Fever, headache, muscle ache and weakness are commonly experienced symptoms of influenza or the “flu”. This nasty viral infection comes in a variety pack of three main types: A, B and C.
Whichever letter of the alphabet you get can make you miserable. There are some precautions you can take to reduce your vulnerability to the flu, but once you get it there’s nothing to do to get rid of it until it’s ready to leave. Antibiotics don’t work because it is a virus. There are, however, certain things you can do to make a bout with the flu a little less miserable. Here are a few suggestions:
1) Stay in bed— in all but the mildest of cases, a victim of the flu is usually better off in bed, resting in a well-ventilated room.
2) Get lots of liquids into your system— this is especially important when you have a fever because of the possibility of dehydration. Liquids can also provide essential nutrients when you feel too sick to eat solid food. Try thin soups and fruit and vegetable juices. Warm fluids can also soothe a sore throat.
4) Get steamed— steam heat has a soothing effect on the lungs, helping to reduce the discomfort caused by a cough, sore throat, or dry nasal passages.
5) Soak your feet— if you have a headache or nasal congestion, soaking your feet in hot water may help.
6) Get vaccinated— protect yourself against the flu by getting a flu shot in the fall or very early winter. Because the vaccine takes about two weeks to get into action, you shouldn’t wait until the flu is all around you before getting your shot.
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