- Drink plenty of liquids. Choose water, juice and warm soups to prevent dehydration.
- Rest. Get more sleep to help your immune system fight infection. You may need to change your activity level, depending on your symptoms.
- Consider pain relievers. Use an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), to combat the achiness associated with influenza. ...
What are the best home remedies for the flu?
Aug 31, 2021 · Studies show that flu antiviral drugs work best for treatments when they are started within 2 days of getting sick. However, starting them later can still be helpful, especially if the sick person has a higher-risk health condition or …
What are the best medications to treat the flu?
Feb 14, 2018 · Newspapers and TV stations around the U.S. have reported that some consumers are having difficulty finding the flu vaccine and prescription antiviral medications such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu and...
How can I treat the flu naturally at home?
If you’re searching the web for flu treatment, you probably aren’t feeling too well now. Learn about how to treat the flu.
What is the best over the counter flu relief?
Sep 11, 2020 · Flu Treatment #1: Stay hydrated. Experts at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City recommend that you “drink lots of fluids.” When you have a fever and are fighting a virus, you need plenty of fluids to help your body fight the infection and to replace fluids lost from sweating and any vomiting or diarrhea you may have.
What is the fastest way to cure flu?
In this ArticleStay home and get plenty of rest.Drink plenty of fluids.Treat aches and fever.Take care of your cough.Sit in a steamy bathroom.Run the humidifier.Try a lozenge.Get salty.More items...•Dec 23, 2020
What is the most effective medicine for flu?
Antiviral flu drugs are taken to decrease the severity and duration of flu symptoms. In some cases they may be used to prevent flu. They include baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza), oseltamivir (Tamiflu), peramivir (Rapivab), or zanamivir (Relenza).Dec 15, 2020
Is it better to let the flu run its course?
Young, healthy people probably don't need to be treated for influenza. It will simply run its course in a few days. Over-the-counter medications for symptoms may be helpful. The very young and old and those with other medical problems may benefit from being treated with antiviral medications.Dec 7, 2020
What treatment is recommended for the flu?
Currently, there are three antiviral drugs recommended for treating the flu: oseltamivir (Tamiflu®), zanamivir (Relenza®), and peramivir (Rapivab®). These drugs work by interrupting the function of neuraminidase on the virus surface and preventing the release of viral particles from infected host cells.
Can doctors give you anything for the flu?
Yes. There are drugs your doctor may prescribe for treating flu called “antivirals.” These drugs can make you better faster and may also prevent serious complications. See Treatment – Antiviral Drugs for more information.
Can they give you anything for the flu?
Yes. There are prescription medications called “antiviral drugs” that can be used to treat flu illness. What are flu antiviral drugs? Flu antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid, an inhaled powder, or an intravenous solution) that fight against flu in your respiratory tract.
When should you go to hospital for flu?
When to go to the ER Adults with a sustained fever of more than 102 degrees, as well as any combination of the below flu-like symptoms, should seek medical attention: Difficulty breathing. Severe chest or stomach pain. Vertigo and lightheadedness.
How is Covid flu treated?
Whether you have flu or COVID-19 with mild symptoms, there are ways you can manage your symptoms at home:Hydrate. Be sure to drink plenty of liquids, such as water, juice and warm soups, to prevent dehydration. ... Rest. Catch up on your sleep to help your immune system fight off the infection.Medicate.Dec 6, 2021
Is there antibiotic for flu?
Remember, over-the-counter medicines may provide temporary relief of symptoms, but they will not cure your illness. Antibiotics won't help if you have flu.
What is the best treatment for the flu?
You might need antiviral medication to treat flu: Antiviral drugs can treat flu illness. Antiviral drugs are different from antibiotics.
Why is it important to take antiviral medicine early?
It’s very important that antiviral drugs be used early to treat people who are very sick with flu (for example, people who are in the hospital) and people who are sick with flu and have a greater chance of getting serious flu complications, either because of their age or because they have a high risk medical condition.
How long does it take for antiviral drugs to work?
Studies show that flu antiviral drugs work best for treatments when they are started within 2 days of getting sick. However, starting them later can still be helpful, especially if the sick person has a high-risk health condition or is very sick from flu (for example, hospitalized patients).
