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Lifestyle and home remedies
By Mayo Clinic staffIf you do come down with the flu, these measures may help ease your symptoms:
- Drink plenty of liquids. Choose water, juice and warm soups to prevent dehydration. Drink enough so that your urine is clear or pale yellow.
- Rest. Get more sleep to help your immune system fight infection.
- Consider pain relievers. Use an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), to combat the achiness associated with influenza. Don't give aspirin to children or teens because of the risk of Reye's syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal disease.
References
- Seasonal influenza — Questions & answers. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/disease.htm. Accessed Nov. 21, 2012.
- Key facts about influenza (flu) & flu vaccine. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm. Accessed Nov. 21, 2012.
- Dolin R. Clinical manifestations of seasonal influenza in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Nov. 21, 2012.
- What you should know about flu antiviral drugs. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/antivirals/whatyoushould.htm. Nov. 21, 2012.
- Dolin R. Epidemiology of influenza. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Nov. 21, 2012.
- Longo DL, et al. Harrison's Online. 18th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2012. http://www.accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=4. Accessed Nov. 21, 2012.
- Influenza antiviral medications: Summary for clinicians. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/antivirals/summary-clinicians.htm. Accessed Nov. 21, 2012.
- Zachary KC. Treatment of seasonal influenza in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Nov. 21, 2012.
- What you should know for the 2012-2013 influenza season. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season-2012-2013.htm. Accessed Nov. 21, 2012.
- Preventing the flu: Good health habits can help stop germs. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm. Accessed Nov. 21, 2012.
- Steckelberg JM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Nov. 30, 2012.
- Jefferson T, et al. Neuraminidase inhibitors for preventing and treating influenza in healthy adults and children. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. http://www.thecochranelibrary.com/view/0/index.html. Accessed Nov. 24, 2012.
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