Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Treating Flu Symptoms Naturally
• Method 2 of 3: Treating influenza with drugs
• Method 3 of 3: Preventing Influenza Infection
• Tips
• Warnings

Influenza is a viral disease that occurs frequently during the cold season. The flu can be extremely dangerous for people with suppressed immune systems, but most recover within a week of infection. Learn to treat flu symptoms with folk remedies and medicines and prevent the disease itself.

Steps

1. 1 Recognize the symptoms of the flu. Before starting treatment for the flu, make sure you are sick with it. Flu symptoms are very similar to common cold symptoms, but in a more severe form.
   • Influenza gets sick rather quickly, and symptoms begin to appear during the day. Cold symptoms, on the other hand, run much more slowly, following a predictable pattern of growth and decline in the severity of the disease.
   • Influenza most often begins with a runny nose, cough, general fatigue, and muscle pain.
   • Unlike the common cold, flu usually produces a fever. It may be accompanied by chills, headaches, nausea, and vomiting.
   • In severe cases, the flu can cause severe dehydration and fever so high that hospitalization may be necessary. Call your doctor right away if you or your child have any of the following symptoms:
     • Shortness of breath and trouble breathing.
     • Severe persistent vomiting
     • Sudden dizziness.
     • Bluish complexion.
     • Cold symptoms that go away at first and then come back more severe.

Method 1 of 3: Treating Flu Symptoms Naturally

1. 1 Get some rest. Sometimes with a common cold, you can keep working and going to school, but when you have the flu, you must rest. Take a few days off to give your body a couple of days to recover.
   • Since the flu is contagious, staying at home not only gives you rest, but also prevents you from spreading the virus.
   • If you want to do some exercise, go for a short walk or bike. Don't do strenuous workouts if you have difficulty breathing.
2. 2 Clear mucus from your nose often. It is very important to clear mucus to prevent sinus or ear infections. Clean out mucus in the following ways:
   • Blow out your nose. Simple but effective: often blow out your nose to clear your airways.
   • Do rinses. Nasal lavage is a natural method of clearing the airways.
   • Take a hot bath. The steam helps clear mucus from the airways.
3. 3 Drink plenty of fluids. High body temperatures cause dehydration, so it is very important to drink plenty of fluids to fight infection.
   • Drink hot tea or warm lemon water. They will soothe and clear your throat.
   • Don't drink caffeinated drinks, alcohol, or sugary water. Choose drinks that will provide your body with nutrients and minerals, not destroy them.
   • Eat hot soup. During the flu, you may experience nausea and lack of appetite. Hot soup or broth will be good for you without upsetting your stomach.
4. 4 Take a heating pad. The heat can help relieve muscle soreness that occurs with the flu.Take an electric heating pad or pour it into a hot water bottle and place it where you feel pain, on your chest or back.
5. 5 Use echinacea and ginseng. These herbs are known to help treat the flu. Swallow them in capsule form or make tea with them.
6. 6 Take Oscillococcinum. This is a duck giblet flu remedy that is very popular in Europe.

Method 2 of 3: Treating influenza with drugs

1. 1 Buy prescription drugs to treat flu symptoms. The most common flu symptoms are effectively treated with medications that you can buy at your local pharmacy.
   • Headaches and muscle pains can be treated with anti-inflammatory nonsteroidal drugs such as ibuprofen or aspirin. Read the instructions for the recommended dosage of the medication.
   • Take antihistamines and decongestants to relieve blockages in your airways.
   • Drink expectorant medicines to treat coughs. If you have a dry cough, medicines containing dextromethorphan are your best bet. However, if you have a wet cough with mucus, take medications containing guaifenesin.
2. 2 Take prescription medications. If you decide to see your doctor for treatment, they may prescribe the following medications, which can reduce flu symptoms and shorten the duration of illness if taken within 48 hours of exposure:
   • Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) is taken by mouth.
   • Zanavimir (Relenza) for inhalation.

Method 3 of 3: Preventing Influenza Infection

1. 1 Get a flu shot. You can get flu shots in hospitals, clinics and even pharmacies. They do not guarantee complete protection against influenza infection, but they do help with many strains of the virus.
2. 2 Maintain your hygiene. Wash your hands often, especially after arriving from a public place, is the best way to avoid getting the flu. Carry wet antibacterial wipes with you if you don't have a soapy sink nearby.
3. 3 Monitor your overall health. Eat well, get your recommended daily intake of vitamins and nutrients, and stay fit with exercise to keep yourself from the flu. If you do catch the flu virus, your body will be ready to fight the disease.

Tips

• Sleep with a pillow under your head to relieve nasal congestion.

Warnings

• See your doctor if your temperature is over 39 ° C, chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting. You should also see your doctor if your flu symptoms persist within 10 days or if they get worse in the meantime.