You have the flu and you want it to go away—now. At least you want the symptoms to end even if the bugs want to stay for a while. Unfortunately the symptoms are, for the most part, your body's tools for healing so we can't get rid of them altogether—just make them a little more tolerable.
For instance, you may be tempted to take an antihistamine to dry up your sinuses, but what you really want is for the mucous to flow out easily rather than drying it up. The body heats itself up to speed the healing so you might want to take an aspirin to end the fever, but, unless the fever is dangerously high, you'll heal faster with the fever. In short, the symptoms that we all hate are part of the healing. So how can we be less miserable while still healing?
Here's some tips to moderate the symptoms while allowing the body to heal:
- Blow your nose the right way rather than sniffing: Gently blow one nostril at a time whenever you need to sniff. You want the mucous to come out--not in. Aggressive blowing can push some infection up into your ear and cause more problems.
- Rest often and stay warm: Your body needs energy to fight the flu so give it a break; cuddle up under a comfy blanket.
- Gargle often: use salt water or tea. Make a gargle from two cups of raspberry tea or lemon juice mixed with one teaspoon of honey. Don't give honey to young children.
- Drink hot liquids: The heat will relieve sinus congestion, rehydrate you and sooth the tissues in the throat.
- Enjoy a steamy shower: This will moisturize your nasal passages, clear some congestion and make your sweaty skin feel much better. If you're so feverish that you're dizzy, sit in chair while showering and take a sponge bath.
- Put some salve under your nose and around the nostrils: A mentholated or eucalyptus salve will help keep the passages open while keeping the skin around the nostrils from chafing.
- Apply hot or cold compresses on your sinuses: You can buy reusable packs from the pharmacy, or make your own by microwaving a damp washcloth. A bag of frozen peas makes a good cold compress.
- Add pillows or slant the bed: You may be more comfortable sleeping with your head a little higher than your feet so the mucous doesn't collect in the sinuses.
Avoiding the flu
- Build up your immune system before flu season. Then even if you get the flu, it will be milder and the symptoms will be easier to manage.
- There are many people who should get a flu vaccination; a good example are caregivers for the elderly or immune-compromised people like HIV patients.
What if it isn't the flu?
What appears at first to be the flu could actually be a more serious disease so check with your health care professional if your current illness isn't following the same pattern as previous flus.
Please note: The information in this article is not to be followed as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult with your physician or primary health practitioner for information regarding your own personal health and necessary treatments.
