Flu is a viral infection that affects the respiratory system (nose, sinuses, throat and lungs). Although the disease heals in a couple of weeks in most people, it can sometimes be very dangerous, especially in children, the elderly, and individuals with weak immune systems or those with chronic medical conditions. Getting the flu shot every year is the best way to prevent the condition, but if you are sick you can learn how to manage your symptoms by reading this tutorial.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Recognizing the Influence
Step 1. Recognize the symptoms
Before starting any treatment, you need to know for sure what kind of discomfort you have. Flu symptoms are similar to those of the common cold, but are more severe, set on faster, and usually last 2-3 weeks. The ones listed below are the most common:
- Cough, often intense;
- Sore throat;
- Fever over 38 ° C;
- Headache and / or muscle aches;
- Stuffy nose or runny nose
- Chills and sweating;
- Feeling tired or tired
- Shortness of breath
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea, vomiting and / or diarrhea (very common in young children).
Step 2. Distinguish the flu from the cold
Although the symptoms of the two diseases are quite similar, the cold develops more slowly and follows a certain predictable pattern in both onset and resolution. Symptoms of the normal cold generally last less than a week or two and include:
- Moderate cough
- No or mild fever;
- Slight general malaise or headache;
- Congestion;
- Stuffy nose or runny nose
- Itching or discomfort in the throat
- Sneezing
- Tearing
- Little or no sense of exhaustion.
Step 3. Recognize the difference between classic flu and gastroenteritis
The latter is commonly called the intestinal flu and is not a real flu, but a viral infection in the gastrointestinal tract. While the flu affects the respiratory system, gastroenteritis affects the gut and is usually a less severe ailment. Its most typical symptoms are:
- Liquid stools
- Cramps and abdominal pain
- Swelling;
- Nausea and / or vomiting;
- Slight or sporadic headache and / or general malaise;
- Slight fever
- Symptoms usually only last a day or two, although they can sometimes last for up to 10 days.
Step 4. Know when to contact emergency services
In extreme cases, the flu can cause dehydration or severe symptoms that require hospitalization. Seek immediate medical attention if you or your child experience the following symptoms:
- Shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing
- Chest pain or pressure
- Severe and persistent vomiting;
- Dizziness or a feeling of confusion
- Bluish skin or purplish lips
- Convulsions;
- Signs of dehydration (e.g. dry mucous membranes, lethargy, sunken eyes, decreased urination or very dark urine);
- Severe headache or neck pain and / or stiffness;
- Flu-like symptoms that get better, but then get worse again.
Method 2 of 4: Natural Remedies
Step 1. Rest
If you have a cold it is sometimes possible to go to work or school, but if you have the flu it is important to rest. Stay home for a few days to allow your body to heal.
- Since it is a contagious disease, staying at home is a gesture of courtesy, as well as necessary for your recovery.
- With the flu, you may also have nasal congestion. Lift your head with another pillow or sleep in a recliner to make breathing easier at night.
Step 2. Stay hydrated
Fever causes dehydration, so it is essential to take in more fluids than usual to fight the disease.
- Drink warm drinks, such as tea or hot water with lemon, which help soothe the pain in the throat and clear the nasal passages while ensuring good hydration.
- Avoid caffeinated drinks, alcohol and sodas. Choose those liquids that provide and do not deprive the body of essential nutrients and minerals.
- Drink hot soup. During the flu, it is quite normal to feel nauseous and lose your appetite. For this reason, a hot soup or broth is an excellent source of nutrients that does not cause stomach problems. Studies have found chicken broth to really relieve inflammation in the respiratory tract, so if you're feeling strong enough, you can drink a serving or two to benefit from it.
- If you've been throwing up, you'll definitely have an electrolyte imbalance. Drink a rehydrating solution that you find at the pharmacy or sports drinks that contain electrolytes, to restore the correct balance in the body.
Step 3. Take Vitamin C Supplements
It is a key element in strengthening the immune system; Research has found that large doses help relieve cold and flu symptoms.
- Take 1000 mg every hour for 6 hours as soon as you start to experience symptoms. Then take 1000 mg 3 times a day. Do not continue taking it in excessive doses when you start to feel better because it has been shown to be toxic, although in rare cases.
- Orange juice is an excellent natural source of vitamin C, but it cannot guarantee you a "megadose".
- Talk to your pediatrician before giving massive doses of vitamin C to your child.
Step 4. Frequently clear your nose of mucus
If you also have a cold, it is important to clear the nasal passages often to make breathing easier and prevent sinusitis or an ear infection. To get rid of mucus, follow these guidelines:
- Blow your nose. It's simple but effective: blow it as often as it's blocked to clear the nasal passages.
- Use a neti pot. This is a natural method of clearing the cavities of the nose.
