Having the flu can be a miserable experience, especially in the first few days. Influenza symptoms can vary, but commonly include sore throat, cough, runny nose, fever, body aches, and fatigue. These symptoms usually show up one to four days after exposure to the virus and typically last 3 to 7 days, with most people recovering within a couple of weeks. Even after most resolve, some symptoms like cough and fatigue may linger.
It’s important to remember there’s only so much you can do to speed up recovery from any viral illness, including the flu. But there are a few things you can do to feel better while you’re recovering, and that may help you to bounce back from the flu and get back to better health.
Stay Home If You Have the Flu
In the first few days of the flu, you may feel so yucky that it’s easy to make yourself stay home and rest, but as you begin feeling better, you might start getting antsy about restarting your daily routine. It’s important to remember that your body needs energy and time to fight off the flu virus, so stay home and put your routine on hold until you recover.
Staying home is also important as a courtesy to others. Influenza is a highly contagious virus, so your co-workers or fellow shoppers would probably appreciate you not bringing the flu virus to work or to the market to spread to others.
Hydrate
Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids is another important part of recovering from the flu. Fever, sweating, nausea, or even breathing through nasal congestion can dehydrate you.
Replacing those fluids helps your body stay in balance and provides essential support for recovery and may help to soothe symptoms like congestion and sore throat.
To stay hydrated, drink plenty of water, herbal teas, broth, or electrolyte drinks, and avoid alcohol or caffeinated beverages, as they can cause dehydration.
Get Plenty of Sleep
Though it may sound simple, sleep is the best medicine for fighting off the flu. Try to go to bed early, take naps, and sleep in, if possible, to give your immune system more time to repair and restore your body to full strength.
Even as your symptoms begin to resolve, your body is still in recovery mode and needs plenty of rest. Take your time getting back into your daily routine.
Eat Nutritious Foods
A diet full of nutrient-rich foods is a key part of speeding up your recovery. Vegetables, lean proteins, and fresh fruits provide important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support your immune system as it fights off the flu.
Even if you don’t have much of an appetite, or it’s hard to eat because of a sore throat, it’s important to eat regular meals to maintain your strength. Foods high in vitamin D and C, antioxidants, and zinc can be especially beneficial for boosting your immune system.
Medications and Managing Symptoms
Antivirals – These drugs are available only by prescription. When taken in the first 48 hours of flu symptom onset, antivirals like Tamiflu or Xofluza can help reduce the severity and duration of the illness.
OTC Medicines – While they don’t shorten the duration of infection, there are over-the-counter remedies that may help you feel a little better while fighting the flu. Pain relievers like Tylenol or Ibuprofen can be used to help lower fevers and reduce muscle pain. Cough suppressants like Robitussin may help soothe a dry cough. Decongestants such as pseudoephedrine or Sudafed help relieve pressure in your sinuses and open nasal passages for easier breathing. Be sure to read product labels carefully to understand the correct dosage for each type of medication and to make sure you’re not accidentally doubling up on anything.
Other Remedies – To ease breathing and soothe achy muscles, try taking a hot shower or bath. Doing this before bedtime can also help you to sleep. For a dry cough, try adding moisture to the air with a humidifier or vaporizer.
Get a Flu Shot
If you already have the flu, it won’t help you, but getting a flu shot before getting the flu is the best way to get over the flu faster. Flu vaccines help prevent some types of influenza and may help reduce the severity of other types.
If you do have the flu, once you recover, it’s a good time to talk to your doctor about getting a flu shot to protect yourself from other strains of the flu that you haven’t been exposed to yet.
According to the CDC, on average, most people will recover from the flu in a few days to less than two weeks. However, some people can develop complications like sinus infections, pneumonia, or other potentially serious complications.
People at higher risk for complications from flu include those over 65 or younger than 5, pregnant women, or people of any age with certain chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma, or heart disease.
If you’re concerned about your flu symptoms or are at a higher risk of complications, contact your family doctor for advice.
The sore throat, cough, runny nose, fever, body aches, and fatigue that come with the flu are no fun for anyone, but with time, rest, good food, and plenty of fluids, you can feel better faster.
If you’re concerned about influenza, want to get vaccinated, or have questions regarding flu symptoms or medications, contact the caring professionals at River Bend Medical Associates for an appointment today. At River Bend Medical Associates, we care about your health, and as part of your medical team, we are here to provide you with the best care in all aspects of your healthcare needs. For more information on our medical practice, or to make an appointment, contact River Bend Medical Associates or call 916-392-4000.
