Ways to Cope with the Flu

The flu is a viral illness that usually comes on very suddenly. It quite different from a common cold. Symptoms from the flu are much like those from the common cold, but the symptoms are much more severe. Here are some tips that will help you cope with the flu or a common cold.

If you feel that you are coming down with a cold or flu, nip it in the butt. You don't want to wait until your sicker than a dog until you start taking action. Once you feel your getting sick, go to bed. Getting plenty of rest is important to your recovery, the extra rest gives your body a chance to fight the illness.

Drink plenty of fluids. If you have a fever you will need to replace the fluids lost through the fever. Drink warm fluids to ease an itchy, scratchy, sore throat. Hot tea with lemon is a good throat soother. You can sip on warm soup, like chicken noodle, have a glass of fruit juice, drink Gatorade or drink water, these are all good choices in keeping you hydrated.

If you have a fever, headache or other body aches, take an over the counter pain reliever. You can take Tylenol, aspirin or ibuprofen. These medicines can help with the fever and reduce any pain you are feeling. Be sure to take the medicine as directed and never give aspirin to children.

You can help bring down a fever naturally if you prefer not to take medication. You can take cool showers or baths to help lower your body temperature. If the water is to warm it will keep your body temperature raised, so be sure it is cool. Don't over do it on the clothing, wear light clothes. Don't use heavy blankets, use a light sheet instead. You can do a sponge bath with cool water or place a wet towel on the neck.

Use a humidifier in your room to keep moisture in the air. When you are sick you can sometimes "dry" out, so the humidifier will help with that. To keep the inside of your nose moist, use a saline nasal spray and drink liquids for a dry throat. If you don't have a humidifier, steam up the bathroom.

If you have a sore nose, rub on an ointment. If you have a runny nose, chances are you will get a dry sore nose. Use petroleum jelly or chap-stick to help relieve the soreness and dry around the outside of your nose. Be sure that you are using a soft tissue, a rough tissue will only further irritate your nose.

You should eat a well balanced diet, even if your not feeling hungry. You need to keep up your strength so your body can fight off the flu or cold.

Be sure to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough. Keep plenty of tissue at your side, and a waste basket, so you don't have to keep getting out of bed.

You can take over the counter flu medications. These medicines are designed to help relieve the symptoms of the flu or common cold. There are so many medicines out there so talk with the pharmacists on what is best for your situation. You can also talk with your doctor on what over the counter medications to take. Be sure to follow the directions properly to prevent an overdose.

If you feel that you are coming down with the flu, call your doctor. Your doctor may recommend you take an antiviral medication to help shorten your flu. It is important to contact your doctor, if you have the flu, because certain people are more likely to have complications from the flu virus.

Be sure to get the flu vaccine when it becomes available. The flu shot will help you to not get the flu and if you do get the flu after getting the shot, your symptoms are not as severe and it does not last as long.

If your sick stay home. Going out will only bring exhaustion to your body and you will infect others.

You should start to feel better within a few days. It seems the symptoms get worse before they get better. If you fell that you are not getting better, contact your doctor. If you have a high fever that will not go away, go to the emergency room or contact your doctor. Be sure to get plenty of rest, plenty of fluids and stay home to keep others well.