- Take a warm bath. The steam helps loosen the mucus in the nose.
- Turn on a humidifier or vaporizer in the room to make breathing easier.
- Use a saline nasal spray. You can also make a spray or drop solution yourself.
Step 5. Use a warmer
Applying heat helps relieve the discomfort and pain of the flu. You can take an electric warmer (or fill your hot water bottle) to place on your chest or back, wherever you feel pain. Just make sure it's not too hot so as not to burn the skin and not keep it on the body for too long. Never sleep with an electric warmer or hot water bottle on your body.
Step 6. Relieve fever symptoms by applying a cold washcloth
Put a cold, wet towel on any area of your body where you feel a fever; you can also apply it on the forehead or around the eyes to soothe the discomfort due to nasal congestion.
- Alternatively, you can buy a reusable gel pack at any large supermarket.
- To reduce the temperature of a child who has a fever above 38.8 ° C or who is very sick from a fever, apply a wet, cold towel to the forehead.
Step 7. Gargle with salt water
This simple solution relieves a sore throat from the flu. To make the mixture, add one teaspoon of salt to 240ml of hot water.
Gargle for about a minute, spit out the liquid at the end, you don't have to swallow it
Step 8. Try a natural remedy
There are only a few scientific studies proving the effectiveness of herbal flu treatments. However, you can find some relief from the discomfort of the disease. Consult your doctor before following these remedies, especially if you are already taking medications, have chronic medical conditions, or if the sick person is a child.
- Take 300 mg of echinacea 3 times a day. This plant can reduce the duration of symptoms. However, pregnant and breastfeeding women, patients on immunosuppressive drug therapy and people allergic to ragweed should not take it.
- Take 200 mg of American ginseng per day. This type of ginseng (which is not the same as Siberian or Asian ginseng) is able to relieve the symptoms of the flu.
- Take 4 tablespoons a day of elderberry extract, which shortens the duration of the disease. You can also make an infusion by steeping 3-5 dried elderberry flowers in 240ml of boiling water for 10-15 minutes. Filter the drink and drink it 3 times a day.
Step 9. Undergo eucalyptus fumigations
This treatment soothes the discomfort caused by coughing or congestion. Pour 5-10 drops of eucalyptus oil into 480ml of boiling water. boil it for a minute, then remove the pot from the heat.
- Place the container on a solid surface, such as a table or kitchen counter.
- Cover your head with a clean towel and put your head over the pot. Keep your face at least 30 cm from the water to avoid burning yourself.
- Inhale the steam for 10-15 minutes.
- As an alternative to eucalyptus you can also use mint or spearmint oil; its active ingredient, menthol, is an excellent decongestant.
- Never ingest any essential oil as it is toxic.
Step 10. Take the oscillococcinum
It is a homeopathic alternative to traditional flu medicines, which comes from the internal organs of the duck and is a very popular cure in Europe.
The research has not yielded definitive results regarding the effectiveness of this remedy; some people have experienced negative side effects, such as headaches
Method 3 of 4: Medications
Step 1. Take over-the-counter medications to manage symptoms
The most common symptoms can easily be kept under control with over-the-counter drugs. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to recommend the most suitable ones for your specific case, especially if you suffer from any pathology, such as hypertension, liver or kidney problems, if you are taking other medications or if you are pregnant.
- Flu pains can be relieved with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or aspirin. Be sure to read the leaflet carefully to know the exact dosage. Aspirin should not be given to children under 18.
- Take antihistamines and decongestants if you have a stuffy nose.
- Take expectorants and cough suppressants if you have this disorder. If the cough is dry, the best solution is to take a dextromethorphan-based antitussive. If, on the other hand, the cough produces mucus, the most suitable choice is an expectorant containing guaifenesin, able to thin the phlegm present in the respiratory tract.
- Be careful not to abuse paracetamol. Many drugs have the same active ingredient, so it is important to read the label to know the exact contents. Follow the instructions on the leaflet and do not exceed the recommended dosage.
Step 2. Make sure you are giving the children the correct dose
Paracetamol or ibuprofen in pediatric preparation is indicated for them. Follow the directions on the package for the right dosage. You can switch between medications if you find that your fever does not improve with either one, but keep a record of how much you give it.
- If you wish, you can consult the general lines of the MedlinePlus website (in Spanish or English). If you want to get more details about ibuprofen dosage for children visit this page, while you read this other one regarding paracetamol.
- Do not give ibuprofen to children who have vomited or are dehydrated.
- Never give aspirin to children and young people under 18, because there is a risk that they will develop Reye's syndrome.
