All I Want for Christmas.... Is the Flu?

"Good morning, hun! Santa came and left your presents!" That was supposed to be the first words out of every Christmas-celebrating mother on the morning of December 25th to their little ones. Unfortunately, my first words were to my husband of "get me the trash can. I think I'm gonna...." Not so merry was it?

Getting through the holiday chaos can be a lot easier when the flu is not on your mind. However, preventing and treating the flu is rather easy if you are willing. Besides getting an annual flu shot, other prevention methods are necessary. Coughing into your elbow or arm is a greater chance of stopping the spread of germs instead of the old fashion way of coughing into your hand. A tissue is preferred and you should immediately wash your hands before touching anything else. Personally, I keep hand sanitizer in my purse and car just in case there is not a place to wash hands. Disinfecting objects that are touched regularly will also decrease the spread of germs. Objects would include telephones, remote controls, door handles, light switches, stirring wheels, etc. Using Lysol disinfecting wipes and spray or even a simple alcohol wipe can kill 99% of germs and bacteria. Stay away or at least at a distance from sick people and taking daily vitamins can keep your immune system strong and able to fight the flu bacteria better. One orange has more than enough vitamin C suggested per day. So wake up to a glass for OJ and better your chances of fighting common colds and even the flu quicker.

Even if all prevention measures are taken, it is still possible to slip up or just catch the flu out of bad luck. In this case, sanitizing and good hygiene is just as important. If you have never had the flu and don't know the symptoms, they are very much like the common cold. However, a fever is rare with a common cold and is present with influenza. A person with the onset of the flu may experience a fever, aches all over, fatigue, congestion including stuffy and runny rose as well as coughing, feelings of weakness, and headaches. Without a flu vaccine or flu mist, the only medications available are to make the symptoms decrease and to feel better overall, not to fight the flu. These suggestions are aimed at children over 6, teenagers, and adults. Children under the age of 6 should be seen by a doctor since many medications are not advised for this age group.

First, I would like to relay all the "natural" home remedies before jumping into certain medications. Orange juice is the best and largest source of vitamin C which your body needs to help fight viruses. Fevers tend to dehydrate the body, so increasing the intake in fluids is vital. Hot tea with honey (no milk) helps keep hydrated, helps with congestion when breathing in the steam, and the honey helps soothe a sore throat. Rest is extremely important when suffering from the flu. Your body uses this time to focus on fighting the virus, so wrap in a warm blanket so your body can use energy to healing you rather than using energy to heat the body.

If you are not so into the natural remedies, which I would suggest doing even if you decide on taking medications, the there are options for helping decrease symptoms. Tylenol can reduce fever and aches while something such as Nyquil can help sleep (recommended for nighttime) while helping with congestion. If nothing works after 3 days, I would suggest visiting a doctor again (assuming you have already) in case antibiotics are necessary.

Now that you can control most of your symptoms, the hard part of feeling happy and excited, bouncing from house-to-house, singing Christmas carols, and opening presents is about to begin. Here is my one, and only, suggestion to help survive the holidays AND the flu.... listen to your body! Lay on the couch and open presents if need-be, but your neighbors will understand if they don't see you singing "Jingle Bells" in 3-foot snow this year.