Simple Ways to Relieve the Misery of Having the Flu

To avoid catching a cold or the flu, just staying away from those who are infected may not be adequate protection. Even though it’s easy to confuse a cold with the flu, the two viruses have nothing in common –except their ability to inflict misery, say scientists. Colds come wrapped in sneezes, coughs, occasional fever, congestion and a general listlessness.

When cold sufferers wheeze, sneeze or cough, they spray fine droplets of virus-bearing mucus and saliva into the environment. Until those tiny droplets dry, which can take several hours or even days, they are capable of infecting others with the cold virus.

According to some experts, “It’s usually the people who are considerate enough to cough or sneeze into a tissue or handkerchief who spread the infection>” the mucus, say the experts, leaks through the paper onto their hands, taking the virus along with it. As a result, you can catch a cold virus from a telephone receiver, computer keyboard, coffee utensils or by shaking hands with your germy friend or co-worker.  Influenza is characterized by fatigue, chills, body aches, a sudden fever, runny nose, congestion, headache and coughing. Less common symptoms include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

One of the most discouraging aspects of the flu is how long it takes to recover. Even though the acute symptoms will probably go away in a week or so, the general weakness and fatigue can hang on for weeks.  For healthy, young adults, the flu is a casual misery that seems to accompany the dreariness of a cold weather. But, for the very young; those over age 65; or anyone with heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, asthma or any chronic respiratory condition, the flu could be life-threatening. If you fall into one of these categories, you should treat your bout of influenza with respect.

There are two distinct problems with the flu.  The first is that it is highly contagious. Somewhat like a cold, the flu is transmitted through respiratory droplets exhaled, coughed or sneezed into the air.  The second problem with the flu virus is that it has an incubation period of 24 to 72 hours; so you can spread it before you even start to feel sick. Even worse, many victims remain asymptomatic –meaning they can spread the virus, but never exhibit its symptoms.

If you get the flu, there are ways to relive your misery.

• Consider taking more vitamin C. Studies show that people taking vitamin C have fewer and milder symptoms and seem to recover from the flu faster. But check with your doctor before taking vitamin supplements.
• No one who has the flu has to be told twice to get plenty of bed rest, since fatigue is one of the symptoms. Also, drink plenty of liquids.
• Don’t take antibiotics because they kill bacteria, not flu viruses. Bathing in warm water and taking aspirin (if you’re an adult), acetaminophen or ibuprofen will help ease your fever and aches.
• Sore throats respond well to hot liquids laced with honey. Some doctors also recommend gargling with aspirin dissolved in a glass of warm water or an aspirin-like product) or salt water.
• Sore throats also respond well to chewing on cloves (no more than four a day for adults and three for children).
• Hot tea with a little honey has long been the home cure for a stuffy nose, and many say chicken soup works even better.
• There’s also some evidence that hot, spicy foods will clear up your sinuses, your nose and your lungs. A stuffy nose can also be relieved by inhaling steam.
• A good healthy diet won’t ward off the flu, but it will help your body fight the virus more effectively.
• High levels of mental stress have been linked to respiratory infections and can, therefore, increase your susceptibility to colds and flu. Try to avoid things that might upset or aggravate you.
• Try to get adequate amounts of rest and sleep.

Naturally, if you suspect you have the flu – and particularly if you are in a high-risk category – you should talk with your doctor right away.

See also: Simple Home Remedies for Sinusitis