Flu treatment mainly involves relieving significant symptoms until your body clears the infection. As such, your doctor might prescribe antibiotics to treat any existing secondary bacterial infection. They would also recommend a combination of self-care and medication to treat your symptoms. This article will cover the best health tips to help you fully recover.
Self-care Treatments for the Flu
People with a high risk of flu issues should get immediate medical attention. These include:
● Women who are pregnant or up to 2 weeks postpartum
● Adults aged 65 years and older.
● People who have weak immune systems
In most cases, your best flu treatment is to get lots of rest and drink plenty fluids. Other treatment tips include:
● Eating regular meals, even though you might not have an appetite.
● To bring down the fever, take a cool bath or place a cool, damp washcloth on your forehead.
● If possible, stay home from school or work until your symptoms subside.
Over-the-counter Medications
OTC medications won’t reduce the length of the flu, but they can help reduce symptoms. The best ones to use include:
Pain Relievers
OTC pain relievers can reduce the headache and muscle pain that comes with flu. Your best options include the fever reducers ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Other effective painkillers such as aspirin (Bayer) and naproxen (Aleve).
However, teenagers and children shouldn’t be given aspirin to treat flu-like symptoms. This could lead to Reye’s syndrome, which results in liver and brain damage.
Decongestants
Decongestants can relieve a runny nose caused by the flu. Some congestants found in OTC flu medications include phenylephrine (in DayQuill) and pseudoephedrine (in Sudafed).
Cough Suppressants
Cough suppressants reduce your cough reflex and are helpful in controlling dry coughs without mucus. An example of this drug is dextromethorphan (Robitussin).
Prescription Medications: Antiviral Drugs
Prescription antiviral drugs can reduce flu symptoms and prevent related complications. These drugs can also prevent the virus from growing and multiplying.
By reducing the viral spread, these medications slow the spread of infection in cells within your body. This helps your immune system handle the virus better. Common antiviral prescriptions include neuraminidase inhibitors:
● Oseltaminiver (Tamiflu)
● Zanamivir (Relenza)
● Peramivir (Rapivab)
In October 2018, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also approved a new medication known as baloxavir marxboxil (Xofluza). It treats people ages 12 and older who have had flu symptoms for less than 48 hours.
Conclusion
Flu treatment mainly focuses on reducing all significant symptoms until the illness is gone. The treatment methods we have covered in this article will help you fully recover in no time.
