The bad news is there isn’t actually a cure for a cold or flu, but they tend to clear themselves up, most often, in three to 10 days. And while you can’t kill these viruses outright, there are many things you can do to manage the symptoms of these diseases, boost your healing time and prevent complications, like bronchitis or pneumonia.
Identify the Cause
Colds and flu bugs start out with similar symptoms but vary greatly in severity and treatment options. Colds are mostly respiratory, with symptoms like sore throat, coughing, sneezing and runny nose. While the flu can have similar symptoms, especially at the onset, a flu bug tends to come on more suddenly, with symptoms that are much worse than that of a cold. Flu bugs also tend to be accompanied by symptoms like fever and chills, headache, muscle aches and fatigue.
If you suspect that you’re coming down with more than the cold, you should act quickly and take an antiviral medication, like Tamiflu. When taken within the first two days of symptom onset, it can help you cut a few days off of your flu bug. Because Tamiflu and other antiviral medications are available by prescription only, it’s important that you call your doctor the first day you develop symptoms.
It’s The Flu. What Can I Do?
When those sniffles begin to give way to muscle aches, nausea and chills, it’s important to act quickly to help your body get what it needs to fight off the virus. These six tips will help you make a full, faster flu recovery this flu season.
Stay Hydrated
When you’re fighting a flu bug, especially one accompanied by nasty symptoms like nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, dehydration becomes a major concern -- especially in children. Drinking lots of clear fluids is essential to staying hydrated, which will help you avoid a trip to the ER. Plenty of fluids help thin out the mucus secretions in the lungs, making them easier to expel and helping your body flush toxins and infections from the body. And for maximum benefit, don’t just stay hydrated, choose your fluids carefully to boost their immune boosting properties. Clear broths like chicken broth have excellent antibacterial qualities, while drinking orange juice or vegetable juice can give your body a jolt of vitamin C. Antioxidants help give the immune system the energy it needs to fight off the invading virus. Teas are rich in antioxidant, anti-inflammatory plant chemicals, called polyphenols, which help the body combat infections, but they also have other bragging rights. Black and green teas are rich in a compound called L-theanine, which is shown to induce a state of calmness and may improve sleep quality, which is important for letting the body recover.
Get Rest
When you finally make the call to miss a day of work, you may be tempted to try to catch up on things around the house or take in a marathon of that new show you’ve been meaning to watch. Experts, however, agree that one of the best ways to help your body heal is to get plenty of sleep. This has been shown in studies of people who are getting their flu shot. On average, healthy people who slept eight hours or more the night before getting a flu vaccine produced twice as many antibodies against the shot as those who only got four hours of sleep on average.
Steam It Up
Steam is a great, natural decongestant. If you’re well enough to shower (don’t do this if you’re feeling dizzy or light-headed) you can take a hot, steamy shower to open your airways and moisten and thin your body’s mucus. You also can fill a bathroom or kitchen sink with steaming hot water and add a few teaspoons of chopped fresh ginger, eucalyptus oil or Vicks. Drape a towel over your head and lean over the sink to soak up the steam and get relief from your clogged nasal passages.
Chicken Soup Is Good for More Than the Soul
Chicken soup is a cold and flu remedy that has been used for centuries -- and with just cause. Dubbed “nature’s penicillin,” this popular soup is well known for its healing properties. When chicken is cooked, it releases an amino acid called cysteine, which is chemically similar to a common bronchitis drug, which can help the body fight off infections and prevent complications. The hot broth can help clear clogged airways and thins out the mucus while containing nutrients to give the body the energy it needs to battle invading germs.
To give your soup an extra kick, try adding some garlic or ginger. Garlic is well known for its antibiotic properties, and it may help work as an antiviral agent because of its sulphur-containing compounds. It’s also particularly effective in treating upper respiratory viral infections because of its ability to clear mucus from the lungs. Fresh ginger can help ease stubborn coughs, soothe upset stomachs and may even help reduce fever.
Boost Your Zinc Intake
When you feel the symptoms of a flu bug coming on, take supplements that give your body a boost of zinc, which has been shown to help shorten symptoms. Your body needs the mineral zinc to produce germ-fighting white blood cells, so you’re amping up your bio army in the fight against the invading virus. Be careful not to overdo it. Studies show that more than 50 mg a day of zinc can have a reverse effect, suppressing, rather than boosting, your immune system.
Know When You Need Help
If you have any of the following signs and symptoms, which may indicate that you have a serious case of the flu or are developing complications from it, call your doctor to get professional medical help:
● Fever above 101.5
● Shaking chills
● Persistent cough with phlegm, especially if the phlegm changes colors
● Bloody mucus or phlegm
● Shortness of breath with normal daily activities or when resting
● Chest pain when you breathe or talk
● Prolonged inability to keep down food or fluids