Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 4: Rebuilding the Body
• Method 2 of 4: Changing Your Diet
• Method 3 of 4: Medication
• Method 4 of 4: Preventing viral infections
• Tips
• Warnings

Everyone is familiar with the state of malaise when you wake up with a stuffy nose and a feeling of fever, which makes you feel hot and cold. You may also be coughing, sneezing, experiencing muscle pain and fatigue. These are the main symptoms of a viral infection. If you get sick, you need to do your best to get well as soon as possible. In some cases, unfortunately, medications are indispensable.After reading this article, you will learn how to cure a viral infection as soon as possible and prevent recurrence of symptoms in the future.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Rebuilding the Body

1. 1 Set aside enough time to rest. An organism infected with a viral infection, in addition to its usual work, has to fight the infection. Therefore, he is in great need of rest. Take sick leave for 1-2 days. Dedicate time to relaxing and relaxing activities that don't require any effort on your part, such as watching your favorite movies. Rest will allow your body to focus on fighting the virus. If you can't sleep, try the following activities:
   • Read your favorite book, watch a TV series, listen to music, or call someone.
   • Note that antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections. Therefore, you need to give your body as much rest as possible, thereby allowing it to fight the virus.
2. 2 Drink plenty of fluids. Viral infections usually lead to dehydration (dehydration occurs due to fluid loss due to fever or phlegm). If the body is dehydrated, the symptoms are more severe. This vicious circle can be broken by drinking plenty of fluids. Drink water, tea, natural juices, and drinks with electrolytes to keep your body hydrated.
   • Avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages as they can dehydrate your body.
3. 3 Do not contact people for several days. If you have a viral infection, you are contagious, which means you can pass the virus on to another person. In addition, when you interact with other people, your body is exposed to other pathogenic bacteria and microorganisms that can aggravate your condition.
   • Take at least two days off to avoid infecting other people at school or work.
   • If you must be at work or school, wear a mask to avoid infecting other people.
   • The mask prevents viral particles from spreading through the air, especially if you cough or sneeze.
4. 4 Use a humidifier. Using a humidifier, especially in the bedroom, can help relieve nasal congestion and coughing. This will help you sleep better. A good sleep is the key to recovery. Keep your humidifier clean. Clean the appliance from mold on a regular basis. Otherwise, your condition may get worse. Clean the humidifier regularly, following the recommendations written in the operating instructions.
5. 5 Buy hard candy or gargle with saline to relieve sore throat. If you have a sore throat, get sore throat lozenges from your pharmacy. The composition of such lozenges includes substances that have an analgesic effect.
   • Gargle with saline (dilute 1/4 -1/2 spoonful of salt in one glass of water). This is another way to relieve sore throat.
6. 6 Talk to your doctor if you have other health problems whose symptoms may be worsened by a viral infection. Usually viral infections are not dangerous, but they pose a threat to people with weakened immune systems, as well as to those with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. If you have cancer, diabetes, or any other immune system disorder, consult your doctor if you have a viral infection.

Method 2 of 4: Changing Your Diet

1. 1 Include foods high in vitamin C in your diet. Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful immune modulators. Therefore, during the period of illness, increase the intake of vitamin C. Vitamin C can be taken in tablets. You can also change your diet to increase your intake of this vitamin. Include the following foods in your daily diet:
   • Eat fruits rich in vitamin C.These fruits include grapefruit, kiwi, strawberries, lemon, lime, blueberries, oranges, papaya, pineapple, pomelo, and raspberries.
   • Include vegetables rich in vitamin C in your diet. These include Brussels sprouts, broccoli, onions, garlic, red and green peppers, tomatoes, and radishes. If you don't like eating vegetables raw, make a vegetable soup with them.
2. 2 Include in your diet chicken soup. Ever wonder why kids are given chicken noodle soup when they are sick? This is because chicken soup is a great helper in the fight against the virus. Chicken soup has anti-inflammatory properties. Plus, it helps to relieve nasal congestion.
   • Add onions, garlic, and other vegetables to the soup. Thanks to this, you will increase the amount of vitamins and minerals that the body desperately needs during illness.
3. 3 Increase your zinc intake. Zinc regulates the body's immune functions and helps it fight viruses. Most people take 25 mg of zinc daily. However, you can increase your zinc intake by including the following foods in your diet: spinach, mushrooms, beef, lamb, pork, chicken, and boiled oysters.
   • Zinc is most effective at the onset of a cold or flu, in the first two to three days. Increase your zinc intake if you feel you are starting to get sick.
   • You can also buy zinc lozenges. These lozenges can be purchased at the pharmacy.
   • Do not take zinc supplements if you are taking antibiotics (such as tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones), penicillamine (a drug used to treat Wilson's disease), or cisplatin (a drug used to treat cancer). Zinc reduces the effectiveness of the aforementioned drugs.
4. 4 Increase your consumption of echinacea. Echinacea is a plant that is often used to make tea. Echinacea is also available as a dietary supplement. Echinacea increases the number of white blood cells in the blood (white blood cells that are responsible for immune responses) and other substances that enable the body to fight the virus. Echinacea can be consumed as a tea, juice, or pill, which can be purchased over the counter.
   • In addition, you can include eucalyptus, elderberry, honey, reishi and shiitake mushrooms in your diet.

