Treating the flu involves making a personalized care plan based on the infected individual. If left untreated, the flu can manifest into even worse illnesses, so it’s important to know your treatment options. Most people will get better with some bed rest, professional medicine, and home remedies while people who are older, individuals with immune disorders, and young children can face serious complications.
The best way to treat the flu, of course, is to start your treatment as soon as you believe you are infected…
10. Preventative Treatment
Preventative treatment is one of the best plans for predictable health problems. Preventative treatments include getting the flu vaccine, wearing a face mask if you are showing symptoms or recovering, and staying home if you are sick. Experts recommend staying indoors 24 hours after symptoms subside in order to prevent the spread. A big part of flu preventative care is about stopping the spread of seasonal flu.
In addition to preventative treatment, there are some classic at-home remedies for the flu…
9. Rest Up
If you are currently wrestling with the flu, nothing can help quite as much as getting rest.
Resting while you recover gives your body the resources it needs to defeat the flu. Our immune systems need a lot of energy to battle off infections like influenza. By resting while you’re infected, you are therefore giving your body all the energy it needs to defeat the flu.
Another thing your body needs during a flu infection is…
8. Stay Hydrated
When we are fighting off flu, we need to stay hydrated more than ever. Water, sports drinks, and broth are great choices for keeping your body hydrated while recovering from the flu. Between the immune system working extra hard, potential vomiting and diarrhea, and cold sweats, the flu drains our natural hydration. Replenishing these liquids gives our bodies what we need to stay ahead of the flu.
The body spends lots of effort fighting the flu, which can make us physically uncomfortable. Fortunately, over-the-counter (OTC) treatments can help…
7. Fever Suppressants
A fever is the body’s natural way of fighting an infection. Our bodies turn up the heat to rid any infectious agents that are bringing us down. While a fever is a natural part of the healing process, it can become dangerous and uncomfortable.
Fever suppressants don’t fight the flu, but they can make it more comfortable. Over-the-counter fever reducers like ibuprofen, Tylenol, and aspirin can be combined with classic remedies like a cold cloth to reduce a fever.
Another common symptom to treat is the sore throat and cough combo…
6. Sore Throat and Cough Relief
Flu and a sore throat go hand in hand. Sore throats are one of the most annoying parts of the flu. They make coughing, talking, and even drinking painful. Relieving sore throat pain helps make recovery easier. Over-the-counter medications, tea with honey, and warm broth are all great options for taking care of a sore throat.
When the flu gets bad, it can often cause aches all throughout the body that need relief…
5. Over-the-Counter Pain Medicine
Over-the-counter pain medication helps relieve the aches and pains that come with the flu. Ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin, and naproxen sodium are four common medicines for taking the edge off of flu-related pain.
Unlike the other treatments on our list, there is one surprising thing you can do to help with the flu…
4. Moderate Activity
While getting enough rest is key to defeating the flu, you still need to keep the body moving. Activities like walking around your home, regularly moving from bed to couch, and getting some fresh air can all help your body recover faster.
The human body loves fresh air and activity, even when we are sick. Getting in some very moderate activity can help you from feeling cooped up and sluggish. This helps your body from developing further sores and can promote a faster recovery.
A healthy diet can also help your body start to recover from an influenza infection…
3. Try a Flu-Friendly Diet
What we eat says a lot about our health. While recovering from the flu, we need to make sure that our diets are focused on getting adequate hydration as well as nutrition. This involves classic flu remedies like soup, broth, and light snacks like bread. Giving our bodies the nutrients they need to stay healthy can help us get through even the toughest flu seasons.
One thing you can do right away when you get the flu is…
2. Take a Hot Shower
There’s nothing like a hot shower after a stressful day. This is doubly true when we are recovering from the flu. A hot shower helps people recover from the flu in a variety of ways.
Hot showers have a few important benefits for people recovering from the flu. The first comes from the steam that rises into the air, which helps open up the airways and reduces congestion. The hot water can also help with soreness and stiffness. A hot bath or even sitting in the bathroom while a hot shower runs can also help.
When all else fails, your doctor can help you with more serious treatments…
1. Take Antiviral Medications
When the flu takes a turn for the worse, your doctor can prescribe antivirals. This isn’t necessarily needed for the majority of people who become infected with influenza, but for people with autoimmune conditions and other health concerns, these treatments can be vital.
Taking these steps to fight off the flu can give you a head start before the next flu season starts.