Step 3. Take prescription medications
If you decide to see your doctor for treatment, he or she will likely prescribe one of the following medications, based on the strains of flu that are around at the time. These medicines can reduce symptoms and speed resolution of the disorder if taken within 48 hours:
- Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) is taken by mouth. This drug is the only one approved by the FDA in the US for use in infants under one year of age.
- The zanamivir (Relenza) is inhaled. It is suitable for people aged 7 and over. People with asthma and other lung conditions should not use it.
- Peramivir is given intravenously and is indicated for people over 18 years of age.
- Amantadine (Symmetrel) and rimantadine (Flumadine) have been used to treat influenza A, but many strains of influenza (including H1N1) are still resistant to these drugs which have recently been no longer prescribed.
Step 4. Keep in mind that antibiotics do not cure the flu
This is a viral disease and your doctor can prescribe antivirals such as Tamiflu if you need medication. you don't have to take antibiotics.
- Sometimes a bacterial infection can develop in conjunction with the flu; only in this case the doctor will prescribe antibiotics, which you will have to take as indicated.
- Taking this class of drugs in the absence of a bacterial pathology aggravates the problem of bacteria resistance to drug treatments and it will be increasingly difficult to defeat infections. Never take antibiotics unless prescribed.
Method 4 of 4: Preventing the Flu
Step 1. Get vaccinated before flu season begins
In the United States, the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC for short) are monitoring global health trends and statistics to develop a vaccine against the most dangerous strains of influenza viruses this year. Vaccines are given in the doctor's office, in clinics, and sometimes even in pharmacies. They do not guarantee immunity from flu during the season, but protect the body from different strains, thus reducing the chances of getting sick by about 60%. The vaccine can be injected or taken with a nasal spray.
- In Europe, most cases of influenza occur between October and May, with a peak in January or February.
- Immediately after the vaccine, you may experience moderate symptoms, such as general malaise, headache, or a mild fever. In any case, know that the vaccine does not cause the flu.
Step 2. Talk to your doctor before deciding to get vaccinated if you have any medical conditions
Generally, all those over 6 months of age can be vaccinated without any contraindications. If you have any of the following conditions, you should see your doctor before getting the vaccine:
- A severe allergy to chicken eggs or jelly
- A previous history of severe reactions to the flu shot;
- A moderate or severe illness with fever (you will be able to get vaccinated when the fever is gone);
- A past history of Guillain-Barré syndrome;
- A chronic disease, such as lung, heart, kidney or liver problems (for nasal spray vaccine only);
- Asthma (for nasal spray vaccine only).
Step 3. Choose between injection or nasal spray
The vaccine is available in these two formulations and you can almost always choose the one you prefer, although you should consider your age and general health before deciding which one to use.
- The injection is safe for babies from 6 months onwards, as well as for pregnant women and those suffering from chronic health problems.
- People under the age of 65 should not undergo injections with a high dosage. Anyone under the age of 18 or over 64 should not be given the intradermal vaccine, which is injected into the skin rather than the muscle. Infants under 6 months should not be vaccinated against the flu.
- The vaccine in the form of a nasal spray is indicated for those aged 2 to 49.
- Children under 2 years of age and adults over 50 should not be given this vaccine. Children and young people aged 2 to 17 who have been on aspirin-based treatment for a long time cannot receive this vaccine, as are children aged 2 to 4 who suffer from asthma.
- This formulation is also not suitable for pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems. People who take care of immunosuppressed patients should not get the nasal spray vaccine or in any case they must avoid approaching these people for at least the next 7 days.
- Do not vaccinate yourself with the spray if you have taken anti-viral flu drugs in the past 48 hours.
Step 4. Don't underestimate the influence
It is very contagious and can cause serious medical complications. Thanks to the vaccine, mortality rates have been steadily declining for decades; in 1940 400 people per 1,000,000 died, in 1990 an average of 56 deaths per 1,000,000 cases of influenza was reached. However, it is important that you get medical attention if you notice flu symptoms and try your best to avoid infecting other people.
In 2009, the H1N1 influenza pandemic caused more than 2,000 deaths worldwide. The CDC believe another similar pandemic is possible, especially if people are not properly vaccinated
Step 5. Practice good hygiene
Wash your hands often, especially when you come home from a public place, to avoid getting the infection. Always carry antibacterial wet wipes with you and use them when you are in places where there is no access to water and soap.
- Use an alcohol-based disinfectant gel or antibacterial soap.
- Avoid touching your face, especially your nose, mouth, and eyes.
- Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough. Use a handkerchief if you have one available. If not, try coughing or sneezing into the crook of your elbow to avoid spreading germs.
Step 6. Try to always keep yourself healthy
Follow a good diet, take the right amount of vitamins and supplements every day and keep fit with physical activity to defend yourself from the flu; if it hits you, your body will be ready to defeat it.
