The easiest approach to get over the speedy flu recovery quickly is to get plenty of rest and drink plenty of water. There are, however, a few additional things that you can attempt in order to assist yourself in feeling better. Visiting your physician is something you should consider doing if you are at risk of developing problems from the flu.
Viruses that produce influenza are responsible for the respiratory illness known as the flu, which is highly contagious. The symptoms of the flu normally linger for approximately a week, however the most severe symptoms only last for two to three days (even though it may feel like an eternity). After you have recovered, it is possible that you will continue to suffer symptoms such as weariness, weakness, and a cough for another week.
Tips for a Speedy Flu Recovery
1. Stay home
Due to the fact that your body need time and energy in order to mount a defense against the influenza virus, you should put your regular routine on hold for the time being.
If you were to go grocery shopping or get ahead on the laundry for the week, you would be tempted to do so, but you would be doing yourself a disservice if you did so. Until you begin to feel better, you should consider staying home from work or school and putting off running errands.
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Staying at home not only helps you from the speedy flu recovery , but it also prevents you from passing the illness on to other people in your community or at your place of employment. Because the influenza virus can be harmful to elderly people and young children, it is essential that you avoid coming into touch with other people while you are contagious and that you clean your personal belongings and surfaces on a frequent basis.
2. Hydrate
Having a high fever, which might cause you to sweat, is one of the symptoms of the influenza virus. There is also a possibility that you are experiencing spells of vomiting or diarrhea. Your body need a substantial amount of fluids to replenish the fluids that it has lost, and even more fluids to combat the illness.
The ideal beverage to consume is water, but you can also try herbal teas or tea with honey. On top of keeping you hydrated, they can have a calming influence on the symptoms you are experiencing. However, alcohol and caffeine are two things that you should never consume under any circumstances.
3. Sleep as much as possible
While you are battling the flu, the most effective treatment for your body is more sleep. Even while it’s not a bad idea to watch television while cuddled up on the couch, you shouldn’t stay up all night watching your favorite Netflix show in a marathon viewing session.
Sleep in and get into bed sooner than you normally would. Alternately, you may take a nap during the day to provide your body with additional time to revive itself.
Rest and sleep also lower the likelihood that you will get significant complications from the flu, such as pneumonia.
4. Ease your breathing
A stuffy nose and a cough can make it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. If you want to have a better night’s sleep and breathing easier, try the following tips:
- Use an extra pillow
to prop up your head and ease sinus pressure. - Sleep with a
humidifier or vaporizer in the room. - Take a hot
bath or shower before bed.
5. Eat healthy foods
Because your body need better nourishment in order to recover from the illness, you might be tempted to drown your grief in a dish of ice cream and a bag of potato chips. However, this would be counterproductive.
In order to improve your immune system and help it fight off the virus, you should consume fresh fruits and vegetables because they include essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Despite the fact that you might not have much of an appetite, it is still essential to consume meals on a consistent basis in order to keep your strength.
6. Add moisture to the air
The presence of dry air may exacerbate your symptoms. The addition of moisture to the air through the use of a vaporizer or humidifier can assist in the release of congestion.
When it comes to humidifiers and vaporizers, the market offers a wide variety of options to choose from. Steam vaporizers and cool-mist humidifiers are two examples of possible humidifiers. In your neighborhood big-box store, at your neighborhood drugstore, or even online, you can easily find these at a price that is affordable.
7. Take OTC medications
In the section of your neighborhood pharmacy that is dedicated to cold and flu remedies, you will most likely find hundreds of different possibilities. There are drugs that are meant to treat specific symptoms, such as nasal congestion, while there are other treatments that cure multiple flu symptoms at the same time.
- Pain relievers Assist in bringing down a temperature, headache, and other body aches. For instance, acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) are examples of medications.
- Decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), are prescribed to patients in order to expand their nasal passages and alleviate pressure in their sinuses.
- Cough suppressants, such as dextromethorphan (Robitussin), can be used to soothe a dry cough.
- Expectorants helps loosen thick mucus and are useful for a cough that is wet and produces mucus.
- Antihistamines tend to have sedative effects that may help you sleep.
It is imperative that you read the label of the product in order to acquire knowledge on the appropriate dosage for each category of medication and to ensure that you are not accidentally mixing medications. In light of the fact that medications such as DayQuil are capable of reducing fever and relieving pain, it is not advisable for you to take any additional medication on top of that.
