When we get the flu, what can we do to relieve the symptoms and feel a little better? We reveal some useful tips that will be of great help to you.
In a previous post we have provided information about how to prevent seasonal flu as well as the recommendations of the WHO and the Ministry of Health, both organizations consider annual seasonal flu vaccination as the most effective prevention.
Seasonal flu can seriously affect anyone or any age group and if we find ourselves in the situation where the flu has already caught us, you may ask yourself the following question: what to do when we have already caught the flu and the first symptoms begin to appear?
If the flu has already caught us, it is convenient to know that medicines do not cure, they only help to calm or alleviate the symptoms , and in these cases, since it is a virus, we should not take antibiotics, much less without a prescription.
We must pay attention to some symptoms that may arise and alert us:
- High fever when they exceed 40.5 degrees in adults, the elderly and children.
- In the case of babies from 3 to 24 months when the temperature exceeds 39.5.
- In the case of babies from 0 to 3 months when they present a rectal temperature of more than 38ºC.
In some cases, the flu can cause some more serious complications that are usually due to respiratory conditions, such as pneumonia.
This condition can occur in the elderly, people with weak defenses, and in young children.
And how to recover?
Rest is one of the best remedies, and the body itself is going to ask us for it, since one of the first symptoms is fatigue because the flu weakens the body, so it is advisable to stay home and rest.
In addition to rest, we must hydrate well, drink plenty of fluids, such as water, natural fruit juices rich in vitamin C, such as orange, grapefruit, grapes, infusions that help us strengthen our defenses such as blood, elderberry tea, ginger to relieve flu symptoms, and eat light foods, easy to digest such as purées, creams, broths, and also consume fruits rich in vitamin C such as oranges, tangerines, kiwi, pineapple, grapes.
If we have a fever, we should not overdress because the body needs to cool down.
Flu symptoms usually last a week as long as no complications arise. It is possible that even if we have had flu, we could have another again and this can sometimes happen because there are several types of viruses circulating at the same time.
If after having been vaccinated it turns out that you have caught a cold, it is likely that you were already incubating a cold or flu.
Many people come to think that because they have been vaccinated they have become ill; this is usually the case because they believe that the vaccine itself has developed the disease, which is totally impossible since these vaccines do not contain microorganisms.
The seasonal flu vaccine, although it is the most effective method of prevention, does not protect us 100%, but it does help reduce symptoms, above all to avoid possible complications that can affect the population group called high risk.
The seasonal flu vaccine also prevents the disease from spreading and becoming contagious to the point of becoming an epidemic.
Many people are not aware that a simple flu can become complicated and have serious consequences if we do not act on time.
That is why it is convenient to carry out healthy lifestyle habits in which the diet is healthy, balanced and in which moderate physical activity should not be lacking, both body and home hygiene habits, taking care of ourselves throughout the year we will be able to strengthen our defenses and be in shape to prevent the flu from making its appearance as much as possible.
