See your doctor: There are effective prescription drugs that can treat a flu if taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.
2
Sleep as much as you need to; let your body be your guide.
3
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water'at least eight glasses a day. If you don't feel like having plain water, add freshly squeezed lemon juice to water or drink diluted fruit juice.
4
If you are having nausea and/or vomiting, avoid solid foods until the vomiting stops and you are able to hold down clear fluids.
5
Start off with chicken or vegetable broth and dry crackers once you feel like eating. These are both easy to digest.
6
Drink tea or herbal tea with honey. It is very soothing to a sore throat.
7
Take ibuprofen, aspirin or acetaminophen for fever, aches and pains if you are an adult. Give children acetaminophen or ibuprofen, not aspirin.
8
Use a humidifier or vaporizer if the air is dry. It will help break up mucus.
9
Choose an appropriate over-the-counter cough syrup based on your symptoms. Keep in mind that multiple-ingredient medications may contain ingredients that counteract each other.
Tips & Warnings
The flu is caused by a virus and cannot be cured with antibiotics. But if you are still sick three to five days after its onset, or if you become very sick very quickly, see a doctor. It's possible to have a bacterial infection along with a viral one, or to have an extremely virulent case of the flu.
This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen for joint pain...