What is an antiviral?
Antiviral drugs are different from antibiotics. Flu antivirals are prescription medicines (pills, liquid, intravenous solution, or an inhaled powder) and are not available over the counter. Antiviral drugs can make illness milder and shorten the time you are sick. They also can prevent serious flu complications, like pneumonia, ...
How to keep from getting sick?
While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
Do you need to take antiviral medication if you have the flu?
Most people with flu have mild illness and do not need medical care or antiviral drugs. If you get sick with flu symptoms, in most cases, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people except to get medical care.
Can you get antiviral pills over the counter?
Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid, an inhaled powder, or an intravenous solution) that fight against flu in your respiratory tract. Antiviral drugs are not sold over the counter. You can only get them if you have a prescription from your doctor or health care provider.
How to help a person with the flu?
If you do come down with the flu, these measures may help ease your symptoms: Drink plenty of liquids. Choose water, juice and warm soups to prevent dehydration. Rest. Get more sleep to help your immune system fight infection. You may need to change your activity level, depending on your symptoms.
What is the best medicine for the flu?
Use an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), to combat the achiness associated with influenza. Children and teens recovering from flu-like symptoms should never take aspirin because of the risk of Reye's syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal condition.
How to get rid of the flu?
If you do come down with the flu, these measures may help ease your symptoms: 1 Drink plenty of liquids. Choose water, juice and warm soups to prevent dehydration. 2 Rest. Get more sleep to help your immune system fight infection. You may need to change your activity level, depending on your symptoms. 3 Consider pain relievers. Use an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), to combat the achiness associated with influenza. Children and teens recovering from flu-like symptoms should never take aspirin because of the risk of Reye's syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal condition.
How long should you stay home with a fever?
To help control the spread of influenza in your community, stay home and keep sick children home until fever has been gone for 24 hours. Avoid being around other people until you're feeling better, unless you're getting medical care. If you do need to leave your home and get medical care, wear a face mask.
Can amantadine cause nausea?
Antiviral medication side effects may include nausea and vomiting. These side effects may be lessened if the drug is taken with food. Most circulating strains of influenza have become resistant to amantadine and rimantadine (Flumadine), which are older antiviral drugs that are no longer recommended.
Can you take zanamivir with asthma?
Oseltamivir is an oral medication. Zanamivir is inhaled through a device similar to an asthma inhaler and shouldn't be used by anyone with certain chronic respiratory problems, such as asthma and lung disease.
Do you need to be tested for influenza?
During times when influenza is widespread, you may not need to be tested for influenza. Your doctor may diagnose you based on your signs and symptoms. In some cases, your doctor may suggest that you be tested for influenza. He or she may use various tests to diagnose influenza. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing is becoming more common in many ...
What is the best medicine for flu?
Elderberry (which comes in liquid, tablet, gummy, and tea form and is said by some to ease congestion; elderberries are shown at top) and the homeopathic product Oscillococcinum, which is marketed to “temporarily relieve flu-like symptoms,” appear to be in high demand—selling out in some stores.
What is the most commonly prescribed medication for the flu?
have reported that some consumers are having difficulty finding the flu vaccine and prescription antiviral medications such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu and generic are the most commonly prescribed) and zanamivir (Relenza). These drugs can reduce flu symptoms somewhat and may shorten the course of the flu.
Who is Hallie Levine?
Hallie Levine. Hallie Levine is an award-winning magazine and freelance writer who contributes to Consumer Reports on health and fitness topics. Her work has been published in Health, Prevention, Reader's Digest, and Parents, among others.
Why do people wear masks?
It may also help prevent you from passing the virus from your hands to your mouth or nose. If you’re at high risk of flu complications—for example, you’re over age 65 or have a compromised immune system—consider wearing masks whenever you are in a crowded area, such as a full movie theater, Lipman says.
Do you wear a mask when you are sick?
And wear one if you're sick and are going to be around other people, or are caring for someone with the flu. Last, consider a mask if you're going to a doctor's office, or if you're traveling on an airplane, especially if people around you seem sick.
What type of masks are available?