Method 3 of 4: Medication

1. 1 Take over-the-counter medications that can help reduce fever and pain caused by a viral infection. If you have a cold or flu, you are most likely experiencing a headache and fever. Paracetamol and ibuprofen help relieve pain. Paracetamol also helps to lower fever. You can buy the aforementioned drugs at any pharmacy.
   • Typically, a single dose of paracetamol for adults is 325-650 mg. Take a paracetamol tablet every three to four hours. Read the instructions carefully if you are going to give the aforementioned drug to a child.
   • The usual adult dose of ibuprofen is 400-600 mg. Take the pill every six hours until you see a decrease in symptoms.
2. 2 Use a nasal spray. There are different types of nasal sprays. Saline nasal sprays are safe and can be used by both children and adults. Saline nasal sprays can help reduce swelling and nasal discharge.
   • Nasal decongestant sprays such as Afrin are recommended only for severe nasal congestion and for a short period of time. Otherwise, addiction occurs and there is a negative effect on the nasal mucosa. In addition, such drops should not be used to treat children.
   • Corticosteroid nasal sprays such as fluticasone are usually used to treat symptoms in the chronic course of the disease. Therefore, you will see the first improvements in a few days. Nevertheless, these are quite effective remedies that help fight the symptoms of a viral infection.Check with your doctor before using these drugs. Also, note that corticosteroid nasal sprays should not be used on children under 4 years of age.
3. 3 Take cough syrup if you cough. When choosing a cough syrup, pay attention to its composition. In particular, pay attention to whether the syrup you choose contains decongestants, antihistamines and / or pain relievers. It is very important to do this to avoid overdose of one or another substance that is part of the syrup (for example, if the pain reliever is part of the cough syrup, you should not take an additional pain reliever).
   • OTC drugs are safe for adults. However, pay attention to the interaction of your chosen syrup with other drugs that you are taking.
   • Do not use cough syrup on children under two years of age.
   • With a wet cough, mucolytic agents are prescribed, and with a dry cough, drugs that suppress the cough reflex.
4. 4 Seek medical attention if you have a serious viral illness. In some cases, professional medical attention may be required. See your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
   • Rash
   • Elevated body temperature (above 39.4 ° C)
   • Worsening condition after short-term improvement
   • Duration of symptoms more than 10 days
   • Cough with yellow or green phlegm
   • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Method 4 of 4: Preventing viral infections

1. 1 Get vaccinated. Talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated against different viruses. While vaccines for some types of seasonal flu can indeed be effective, the situation with the common cold is more complicated. There is simply no vaccine for the common cold. There are vaccines for viruses such as human papillomavirus, chickenpox and shingles. Remember that the shot means you have to endure one or two shots, but that shouldn't stop you, because the discomfort from the shots is negligible and the benefits of the shot are enormous.
2. 2 Wash your hands as often as possible. When we touch different objects, pathogenic microbes can get on our hands. For this reason, hands should be washed as often as possible. Wash your hands with warm water and soap. Be sure to wash your hands in the following cases:
   • After traveling on public transport, after using the toilet, after coughing or sneezing, after touching your face or mouth, after talking to a sick person, or after handling raw meat.
   • Also, wash your hands before eating or before touching your mouth, nose, eyes, or face.
3. 3 Do not share personal hygiene items, especially those that come in contact with your face, such as your eyes, nose, or mouth. Avoid sharing things that might have viruses. This will be the best prevention of viral infections. Do not use:
   • Food or drink that someone has touched with their lips. Also, avoid sharing toiletries, pillows, towels, and lipstick.
4. 4 Keep the room clean if you or your loved one is sick. If someone in your family gets sick, it is best to isolate them in a separate room. If this is not possible, ask him to use a separate towel so that other family members can avoid infection. After your recovery, do a thorough cleaning to remove any remaining disease-causing germs. Pay special attention to the bathroom, bedding and kitchen utensils.

Tips

• Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough to avoid infecting people around you.

Warnings

• If you have a common viral infection, such as the flu or a cold, that does not go away after 10 days, talk to your doctor.You may have developed a secondary bacterial infection.