When it comes to treating the flu, children and adolescents should never take aspirin since there is a chance of developing a deadly condition known as Reye’s syndrome.
8. Try elderberry
Elderberry has been utilized for the treatment of colds and influenza for some time now, dating back hundreds of years.
People who had the flu and took elderberry lozenges four times a day noticed a reduction in fever, headache, muscle aches, nasal congestion, and cough after 48 hours, according to the findings of a study that was carried out under a placebo-controlled environment.
A other study conducted by a reliable source found that sixty individuals who were experiencing symptoms similar to those of the flu and who had fifteen milliliters of elderberry syrup four times a day noticed an improvement in their symptoms four days earlier than those who had taken a placebo.
A more comprehensive studyWhen compared to a placebo group, those who ended up getting sick after their trips had a reduction in the severity and duration of their cold and flu symptoms when they took 300 milligram capsules of elderberry extract three times a day. This was found during a study that involved 312 people who had traveled by airplane.
The capsules, lozenges, and syrups made from elderberries can be purchased in stores or on the internet. Elderberries that are uncooked should not be consumed because they have the potential to cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Bear in mind that elderberry is a supplementary therapy; therefore, you should also make sure that you are treating the flu with over-the-counter or prescription medication.
9. Have a spoonful of honey to soothe a cough
Honey is a natural cure that is reasonably popular and can be used to soothe a cough or a sore throat. In addition to alleviating the symptoms of the flu, honey and tea are a wonderful combination that can help you stay hydrated.
Honey was shown to be more efficient than typical cough suppressants in suppressing a nightly cough in children aged two to eighteen years old who were suffering from upper respiratory tract infections, according to the findings of a study that was conducted by researchers.
However, it is important to keep in mind that honey should not be given to children who are younger than one year old under any circumstances.
10. Ask your doctor about antiviral drugs
Because antiviral medications are only accessible with a prescription, you will need to consult a physician before taking them. Patients who are at a high risk of developing problems as a result of the flu are often the only ones who are allowed to possess these medications.
By inhibiting the virus’s growth and replication, these medications are effective. When you take them during the first 48 hours after experiencing symptoms, they are most effective.
You may want to ask a doctor for a prescription antiviral if you:
- are under age 5 (age 2, in particular)
- are 18 or under and taking aspirin- or salicylate-containing medications
- are at least 65
- are pregnant or have given birth in the last two weeks
- have a chronic medical condition or you’re taking other medications that weaken your immune system
- live in a nursing home or long-term care facility
- are Native American (American Indian or Alaska Native)
- are extremely obese, with a body mass index (BMI) of at least 40
Oseltamivir, also known as Tamiflu, is the antiviral drug that is administered the most frequently. Baloxavir marboxil, also known as Xofluza, is a novel antiviral medication that was just recently licensed by the Food and Drug Administration of the United States in October of 2018.
If antiviral treatment is taken within two days of the onset of symptoms, it has the potential to lower the intensity of symptoms as well as the duration of the flu by approximately one day.
11. Get a flu shot
The annual flu vaccination is developed by experts based on their forecasts of which strain of influenza will continue to be the most prevalent during the subsequent flu season. However, there are situations when they make a mistake. If you have already been infected with the flu, getting vaccinated against the influenza virus can protect you from other strains of the virus.
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Although you might believe that it is too late or that you cannot acquire the flu again in a single season, it is still possible for you to get it again. Therefore, getting vaccinated is a smart way to protect yourself from such diseases.
12. Stay positive
We frequently fail to recognize the extent to which our feelings and attitudes influence the way we feel physically. Even while you might not be able to clear your stuffy nose or bring down your fever with happy thoughts, keeping a cheerful attitude throughout your sickness might be beneficial to your overall recovery.
When it comes to recovering from the flu, the most effective thing you can do is give yourself permission to sleep, rest, and drink a lot of water. If you are at risk of significant complications and you discover your flu symptoms early, you may want to consider taking an antiviral medicine to assist shorten the length of time that you have symptoms.
Within one to two weeks, the majority of flu symptoms will go. If your symptoms of the flu begin to improve but then abruptly worsen, or if they continue to worsen beyond two weeks, you should make an appointment with your physician.