Influenza, or flu, is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract that mainly crops up in the colder months of the year. The flu can be dangerous for people who already have another condition that weakens their immune system, but most other people who get this virus are completely cured after a week. Learn how to treat the flu with natural remedies or medicines and how to avoid contracting it.
Steps
Step 1. Recognize the symptoms of the flu
Before you can treat the flu, you need to be sure that you really do have the flu. The symptoms of the flu are similar to those of the common cold, but they are more severe.
- With the flu, you usually suddenly feel very sick, and the symptoms become much more severe within a day. With the common cold, symptoms usually develop much more slowly and follow a predictable pattern of getting worse and worse.
- Flu often starts with a runny nose, cough, fatigue, and muscle aches.
- Unlike a cold, you also get a fever with the flu. This may be accompanied by chills, headache, nausea and vomiting.
-
In extreme cases, the flu can also cause severe dehydration and the fever can run so high that hospitalization is necessary. Call your doctor or go to the emergency room right away if your child shows the following symptoms:
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
- Severe, prolonged vomiting.
- Sudden dizziness.
- Blue glow over the skin.
- Flu-like symptoms that seem to get better, but then come back even more severe.
Method 1 of 3: Treating the flu with natural remedies
Step 1. Rest
If you have a cold you can sometimes still go to school or work, but if you have the flu it is important to rest well. Take a few days off so your body can recover.
- Because the flu is very contagious, it is not only necessary for your own recovery, but also better for your colleagues or classmates to stay at home.
- If you feel the need to move, take a leisurely walk or bike ride. Do not exercise too intensively if you have problems with your lungs.
Step 2. Regularly clear mucus from your nose
If your nose is blocked, it is important to clear the mucus from your nasal passages often to prevent sinus or ear infections. You can get rid of the mucus in the following ways:
- Blow your nose. That's simple but effective: blow your nose as soon as there is a lot of snot in it to clear your airways.
- Use a nasal can. Nasal cans are used to naturally clear the nasal cavity.
- Take a warm bath. Steam from the warm water loosens the mucus.
Step 3. Stay well hydrated
Having a fever can dehydrate you, so it's important to drink a lot more than you normally do.
- Drink warm liquids such as tea or warm water with lemon juice. This will soothe your throat, clear your nasal passages and keep you hydrated.
- Avoid drinks with caffeine, alcohol and soda. Take fluids that provide your body with nutrients and minerals.
- Drink warm soup. You may be nauseous and not hungry when you have the flu. A warm cup of soup will give you some nutrients without upsetting your stomach.
Step 4. Use a heat compress
Placing something warm on your body can help ease the pain associated with the flu. Use a heat burner or a pitcher and place it on your chest or back, or wherever you are in pain.
Step 5. Take echinacea and ginseng
These herbs are thought to shorten the flu. Take them in the form of capsules or as tea.
Step 6. Take oscillococcinum
This duck heart homeopathic remedy is a popular flu remedy for many people.
Method 2 of 3: Treating the flu with medication
Step 1. Buy over-the-counter remedies to combat the symptoms
Most flu-like symptoms can be treated with medicines from the drugstore.
- Pain from the flu can be treated with a pain reliever such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen or aspirin. Read the package for the correct dosage.
- Take antihistamines and nasal drops to clear blocked sinuses.
- Take cough suppressants or expectorants to treat coughs. If you have a dry tickly cough, you can take a cough suppressant, but if you have a lot of sticky mucus, an expectorant is better.
Step 2. Take medicines prescribed by your doctor
If you've been to the doctor, he may have prescribed you medication. The following medicines can reduce symptoms and shorten the flu if you take them within 48 hours of the first symptoms:
- Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) is taken orally.
- Zanamivir (Relenza) is inhaled.
Method 3 of 3: Preventing the flu
Step 1. Get vaccinated before flu season starts
You can get a flu shot from your doctor. It's not a guarantee that you won't get the flu at all, but it protects against many different strains of the virus.
Step 2. Wash your hands
Washing your hands regularly, especially if you've been in public places, can help protect yourself from the flu. Always carry antibacterial gel or wipes with you so that you can still clean your hands when there is no water or soap nearby.
Step 3. Make sure you have a good resistance
Eating healthy, making sure you get all the necessary vitamins and nutrients and getting enough exercise help protect you against the flu. And if the flu does strike, your body will be able to deal with it better.