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What are Treatments for the Flu?

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How to Treat the Flu.

If you believe you have the flu – regular seasonal flu or the swine flu, you must take care of yourself.  If you are wondering if you have the flu or a cold, see my prior blog post, or view the whole article.

1.    Stay HOME and rest.  Bed rest is the best.  You don’t want to weaken your body by expending energy needed just to get dressed for work.  This is a time when your body needs its strength to fight the virus.

2.    Drink plenty of fluids to keep from getting dehydrated.

3.    Don’t drink alcohol because this can increase dehydration and weaken your immune system’s response.

4.    Don’t smoke – it is not good for your respiratory system.

5.    Do take over the counter pain relievers (but don’t give to children or teens) for your head ache or muscle aches.

6.    Avoid infecting others.  Stay in a separate room and try to use a separate bathroom.  Your wearing a mask may help not spread the illness to those around you.  But from what I’ve read, a mask for the healthy people does not protect them and may actually give a false sense of security.

7.    Some doctors are prescribing an antiviral such as Tamiflu or Relenza, which may shorten the course of the illness by a day or two if the medication is given within the first 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.

8.    Without the antiviral medication, expect to recover in about five days.  Yes, this means you should be in bed for five days.  Always stay home if you have a fever or think you may be coming down with the flu.  Adults can spread the flu to others up to five days after getting sick.  A general rule of thumb is to stay home for 24 hours after the fever is gone (without taking fever-lowering medications).  That gives your body one more day to recover.  However, if your cough or congestion hasn’t diminished much from its peak, you could still be infectious.

9.    Be sure to talk with your doctor if you are a high risk patient with a history of pneumonia, sepsis or severe asthma attacks.  And of course, people ages 65 and older, those with chronic medical conditions, pregnant women and young children.

Normally you should not need to go to the hospital with H1N1.  But the virus can lead to other illnesses – bronchitis, pneumonia, sepsis and asthma flare-ups.

Emergency signs for children with flu – whether it be H1N1 or seasonal flu:

1.    Fast or labored breathing.

2.    Bluish skin color – indicates not getting enough oxygen.

3.    Not drinking enough fluids – at risk for dehydration

4.    Not waking up or interacting – very severe case.

5.    Being so irritable that the child doesn’t want to be held – also indication of more severe illness.

6.    The return of flu symptoms after appearing to recover.  This may indicate a secondary illness or that it wasn’t the flu.

7.    Fever with a rash – which may indicate an illness other than the flu.

Danger signs for adults with flu:

1.    Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath (an indication of pneumonia or sepsis).

2.    Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, indicating a more serious case of that it’s not the flu.

3.    Sudden dizziness – an indication of not getting enough oxygen.

4.    Confusion – also indicating may not get enough oxygen.

5.    Severe or persistent vomiting – which can lead to dehydration.

How to protect  from flu – either H1N1 or the seasonal flu:

1.    Get a flu shot!!  No get two flu shots.  One for the seasonal flu – and one for the H1N1 virus.  Protect you and those around you. (Check with your doctor about the H1N1 if you are over 49 years old)

2.    Wash your hands!!  With soap and warm water – for at least 20 seconds.  If soap and water are not available, the alcohol gels will help.  Wash often.

3.    Don’t get over tired.  Try to get your normal amount of sleep.  And if you feel tired – take a rest.  Your body does it’s repair work when you are sleeping.

4.    Stay away from those you know are ill.  If you’re co-workers come in sick – find a way to force them to go home.  It’s better for them – as well as for you.

5.    If you are really susceptible, try to stay in safe environments – like your home, with friends and family you know are not ill.
Stay healthy – eat healthy foods – get plenty of sleep.  To further boost your immune system, you should look into this health juice.   Hopefully you will not get the flu or a cold this season.  But if you do, PLEASE stay home.

First published:  http://ezinearticles.com/?Whats-the-Difference-Between-Cold-and-Flu?&id=2929189