Understanding Flu: How Do I Know I Have?
It is diagnosed on the basis of symptoms including flu, fever, headache, muscle pain and respiratory symptoms. Your doctor may perform a nose or throat culture or blood test to exclude the possibility of other diseases, or if public health officials collect statistics about an outbreak of flu, they may take it to identify the specific viral strain.
What are the treatments?
Young healthy people probably don't need flu treatment. It's gonna continue in just a few days. Symptoms sold over the counter can help. Very young and old people with other medical problems may benefit from being treated with new antiviral drugs. Even young people and healthy people can benefit from these medications when they start within the first two days. Persons older than 6 months should receive an annual flu shot.
Traditional Medicine
If you have the flu, doctors usually recommend eating nutritious foods, resting and most importantly, taking plenty of fluids. Fever causes you to lose a lot of fluid, so you need to change more things by drinking more. If you don't eat, it may be a good idea to take your liquid in the form of soup. Although the sugar content is high, electrolyte-containing sports drinks are also an option. For most people, plain water is usually the best or broth soup. You won't want to do too much activity, so it's good to stay in bed and relax. Get up when you feel you can.
Some over-the-counter medications can make you feel better. These include decongestants, antihistamines, and painkillers. Keep in mind that these products can be particularly harmful to people with heart disease, high blood pressure or other breathing problems. Cough and cold medications should not be given to children under 4 years.
Over-the-counter analgesics or analgesics suppress fever, which may prolong the course of the infection. However, if you feel very uncomfortable, take them. Older people and those with heart and lung disease may also need to suppress fever to reduce pressure in the heart and lungs. Do not use aspirin in children under the age of 19 as it is associated with Reye's syndrome, a potentially fatal complication.
There are antiviral drugs. To treat and prevent both influenza A and B, there are baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza), oseltamivir (Tamiflu), peramivir (Rapivab) and zanamivir (Relenza). Zanamivir is inhaled like an inhaler. Tamiflu and Xofluza were taken as pills and Rapivab was administered in an intravenous dose.
Secondary infections may also need to be treated. If you see that your symptoms have not improved or worsened, you may have had a secondary infection. Flu makes everyone more susceptible to other infections. Consult your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Continued
Alternative medicine
Although the scientific proof of its benefits is sparse, oscillococcinum, a homeopathic mixture, is very popular in Europe as a flu medicine. Other homeopathic preparations have shown some success in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections. Make sure your medical doctor knows everything you're getting - standard medicine and alternatives.
Herbs and Dietary Supplements
Many claims have been made, but there is not enough research showing any benefit of many herbs, including garlic and ginseng. Garlic is known to prevent blood from clotting, so a problem may arise if you are a "blood thinner".
Allicin, the active ingredient of garlic, can be found in a variety of supplements. However, recent research has shown that the actual amount you get may vary greatly and that you often receive very little. Garlic has some natural anti-viral properties, but has no proven efficacy in the prevention or treatment of influenza. If you think garlic is important to your health, you can have the best choice of safe, fresh variety.
There are very few well-designed studies on how these plants and supplements treat and prevent influenza. However, a trial of ginseng suggested that the flu vaccine could increase the effect.
There are some studies suggesting that Echinacea can improve your immune system, but evidence depends on the ability to treat or prevent influenza. Ask your doctor before you start using this medicine, because some people may be allergic to this disease.
Drinking ginger tea several times a day can provide relief for flu patients. Elderberry, elderberry, willow bark, rosehip, honeysuckle flowers and bones, such as plants that are recommended to get rid of many symptoms of influenza.
Acupuncture
Increased body temperature, respiration, pulse and blood pressure can be reduced with acupuncture therapy in some cases of colds and flu. The World Health Organization supports the use of acupuncture for respiratory and infectious complications of influenza.
Next Flu Symptoms and Diagnosis
Flu Symptoms
34AXX
Nature's Answer Alcohol-Free Sambucus Supplement, Original, 16 Fluid Ounce