By It’s almost inevitable that there will be an annual flu season. Sure, the COVID-19 pandemic and its resulting lockdowns may have reduced the influenza era’s nasty hold for a year or two, but generally speaking you can expect the virus to rear its phlegmy, snotty head right around winter time!
Influenza comes with a range of yucky symptoms that, whilst some are similar to those of COVID-19, are actually from a different virus, meaning it’s still important to get tested if you are unsure of what you have. Symptoms include aches, chills, a nasty cough and fatigue that generally lasts from a few days up to a week.
If you do have influenza (or are worried about getting it) then you might be reading this from the couch, wondering about the best ways to get rid of that nasty virus as soon as possible.
Well, there may be no miracle remedy to influenza, but there are some healthy things you can do to hopefully alleviate some of its symptoms sooner and prevent it in the first place!
Let’s take a look at them below:
1. Get the vaccine!
If you’ve already succumbed to this year’s dreaded influenza season then that is unfortunate, but there is something you can do to potentially prevent it in the year to come – get the Afluria Quad flu vaccine!
Studies indicate that receiving the vaccine greatly reduces the chances of going to the doctor with influenza, meaning it can help stave off its nastier effects even if you succumb to it.
2. Get plenty of rest
So, if you’ve already got influenza, it is good to know that there are things you can do to reduce its severity and hopefully get back on your feet as soon as possible: one of those things is getting as much rest as possible.
After all, engaging in physical activity, whether as innocuous as cleaning the home or as obvious as going to the gym, will further wear you out, something which only serves to prolong this unwanted illness.
What’s more, by continuing with your normal routine you run the risk of infecting others, and you really don’t want to be that person. So, the best thing you can do if you succumb to influenza is to get as much rest as possible so that you can get back to your routine as soon as possible!
3. Remember to get that nutrition in
It’s common for people to lose their appetite when they succumb to influenza, but it’s important to at least try to get some of our regular nutrition in so that we can maintain our strength and flush out the toxins that are making us sick.
Antioxidants, minerals and vitamins all work to cleanse the body of the influenza virus, so be sure to try to stick to regular, nutrient-rich meals to combat the virus!
4. Stay hydrated
Influenza makes our bodies lose plenty of liquids. Through diarrhoea, sweating and vomiting, our body loses the hydration we need to keep the blood freely circulating those flu-fighting white blood cells that help us get back on our feet sooner.
So, one of the most important things we can do when we have influenza is to work on our hydration. Obviously, water is the best remedy, but herbal teas can also help whilst providing relaxation and the potential for clearing our nasal passage in the process.
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