Medication
The NIH note that some of the most important ways of fighting the flu at home include:
- getting lots of rest
- drinking plenty of fluids, including juices and water
- taking acetaminophen or other over-the-counter pain relievers to reduce fever (people with underlying health conditions should ask their doctor what medication is safest for them)
- avoiding smoking or being around people who are smoking
- avoiding drinking alcohol while sick
Self-care
Lifestyle and home remedies
- Drink plenty of liquids. Choose water, juice and warm soups to prevent dehydration. ...
- Try chicken soup. It's not just good for the soul. ...
- 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.
Nutrition
The best fluids to drink are:
- clear liquids, such as water and broth
- over-the-counter preparations like Pedialyte (good choice for any age)
- sports drinks, which can help with electrolyte replacement (this should be reserved for older children and adults)
What are the best things to help for the flu?
“You’ll need to drink plenty of fluids, which can be water, but you may also benefit from using electrolyte powder or solution, which you can buy from your supermarket or pharmacy.”
How can I treat the flu naturally at home?
What is the best over the counter flu remedy?
What to do to cure the flu?
When you go to the doctor because you have been diagnosed with the flu will they prescribe an antibiotic?
If it's bacterial, antibiotics can help. But if it's viral, it needs to run its course. If you have the flu and seek treatment early enough, in the first two days doctors can prescribe anti-viral medications to shorten the length of the sickness and limit its severity.
What is the recommended treatment for someone with 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.
How do you cure the flu quickly?
Here are 12 tips to help you recover more quickly.Stay home. Your body needs time and energy to fight off the flu virus, which means that your daily routine should be put on the backburner. ... Hydrate. ... Sleep as much as possible. ... Ease your breathing. ... Eat healthy foods. ... Add moisture to the air. ... Take OTC medications. ... Try elderberry.More items...
What antibiotic works if you are diagnosed with the 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.
How long are you contagious with the flu?
Period of Contagiousness People with flu are most contagious in the first 3-4 days after their illness begins. Some otherwise healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick.
How do you treat Covid flu symptoms?
Generally, you'll need nothing more than bed rest and fluids. You also may consider an over-the-counter pain reliever to reduce some of the aches associated with flu. If you are infected with flu, your health care provider may prescribe an antiviral medication.
What are the stages of the flu?
A bout of the flu typically follows this pattern: Days 1–3: Sudden appearance of fever, headache, muscle pain and weakness, dry cough, sore throat and sometimes a stuffy nose. Day 4: Fever and muscle aches decrease. Hoarse, dry or sore throat, cough and possible mild chest discomfort become more noticeable.
When should I go to the doctor for the flu?
If you are otherwise healthy and not at increased risk of complications, seek medical advice if your flu symptoms are unusually severe, such as: Trouble breathing. A severe sore throat. A cough that produces a lot of green or yellow mucus.
Is Tamiflu over-the-counter?
Tamiflu (oseltamivir) is a brand-name prescription drug that treats flu symptoms, such as a stuffy nose, cough, sore throat, fever or chills, body aches, and fatigue. It may also be used to prevent the flu virus, influenza. Tamiflu is not available over-the-counter.
Can the flu go away on its own?
If you have influenza, you can expect the illness to go away on its own in about 7 to 10 days. In the meantime, you can take steps to feel better: Get extra rest. Extra rest can help you feel better.
Is Zpack good for flu?
Antibiotic medications such as the Z pack target bacteria and will not affect a viral infection. The Z pack is not effective against the cold or flu.
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 to take for achiness from influenza?
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.
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 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 to do if you have the flu?
CDC recommends prompt treatment for people who have flu or suspected flu who are at high risk of serious flu complications, such as people with asthma, diabetes or heart disease.
What is the name of the medication that is prescribed to treat the flu?
There are prescription medications called “antiviral drugs” that can be used to treat flu illness. What are antiviral drugs? 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.
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, ...
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).
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.
Can you buy antiviral medication over the counter?
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. Antiviral drugs are different from antibiotics, which fight against bacterial infections.
How long does it take to get tested for the flu?
There are tests that can determine if you have the flu as long you are tested within the first two or three days of illness and many providers use antiviral medications when they are confident of the diagnosis.
What are the different types of antivirals?
There are four FDA-approved antiviral drugs: 1 Oseltamivir (trade name Tamiflu®), which comes in pill form 2 Peramivir (trade name Rapivab®), which is administered intravenously 3 Zanamivir (trade name Relenza®), which is inhaled as a powder 4 Baloxavir (trade name Xofluza®), which comes in pill form
Why do you need a doctor's exam?
A doctor's exam may be needed to tell whether you have developed the flu or a complication of the flu. If you develop flu-like symptoms and are concerned about your illness because you are at high risk for complications or any other reason, you should talk to your healthcare provider.
Is Xofluza safe for pregnant women?
Xofluza is not recommended for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, outpatients with complicated or progressive illness, or hospitalized patients. Antiviral medicine is recommended for people with more severe illness, especially those who might require hospitalization.
Can you take Relenza if you have asthma?
People with chronic lung disease, including asthma, should not use Relenza or Rapivab, because these drugs sometimes worsen breathing problems.
What are the symptoms of influenza?
Lung and breathing problems, such as asthma or pneumonia. Brain and nervous system problems, such as encephalopathy or encephalitis. Septic shock or organ failure. In some cases, your doctor may suggest that you be tested for influenza. He or she may use various tests to diagnose influenza.
How to treat H1N1?
Most people with flu, including H1N1 flu (swine flu), require only symptom relief. Supportive care such as drinking liquids, taking pain relievers for fever and headache, and resting may be helpful. If you have a chronic respiratory disease, your doctor may prescribe additional medications to help relieve your symptoms.
