Most flu can be treated at home. Antibiotics do not work on flu. Getting lots of rest and drinking plenty of liquids will make you feel better. Read more about flu vaccine for children aged 2 to You can see a list of other at-risk groups here. If you have flu and you are at risk of the complications of flu, you should contact your GP. You may need special anti-viral medicines. These work best if started within 48 hours of flu symptoms. Flu symptoms come on very quickly and you get muscle aches and a high fever.
Headache is very common. You will feel extremely weak and may find it hard to even get out of bed. After a few days, you may develop a cough.
The symptoms are similar for children. But they can also get pain in their ear and may be less active than usual. For most people, flu is just a bad experience. But for others, it can lead to more serious illness. Some complications of flu can be life threatening. Disinfect commonly used items and objects, such as door knobs, countertops and toilets. Avoid contact with sick people; stay home if you have a temperature over Fahrenheit.
Keep children home from school or daycare if they appear to be sick. If you experience rapid weight loss, feel faint or develop a fever over These may be signs of a more serious condition unrelated to the flu. Diane Marks. Diane Marks started her writing career in and has been in health care administration for more than 30 years. She holds a registered nurse license from Citizens General Hospital School of Nursing, a Bachelor of Arts in health care education from California University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Science in health administration from the University of Pittsburgh.
The signs that you have a cold usually develop slowly. The most common cold symptoms include fatigue, sore or scratchy throat, nasal congestion or stuffiness, and a runny nose, followed by sneezing and coughing. The mucus discharged by a runny nose may change color over the course of the illness, starting out clear and becoming thicker, yellow, or green. Postnasal drip , in which mucus accumulates or drips in the back of the throat, can further aggravate a sore throat or cough.
Symptoms usually disappear in 4 to 10 days, although a cough often lasts into the second week. If your symptoms persist more than 10 days or keep coming back, then something else may be going on, such as allergies , sinusitis , or a secondary infection.
Adults with a fever of degrees F or higher and children with a fever of degree F or higher should see a doctor. The contagious period for the common cold has its own life span. A cold is most contagious during the first day or two after symptoms develop. Flu symptoms usually start within one to four days after infection. Unlike a common cold, the effects of an influenza virus infection can come on very suddenly. The first signs of the flu are often a fever or chills, accompanied by headache, sore throat, dry cough, runny nose, muscle aches, and fatigue.
As the illness progresses, a person may have warm, flushed skin, watery or bloodshot eyes, a severe cough that produces phlegm , and nasal congestion. Nausea and vomiting may also occur, especially among children, according to the Merck Manual. A bout of the flu typically lasts for several days or occasionally weeks, with severe symptoms subsiding in two to three days.
However, weakness, fatigue, dry cough, and a reduced ability to exercise can linger for six to eight weeks. One study of garlic supplements in adults with the flu found enhanced immunity and reduced symptom severity. Eating raw garlic may also be beneficial. Due to the immune-enhancing effects, consider eating garlic at the first signs of the flu. Yogurt with live cultures not only can help soothe a sore throat but can also boost your immune system, according to a study of mice reported in the journal International Immunopharmacology.
Yogurt also contains protein. You can eat yogurt while your throat is sore, but just be sure to choose whole yogurts without any added sugars.
While supplements can help, your body can absorb nutrients like vitamin C more effectively from the foods you eat.
Consider snacking on vitamin C—rich fruits while you have the flu. Some fruits high in vitamin C include strawberries, tomatoes, and citrus fruits. Spinach, kale, and other leafy greens can also help boost your immune system when you have the flu. They have both vitamin C and vitamin E , another immune-enhancing nutrient.
Consider combining leafy greens with fruit in a smoothie, or eat them raw with a drizzle of lemon and olive oil. Broccoli is a nutrient powerhouse that can benefit your body when you have the flu. Eating just one serving will provide immune-boosting vitamins C and E, along with calcium and fiber. Consider eating broccoli when your appetite returns toward the middle or end of the flu.
You can also eat broccoli soup; just remember to check the sodium content. Oatmeal, like other whole grains, is also a natural source of immune-boosting vitamin E.
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