The flu is a contagious infection of the respiratory tract, including the lungs, throat and nose. Whether it is the seasonal flu, or the H1N1 flu virus, it often runs its course and leaves on its own, without any special treatment. While the flu is very common, it can also be very serious. There are steps you should take to treat the flu, which will make your symptoms milder, the duration of the flu shorter, and help prevent it from spreading to others.
Step 1
Rest. If you suspect you have the flu, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you stay home from work or school, and get plenty of rest. The purpose of this is two-fold. First, resting helps your body concentrate its energy on healing and fighting infection, instead of other unnecessary functions. Second, staying home and resting helps keep you out of public circulation, which in turn prevents spreading the flu to others. The CDC advises that one remain home until 24 hours after a fever has gone down without the use of medicine. The one exception to this, of course, is to seek medical treatment.
Step 2
Drink extra fluid. When you have the flu and a fever, you can lose fluid quickly. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health reports that if you are losing more water than you are consuming, you run the risk of becoming dehydrated. Dehydration can cause muscle weakness, nausea, and add to an overall feeling of general "unwell." Also, fluid is needed in the body to keep the mucous loose and the membranes moist, which will help you to expel excess mucous and phlegm. If you, or someone you are caring for, are so ill that you are not able to consume large amounts of water at a time, take continual small sips, suck on ice chips, or eat ice pops. If diarrhea has been a problem, drink electrolyte replenishing fluids.
Step 3
Use proper hygiene. When your nose is runny, blow it into disposable tissues every chance you can. This will help keep the mucous from building up. When you sneeze, always sneeze into a tissue. The CDC reports that the number one way that the flu is spread is through moist droplets that are expelled when an infected person coughs or sneezes. When you are done with the tissue, discard it immediately, and wash your hands. If you are in bed, keep some disposable baby wipes, or a bottle of antibacterial hand sanitizer, nearby. This helps keep the flu virus germs off of other items you touch, such as door knobs or the phone.
Step 4
Eat some chicken soup. Recommended for decades for treating a cold or the flu, researchers at the University of Nebraska found that chicken soup truly does make a difference in respiratory tract infections, mainly through the fact that the ingredients in the chicken soup help reduce inflammation of the air passageways. Researchers were unable to locate a specific ingredient in the soup that would be responsible for its health benefits. Instead, they concluded that it is the combination of ingredients that deliver the healing effects.
Step 5
Use an over-the-counter pain reliever to treat body aches and lower fever. Pain relievers containing ibuprofen, acetaminophen or naproxen can help make your symptoms feel less severe and make you more comfortable. However, the Mayo Clinic warns that they will not help you get over the flu any faster, and they can cause side effects if used for an extended length of time.
Tips and Warnings
- Practice "flu" hygiene even when you are not sick, and get those in your household to do it with you. Proper hand washing, disposing of tissues, and disinfecting contaminated surfaces will help prevent you from catching the flu.
- If your symptoms do not appear to be improving after one week, see your physician. If you experience shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention immediately.