Two types of masks are currently available: surgical masks (available at drugstores and online), designed to block large particles that may carry viruses, and N-95 respirators (available at some hardware, medical supply, and office supply stores and online), which block even smaller particles.
Can antibiotics cause a fever?
If you’re running a high fever and feel miserable, you may be tempted to ask your doctor for antibiotics. But these only work for bacterial infections—not viral infections like the flu. And using the medications unnecessarily can contribute to an increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria and bacterial infections that are hard or impossible to cure, Lipman says.
What is the best medicine for the flu?
Several herbal remedies are touted to help treat flu, including: North American ginseng, licorice roots, berries and pomegranate, guava tea, and Bai Shao. Although many people swear by these herbal favorites, there needs to be further scientific research to support their effectiveness.
What is the flu?
Influenza—better known as the flu, is a nasty viral infection that strikes millions every year, both in the winter and spring. If you have full-blown flu, ...
What to drink when you have a fever?
Water is best but drink whatever you fancy (other than alcohol and coffee) and plenty of it.
How do you know if you have the flu?
Then you start to feel a little achy, or sneezy, or you may wake up in the morning feeling like you’ve been beaten up. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), you may get one of several of these symptoms:
What to do if you have a dry cough?
Try cough suppressants for a dry cough and an expectorant if your cough is wet and productive (of mucous). Those are “The Big Four” flu treatments. But there are other research-backed natural flu remedies that may help you get back on your feet promptly, so we’ll continue with our list.
How long does zinc help with colds?
According to The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), “Oral zinc lozenges may reduce the duration of the common cold (research is sparse on flu), when started within 24 hours and taken for a time period of less than 2 weeks.” They advise against the use of intranasal zinc. Some clinicians warn, however, that side effects (such as dry mouth, constipation, and nausea) can result from use with several medications. Limit zinc use to one week only, and stop if you get side effects.
Can you eat cookies with the flu?
For many people, flu knocks out their appetite. If you’re healthy, you’ll not need to worry about this for a couple of days. When you are up to eating, it’s tempting to reach for comfort foods like cookies and ice cream, but you’re better off opting for a healthy green salad, a superfood smoothie, or some good old homemade vegetable or chicken soup.
How to cure the flu naturally?
Here are10 natural remedies for the flu: 1. Drink up. The flu can leave you dehydrated, especially if have vomiting or diarrhea. So be sure to get enough fluids. Water is fine. So are fruit juices and electrolyte beverages. You may want to stay away from caffeinated drinks , because caffeine is a diuretic.
How to fight infection?
Be a couch potato. Listen to your body. If it’s telling you not to exercise, don’t. If it’s urging you to spend all day in bed, do. Don't press on with daily chores even in the face of severe cold or flu symptoms. Rest is “another way of supporting the body’s ability to fight infection,” Blackwelder says.
What is the best medicine for a sore throat?
Cough drops, throat lozenges, and hard candy can be surprisingly effective at easing a cough or sore throat. Some doctors, including Kiefer, swear by lozenges containing slippery elm. Others recommend zinc lozenges to help shorten cold symptoms, though Schaffner is not convinced of their effectiveness.
Where can I buy a neti pot?
You can buy a neti pot in health food stores and drugstores, or opt for a saline squeeze bottle.
Does chicken soup help with the flu?
A study published in the journal Chest showed that chicken soup may help with symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections like the flu. “I believe that chicken soup does help with symptoms,” says Reid B. Blackwelder, MD, professor of family medicine at East Tennessee State University in Kingsport.
How to get rid of sore throat and congestion?
Another is to use a steam vaporizer or a humidifier .
Is urine yellow or yellow?
Your urine should be pale yellow, almost colorless. How about drinking alcohol? No way. “When you have the flu, the last thing you want to do is drink alcohol,” says William Schaffner, MD, chairman of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tenn.
What is the best medicine for the flu?
acetaminophen (Tylenol) ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) naproxen (Aleve) If you are at high risk of complications, and if it is early in the infection, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral drug for treating flu, such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu, generic versions).
How to get rid of the flu?
