What To Do When You Have The Flu
Do you think you are coming down with the flu? This virus really can wear you down and knock you for six for weeks, if not months at a time. Below we have listed the top things that we think you should do if you think you are coming down with the flu.
Get a Proper Diagnosis
The first thing that you should always do is be properly diagnosed. While the symptoms of the flu are normally quite obvious, it is important that you get your symptoms checked out by a doctor, just in case that there is the small chance that it is something far more serious. As we all know, it can be a nightmare trying to get an appointment with your local GP, but there are other convenient ways to diagnose the problem. This includes using an online Dr App which can allow you to you chat with a qualified doctor, get hassle-free prescriptions and they can even help you pinpoint the problem if you are unsure about what exactly your symptoms mean. With the flu, the main symptoms include a sudden fever, coughing, sneezing, feeling or being sick and achy muscles.
Use Antivirals
When you have the flu, most of the time the doctor will tell you to rest and just wait it out and let your body recover. However, there are a few prescriptions that can stop you from becoming worse. Relenza is one and this is a powder which you inhale, while Tamiflu is the other and it is a pill. However, if you want them to be effective then you will need to make sure that you take them within a day of your symptoms starting, otherwise, you may miss the window of opportunity that allows them to stop the flu from becoming worse.
Analgesics
If you have the flu, one of the best things that you can do is take pain and fever relieving medication. Ibuprofen is a great option as it can help to sooth any muscle aches and bring down a fever, however, if you have other chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, it is important to first check this with your doctor before you take them.
Drink Lots of Fluids
If you have a fever with your flu, it is important that you stay hydrated otherwise you could potentially become very ill from dehydration. Try and stick to water if you can, but soup and sports drinks are also great options. Drinking is a good way to soothe a sore throat and if you have an upset stomach, drinking through a straw can really help.
Make Sure to Rest
In order for your body to recover, the best thing is bed rest to help you get over the flu. Stay home and rest, or find ways to relax for a bit such as, playing online games, your productivity level will be reduced whilst suffering from flu symptoms and your co-workers will probably thank you!