If you’re currently battling about of flu, a couple of questions come to mind:
How long does this usually last and what can you do to recover fast? This
article will answer these questions, plus provide other helpful facts and tips
to get you through flu season.
What Are the Symptoms of the Flu?
Flu symptoms usually appear one to four days after your
exposure to the influenza virus. You’ll first start running a fever, which may
sometimes be accompanied by chills. The symptoms typically get worse a few days
or hours in. If you’re starting to feel sick and you’re quite sure that you’ve
come across a person with the flu, here are some of the symptoms that you
should be on the lookout for:
Dry, chesty cough
Aching muscles and joint pain
Vomiting and diarrhea
Runny or blocked nose
Fatigue and weakness
In rare cases, the flu may make you more susceptible to a
number of complications, including viral or bacterial pneumonia,
dehydration and sinus infections. People who are at risk of suffering from
these complications are usually children, adults over 65 years of age, people
with compromised immune systems and pregnant women.
If you experience shortness of breath, severe headache,
bloody phlegm, or you start coughing up yellow, green or brown sputum, seek the
advice of a health professional. This will ensure that you’re not suffering
from another condition or a complication brought on by your weakened state.
Early treatment of these complications will help reduce the risk for any
serious repercussions.
What Causes the Flu?
The flu is caused by an influenza virus infection. There are
three types of influenza virus, namely types A, B and C. Types A and B are
mostly responsible for influenza outbreaks, with Type C responsible for milder
cases of colds. Type A influenza viruses usually develop different strains,
with the H1N1 being one of the latest strains. This type of virus is mostly
responsible for pandemics.
The influenza virus is transmitted when air droplets from a
sick person are inhaled by an uninfected person. These air droplets are usually
expelled when the infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus may be spread
through direct physical contact, such as kissing, or by sharing personal items
like handkerchiefs.
How Long Does the Flu Normally Last?
After you are exposed to the virus, you may start feeling
sick between one to four days later, with the influenza symptoms persisting for
a few days before you start feeling better. The peak of an influenza infection
usually comes with severe symptoms that can persist for two to three days, but
they typically subside after that period. Milder symptoms, such as fatigue and
colds, may persist for seven days or more. In some cases, flu symptoms may last
for one to two weeks after the onset.
Influenza fever in both adults and children generally lasts
around three to four days. If you or your child’s fever doesn’t go down after
the fourth day or it reaches a temperature above 103 degrees Fahrenheit,
consult a doctor immediately.
How Can You Treat Influenza?
The most common flu treatments that people are familiar with
are antiviral medications, such as Tamiflu. However, flu medications may expose
you to a variety of side effects, such as nausea, vomiting and
diarrhea. If you’re currently suffering from the flu or you’re tasked with
caring for a sick loved one, there are numerous ways that you can expedite
recovery. Here are a few tips you can follow to start the healing process:
Get lots of rest. The most important thing that
you can do is rest. Your body is fighting off a viral infection, which explains
your weakened state. Avoid exerting too much effort on physical activity as it
may aggravate fatigue and body pain. While exercising might seem like a good
idea to “sweat out” the flu, it may prolong the symptoms and even promote
dehydration.
Drink plenty of
liquids. Keeping
yourself hydrated will help speed up recovery. Increasing your fluid
intake will replenish the fluids lost through perspiration, urine and decreased
food intake.
Get a steam bath. When you have flu, there’s a
high chance that you’re also suffering from a stuffy nose. Entering a steam
room may help loosen up the mucus blocking your nose. This will help you
breathe easier and relieve headaches caused by your blocked up nasal
canals. Steam baths can help relieve some of the body ache that you’re
suffering from.
Consider using
saltwater. Dealing with a clogged nose makes
everything harder when you have the flu. If you’re having difficulty breathing
because of a stuffy nose, consider saltwater rinsing to break up the mucus
buildup. You can also gargle saltwater to soothe sore throat.
Support your
immune system. You can hasten recovery by boosting
your immune system with natural remedies. Some examples are colloidal
silver, oregano oil and garlic.
Optimize vitamin
D levels. Getting vitamin D from the sun may
help lower your risk of influenza as it strengthens your immune system and
fights against respiratory infections.
Avoid sugar and
processed foods. Sugar canes negatively affect your
immune function. Ridding your diet of all the unnecessary sugars and switching
to healthier food choices will give your body a better source of energy and
improve your immunity.
Exercise: Regular
exercise helps improve circulation and blood flow throughout the body,
improving your immunity by speeding up immune cell spread.
Wash your hands. One
of the most common medium of transmission for the influenza virus is through
physical contact. Washing your hands regularly will let you avoid spreading or
acquiring the virus through touch.
Comments
Post a Comment