Wash your hands with soap and water before eating or touching your face. Contact your doctor for promptly if you get flu symptoms. Quit smoking. Smokers are more likely to get the flu than nonsmokers. These steps won't guarantee that you'll escape the flu this year, but they may help prevent it.
What are the risks of the flu?
Some people are at increased risk for complications from influenza. These people include: 1 the very young 2 people 65 or older 3 people with chronic illnesses, such as asthma, heart disease, HIV, or diabetes 4 pregnant women 5 people with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher
How to predict how long the flu will last?
To better predict how long the flu will last, take steps to reduce your risk of contracting the virus and experiencing severe symptoms. Consider the following steps, as suggested in the Harvard Special Report A Guide to Women's Health: Fifty and Forward. Get an annual flu vaccine. Wash your hands with soap and water before eating ...
How does the flu spread?
The main way that illnesses like colds and the flu spread from person to person is through the droplets that sick people propel when they cough and sneeze. You can also get the flu by exposure to saliva passed by routine contact, such as kissing or sharing eating utensils.
How long does the flu last?
Symptoms usually appear from one to four days after exposure to the virus, and they last five to seven days.
What age group is at risk for pneumonia?
people 65 or older . people with chronic illnesses, such as asthma, heart disease, HIV, or diabetes. pregnant women. people with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher. People in those groups may have weakened immune systems, and are at increased risk for the complication of pneumonia, which can be deadly.
What is the best antiviral medication for the flu?
Common antiviral prescriptions include: zanamivir (Relenza) oseltamivir (Tamiflu) peramivir (Rapivab) These medications, known as neuraminidase inhibitors, reduce the ability of the influenza virus to spread from cell to cell, slowing down the infection process.
How long does it take for a doctor to test for influenza?
In this procedure, your doctor swabs your nose or throat. The test will detect influenza viral RNA within 30 minutes or less.
How do you know if you have the flu?
Unlike a common cold, the flu typically occurs with a sudden onset of symptoms. Common signs of an influenza infection include: 1 coughing 2 runny or stuffy nose 3 sneezing 4 sore throat 5 fever 6 headache 7 fatigue 8 chills 9 body aches
What is the type of influenza?
What is type A influenza? Influenza — also known as the flu — is a contagious viral infection that attacks your respiratory system. Influenza viruses that infect humans can be classified into three main groups: A, B, and C. Type A influenza infection can be serious and cause widespread outbreaks and disease. Common symptoms of type A infection can ...
Is influenza A or B?
Influenza A vs. influenza B. Types A and B influenza are the more common forms of this infection, routinely causing seasonal outbreaks. Type C influenza usually only causes mild respiratory infections. Type B influenza can be just as severe. Trusted Source.
Is the influenza virus dangerous?
Type A influenza can be dangerous and is known to cause outbreaks and increase your risk of disease. Unlike a type B infection, type A viruses are categorized by subtypes and strains. Influenza A mutates faster than influenza B, but both viruses are always changing, creating new strains from one flu season to the next.
Can the flu go away on its own?
While in some milder cases the flu can resolve on its own without significant symptoms, severe cases of type A influenza can be life-threatening.
How to treat viral gastroenteritis?
You can treat viral gastroenteritis by replacing lost fluids and electrolytes to prevent dehydration. In some cases, over-the-counter medicines may help relieve your symptoms. Research shows that following a restricted diet does not help treat viral gastroenteritis.
How old do you have to be to get Rotarix?
Rotarix: Infants receive this vaccine in two doses, at ages 2 months and 4 months. For the rotavirus vaccine to be most effective, infants should receive the first dose by 15 weeks of age. Infants should receive all doses by 8 months of age. If you have a baby, talk with your baby’s doctor about rotavirus vaccination.
Can probiotics help with diarrhea?
Probiotics are live microbes, most often bacteria, that are like the ones you normally have in your digestive tract. Studies suggest that some probiotics may help shorten a case of diarrhea. Researchers are still studying the use of probiotics to treat viral gastroenteritis.
Can you vomit after eating?
When you have viral gastroenteritis, you may vomit after you eat or lose your appetite for a short time. When your appetite returns, you can most often go back to eating your normal diet, even if you still have diarrhea. Find tips on what to eat when you have viral gastroenteritis.
