlier than attempting any pure treatments, particularly when you have a persistent well being situation.
Query 7: When ought to I see a health care provider concerning the flu?
Reply 7: You need to see a health care provider concerning the flu when you have extreme signs, resembling 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 when you have a persistent well being situation and also you get the flu.
Closing Paragraph for FAQ:
These are only a few of the regularly requested questions on the best way to deal with the flu. In case you have every other questions, please speak to your physician.
Along with the knowledge supplied within the FAQ, listed here are some extra ideas for treating the flu:
Ideas
Listed here are some extra ideas for treating the flu:
Tip 1: Get loads of relaxation.
While 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 well extra rapidly. Purpose for 8-10 hours of sleep per evening, and attempt to take naps in the course of the day for those who can.
Tip 2: Keep hydrated.
Fluids assist to loosen mucus, soothe sore throats, and stop dehydration. Purpose to drink 8-10 glasses of fluids per day, resembling 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 assuage sore throats and coughs. You need to use a cool-mist humidifier or a warm-mist humidifier. Simply remember to clear the humidifier frequently to stop the expansion of mould.
Tip 4: Gargle with salt water.
Gargling with salt water might help to assuage 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 tips, you may assist to alleviate signs of the flu and velocity up restoration. Nevertheless, it is vital to see a health care provider in case your signs are extreme or when you have a persistent well being situation.
In case you have the flu, it is vital to deal with your self and observe your physician’s directions. By following the information supplied on this article, you may assist to alleviate signs, velocity up restoration, and stop 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 might result in critical problems, particularly in folks with persistent well being situations. Fortuitously, there are a variety of issues you are able to do to deal with the flu and stop its unfold.
Crucial 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 when you have a persistent well being situation, you need to see a health care provider.
Along with treating the flu, you may also assist to stop its unfold by getting a flu shot yearly, washing your palms regularly, avoiding touching your eyes, nostril, or mouth with unwashed palms, and staying residence from work or faculty 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 standard sickness, however it may be critical. By following the information supplied on this article, you may assist to alleviate signs, velocity up restoration, and stop the unfold of the flu. In case you have any questions or considerations concerning the flu, please speak to your physician.
