Flu (Influenza): Symptoms, Signs, Causes, Types, Diagnosis, Treatment

Treatment

Treatment – 12Healthy.com

If you have signs of flu – such as nausea, dry or productive cough, headache, fever, fatigue, or sore throat – you may want to make them subside as soon as possible. Although there is no “cure” for flu, these infections secondary to different viruses are generally self-limiting and subside on their own with time. In the meantime, there are things you can do to get symptomatic relief. These may include;

Home remedies and lifestyle modifications

Dietary changes, lifestyle modification, and some home remedies are actually quite helpful in reducing the intensity of the symptoms such as fever, sore throat, and cough. These include

  • Rinse your sinuses with a saline sprayRun a humidifier or take a steam bath
  • Drink extra water in the form of warm water, soups, or fruit juices
  • Take adequate sleep
  • Avoid passive or secondhand smoke

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Therapies

You can treat flu symptoms with a number of over-the-counter medicines. These won’t necessarily shorten the duration of your illness, but they may make you feel better while you’re waiting for it to run its course. Such types of OTC drugs include;

  • Antihistamines –They help relieve itchy eyes and a scratchy throat.
  • Decongestants –Used to decongest the nasal sinuses. They may help relieve stuffy nose and headaches.
  • Expectorants – They help loosen mucus. A good example is a guaifenesin
  • Cough suppressants –A cough suppressant should only be taken before sleep if your cough doesn’t let you rest well. Do not take cough medicine during the day because coughing stops inflammation from being settled.
  • Pain relievers/fever reducers – These medicines can be used for the fever, aches, and pains that come with the flu. Medicines like Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Motrin (ibuprofen) are good options. Avoid using aspirin. This is especially important for children and teenagers because it can contribute to Reye’s syndrome (a disease that causes liver and brain damage), but adults should also avoid taking it and use alternatives.
  • Combination products – These include two or more types of medication (a combination of pain relievers + decongestants) in one pill or syrup.