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Nobody wants the flu. But with flu season fast approaching, there’s not much one can do but prepare for it. Being aware of the signs and symptoms is just one way to be prepared, allowing you to start getting the rest you need, and treating yourself with various medications that can relieve your symptoms. Plenty of home remedies have also been found effective in treating symptoms, providing relief from the flu’s most unpleasant symptoms. Of course, you can also take preventative measures, getting your flu shot that can prevent or shorten the duration of the flu and protect others from getting the flu too. If you are getting ready for this flu season, read on to learn about the top treatments and symptoms you should know about.

What to Know

  • Medications
  • Home Remedies
  • Flu Shots
  • Symptoms

Medications

A variety of medications available by prescription and over-the-counter can work wonders for the flu. NyQuil is one commonly used medication that is available over-the-counter. It effectively addresses many of the symptoms of the flu including congestion, cough, body aches, fever and headache. It also features a sedative that will help you sleep when taken at night. During the day, you can take DayQuil, which is a little weaker but is a non-drowsy version of the medication. One of the best medications for reducing fever however, is Ibuprofen, also known as Advil or Motrin. You can get it over-the-counter, but it is also available by prescription. An antiviral drug called Tamiflu can be taken to reduce the amount of time you are sick by at least a day. To be effective, it must be taken within the first 48 hours of the flu. But if you are experiencing a more severe case of the flu, it can help after the first couple days.

Top Medications

  • Nyquil
  • Ibuprofen
  • Tamiflu

Home Remedies

Home remedies can be a great alternative to medications in some cases. While there is certainly no harm taking medications in moderation, you don’t want to take too many as doing so can cause damage to your organs. One of the best things you can do to overcome the flu is to get a ton of sleep. Getting plenty of sleep will help you recover much more quickly as the body will be in full recovery mode. For relieving symptoms like congestion, using a hot wash cloth worn over the face can help open up your sinuses, which may also relieve sinus headaches. For sore throat, drink hot liquids like herbal tea and soup. Most important of all, you want to drink plenty of liquids to keep hydrated. Because the flu can cause sweating from fever, as well as diarrhea, it is easy to get dehydrated. Avoid alcohol and caffeine. Instead drink water, sport drinks and juices that have plenty of electrolytes. If you allow yourself to become dehydrated, you’ll feel even sicker and delay recovery.

Top Home Remedies

  • Sleep
  • Use a hot wash cloth for sinuses
  • Drink fluids

Flu Shots

Getting your flu shot is vital to preventing the flu or reducing the time you are sick.  When you get a flu shot, you are not only protecting yourself from the flu, potentially preventing death, but you are also protecting others, since not everyone can get a flu shot. These shots are readily available from local pharmacies like CVS, but you can also get them from clinics. Passport Health is one of the largest health clinics in the United States and has provided flu shots to a wide variety of individuals like you. Another option is to get a flu shot from your primary care provider during your next check-up. Flu shots are almost always covered by insurance and usually without any sort of copay. However, if you do not have insurance, a flu shot will usually only cost you around $30.

Top Flu Shot Providers

  • CVS Pharmacy
  • Passport Health
  • PCP

Flu Symptoms

The flu can cause a variety of unpleasant symptoms that may be more or less severe depending on the person infected. Many who become infected with the flu start off with a sore throat. Not long after, you may develop body aches in your joints or muscles. One of the tell-tale signs of the flu is a fever. After that, you could experience a variety of symptoms such as a headache, cough, runny nose, fatigue and even watery eyes. While the flu can be mistaken for a cold based on these symptoms, the fever and body aches are not common when it comes to a cold. The flu can last anywhere from a few days to a couple weeks, but usually does not last much longer in a healthy individual if symptoms worsen or persist over an extended period of time, it is important to see a doctor immediately.

Top Flu Symptoms

  • Fever
  • Body Aches
  • Congestion

Conclusion

Although often the the severity of the flu is underestimated, the flu can be potentially deadly for many people. Getting your flu shot now can both protect you from the flu and its variety of strains, and it can protect others as well. But should you have the flu, it is important to get the treatment and rest you need to overcome it.