Give in to the urge to take a nap. You might find that you wake up feeling much better. Sleeping allows your body to direct more energy to your immune system, which will help you fight the infection faster.
Good drinks include water, juice, clear broth, or warm lemon water. The juice, broth, and lemon water will also help replenish your electrolytes. Don’t drink alcohol or coffee because they are dehydrating. The best way to avoid dehydration is to drink enough so that you do not become thirsty. If your urine is dark or cloudy, you need to drink more.
The nourishment will also help you keep your strength for combating the infection. The salt in the soup will top up your electrolytes.
Put extra blankets on your bed or use a hot water bottle. However, don’t overdo it with blankets. Over bundling, especially for babies, can actually increase your temperature and make you feel worse. [5] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source Keeping warm will reduce shivering and let your body direct more energy to your immune system.
Using it at night may help you sleep better because you may be less congested and may cough less. If you don’t have a commercial humidifier, you can make one by putting a pot of water on the radiator or handing a wet towel on a clothing dryer. The water will evaporate slowly into the air.
Using a dropper, squeeze a few drops into each nostril. This will help reduce mucus and dry it out. Saline drops are available without a prescription and can be made at home.
Dissolve up to a half teaspoon of salt in a glass of water and gargle. Spit the water out when you are done. Because salt water is safe, you can do it as often as you want.
Insert the dropper into the stuffy nostril and release a few drops or spray. You should get relief almost instantly. Do not give them to children.
Common medications contain acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen or aspirin. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and consult a doctor before giving medications to children. Many over-the-counter medications should not be given to young children. Children and teenagers should not take aspirin. It can cause a serious condition called Reye’s syndrome.
Drinking lots of water will also help to loosen phlegm.
When you cough, that is your body trying to expel the pathogens and irritants. By suppressing the cough, you are preventing that from happening. Talk to your doctor to find out whether cough syrups are right for you. Do not give cough syrups to children younger than four. For older children, follow the instructions on the bottle. If there are no instructions specific to your child’s age, consult a doctor. Some cough syrups have acetaminophen or other cold or fever/pain reducers in them. This means that it is important not to take them and other medications with acetaminophen at the same time. You could accidentally overdose.
Common antivirals are oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza). These drugs don’t actually shorten the duration of the infection by very long. Usually it’s only about a day or two shorter. The side effects may be more serious than the original flu. Oseltamivir may rarely cause delirium and self-harm in teenagers. Zanamivir cannot be taken by people with respiratory conditions. They may also cause vomiting. Some flu strains are becoming resistant. For people with certain medical conditions such as asthma, taking antiviral medications for the flu may be more beneficial.
A fever that is 103°F (39. 4°C) or greater A fever with sweating and chills Coughing up colored phlegm or phlegm with blood Swollen glands Bad sinus pain Trouble breathing Chest pain or a stiff neck Being unable to drink enough fluids or vomiting frequently Worsening of any chronic medical conditions such as asthma, cancer or diabetes Are elderly
A fever of 100. 4°F (38°C) or higher when three months old or younger A fever of 104°F (40°C) or higher Signs of dehydration such as being listless or very sleepy, urinating less than 3 times a day, not drinking enough fluids, or dry eyes and mouth A fever for over 24 hours for a child younger than two A fever for over three days in a child over two Vomiting more than once or twice Abdominal pain Extreme sleepiness Severe headaches A stiff neck Problems breathing Crying for a long time. Especially in children that are too young to say what’s wrong. Earaches A cough that doesn’t go away
It isn’t perfect, but it can really reduce how often you are sick. You can get the vaccine as an injection or as a nasal spray.
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also effective.
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Get enough vitamins by eating plenty of fruits and vegetables. Excellent sources of vitamins include apples, oranges, bananas, grapes, broccoli, peas, beans, spinach, cauliflower, squash, and asparagus. Get enough fiber with whole-grain breads and grains like bran, oatmeal, and whole-wheat. [20] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Supply your body with protein through lean meats, poultry, beans, fish and eggs. [21] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source Avoid fatty meats. Avoid pre-packaged processed foods. [22] X Trustworthy Source EatRight. org Organization associated with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics providing advice about food, health, and fitness Go to source They are more likely to be high in sugar, salt, and fat. They will give you calories, without also providing the nutrients you need.
Exercising. Try to exercise at least five times per week. This will cause your body to release endorphins and help you relax. Getting enough sleep. Most adults need about eight hours a night. Some people need as many as nine or 10 hours. Meditation Yoga Massage Having close relationships that provide social support. Talking will make you feel less alone.
Taking vitamin C when you first start getting symptoms may shorten the length of time that you are sick. Echinacea may help the immune system. It is available in multiple forms, including tablets, liquids, and teas. Discuss it with your doctor if you are taking prescription medications. Zinc may help if it is taken right when symptoms start. But do not use zinc nasal sprays. They can damage your sense of smell.
