Published On: 11-19-2019 Healthcare

How to Relieve Flu Symptoms: 7 Home Remedies

How to Relieve Flu Symptoms: 7 Home Remedies | America’s Pharmacy

Almost everyone has had the flu at some point. It can be a miserable illness, but in many cases, it can be treated at home. Here are some ways to get rid of the flu fast!

1. Get Plenty of Rest

Rest is one of the most important remedies when you’re sick. Staying home not only gives your body a chance to recuperate, but it also prevents the spread of the flu. Try to sleep as much as you can. Your body releases disease-fighting proteins known as cytokines while you sleep, which can help you fight off the flu.

2. Drink Fluids

Some common flu symptoms are diarrhea and vomiting, so you can lose a lot of fluids while you’re sick. Be sure you keep hydrated by drinking fluids throughout the day. This could include water, soup, juice, and sports drinks. Drinking a lot of fluids can also help relieve sinus congestion and thin out mucus.

3. Relieve Fever and Aches with Over-the-Counter Pain Medications

Over-the-counter drugs such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) can effectively relieve aches and bring down a fever. Taking ibuprofen and acetaminophen together can provide even more effective pain relief.

4. Calm Your Cough

A cough can keep you up at night. Try calming it with over-the-counter medications first. If you still can’t keep it under control, ask your doctor about prescription-strength cough medicine like benzonatate or albuterol.

5. Try Saline for Your Nose

Saline nasal spray or nose drops are a great natural treatment for stuffy noses. They flush out mucus and help you breathe. While some brands come with a dropper, you can also use a neti pot to administer saline.

6. Sit in a Steamy Bathroom

Similar to the saline, steam can help you breathe more easily. Run a hot shower and sit in the bathroom with the door closed until the steam builds up. 

7. Ask Your Doctor about Antivirals

Although the flu can be treated at home in most cases, there are prescription medications available. Antivirals relieve flu symptoms and can shorten your illness by a day, according to the CDC. In most cases, healthy people don’t need antivirals. However, this medication may be prescribed to people who are hospitalized or have these risk factors:

  • Asthma
  • Lung disease
  • Heart disease
  • Children younger than 2 years old
  • Adults ages 65+

A full list of risk factors can be found at CDC.gov. 

Antivirals can even reduce the risk of hospitalization or death. However, they can be expensive - especially if you don’t have insurance. If you’re struggling to afford antivirals or any other prescription drugs, America’s Pharmacy can help. We offer a prescription discount card as well as a mobile app, so you can always have savings wherever you go!

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