Can you take aspirin with chickenpox?
Though aspirin is approved for use in children older than age 3, children and teenagers recovering from chickenpox or flu-like symptoms should never take aspirin. This is because aspirin has been linked to Reye's syndrome, a rare but potentially life-threatening condition, in such children.
Can a doctor diagnose the flu?
Your doctor may diagnose you with influenza based on your signs and symptoms. In most cases, knowing that someone has the flu doesn't change the treatment plan. Doctors are more likely to use a test to diagnose flu if: You're already in the hospital. You're at high risk of complications from the flu.
What are the other drugs used to treat flu?
Two other drugs, rimantadine (Flumadine®) and amantadine (Symmetrel®), were used to treat flu infection in the past. They worked by disrupting ion channels in the wall of the virus, preventing the virus from replicating during the initial stages of infection, soon after its been taken inside a human cell. However, rimantadine and amantadine are only effective in treating Influenza A, and several strains of flu have already developed resistance to them. Thus, the two medicines are no longer recommended in the United States for treating the flu.
Why are antiviral medications important?
Antiviral medicines are an important tool in both controlling influenza by treating the patient’s infection and helping to prevent severe illness that can result from flu, including bacterial pneumonia.
When was Peramivir approved?
For example, NIAID supported the initial Phase 1 clinical studies of peramivir, which was approved in 2014 by the Food and Drug Administration to treat flu infection in adults.
Which treatments should I take for flu symptoms?
The flu treatment you should take depends on your symptoms. For example, if you have nasal or sinus congestion, then a decongestant can be helpful.
Which treatment should I use for nasal congestion?
If you need immediate relief for swollen, congested nasal passages, you may get relief with an over-the-counter decongestant nasal spray. It is important to stop using decongestant nasal sprays after three days to avoid the development of rebound congestion.
Is it safe to take a decongestant if I have high blood pressure?
Decongestants can increase blood pressure and heart rate. Pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine are oral decongestants commonly available in over-the-counter products. Check with your doctor or pharmacist about safety.
Which flu treatment works best for my cough?
An occasional cough may clear the lung of pollutants and excess phlegm. A persistent cough should be diagnosed and treated specifically. On the pharmacy shelf, you'll find numerous cough medicines with various combinations of decongestants, antihistamines, analgesics/antipyretics, cough suppressants, and expectorants.
Which flu treatment should I take to lower my fever and body aches?
Children under 19 should avoid aspirin. Acetaminophen ( Tylenol) or medicines like ibuprofen ( Advil, Motrin) and naproxen ( Aleve) are over-the-counter options for fever and pain relief. Each medication has risks. Check with your doctor or pharmacist as to which medication may be suitable for you.
Which flu treatment is best for my sore throat?
Drinking lots of fluids and using salt water gargles (made by combining a cup of warm water and a teaspoon of salt) can often be helpful for easing the pain of a sore throat. Over-the-counter pain relievers and medicated lozenges and gargles can also temporarily soothe a sore throat.
Is an antiviral drug a commonly used flu treatment?
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 ).
What is the importance of rapid influenza diagnostics?
Rapid influenza diagnostics that enable medical professionals to quickly determine if a patient has the flu and if so, which strain and whether it may be resistant to antiviral drugs can ensure that the patient receives the most appropriate care.
How long does it take to detect flu?
Healthcare providers have several different ways to determine if a patient has the flu. Rapid influenza diagnostic tests can detect influenza in under 30 minutes, using swabs or samples of secretions taken from a patient’s nose or throat.
What is the class of antiviral drugs that inhibit the release of influenza virus?
Today, researchers are developing clinical assays to determine whether influenza viruses are sensitive to neuraminidase inhibitors, a class of antiviral drugs that inhibit release of influenza virus from infected cells.
How long does it take for a virus to be tested?
It can take days or even longer for a healthcare provider to receive results from these tests, and the resulting delay in diagnosis can make treatment less effective.
What are the best treatments for the flu?
The best treatments for people with the flu are lots of rest and plenty of fluids.
Why aren't antibiotics effective against the flu?
Antibiotics aren’t effective against the flu because it’s caused by a virus, not bacteria. But your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat any secondary bacterial infection that may be present. They’ll likely recommend some combination of self-care and medication to treat your symptoms.
What is the best medicine for a runny nose?
Decongestants can relieve a runny, stuffy nose caused by the flu. Some decongestants found in OTC flu medications include pseudoephedrine (in Sudafed) and phenylephrine (in DayQuil ). People with high blood pressure are generally told to avoid this type of medication, since it may increase blood pressure.
How do antiviral drugs help?
Prescription antiviral drugs can help reduce flu symptoms and prevent related complications. These drugs prevent the virus from growing and replicating. By reducing viral replication and shedding, these medications slow the spread of infection in cells within the body.
How long does it take for antiviral medication to work?
It works differently than the neuraminidase inhibitors. For maximum effectiveness, antiviral drugs must be taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. If taken right away, antiviral medications can also help shorten the duration of the flu. Antiviral medications are also used in flu prevention.
How to bring down a fever?
Don’t go back until your symptoms subside. To bring down a fever, place a cool, damp washcloth on your forehead or take a cool bath. You may also use over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers and fever reducers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).
Can you take zanamivir if you have asthma?
It’s approved to prevent the flu in people who are at least 5 years old. It comes in a powder and is administered via an inhaler. You shouldn’t take zanamivir if you have any type of chronic respiratory problem, such as asthma or any chronic lung disease. It could cause airway constriction and difficulty breathing.
