Thursday, January 21, 2010
For most people, flu is completely harmless - but that doesn't stop you from feeling totally miserable! The symptoms of flu can make a healthy person have to stay in bed for a week - but there are ways to ease your symptoms if you have flu.
Flu symptoms
Typical symptoms include:
* a high temperature (fever)
* sweats
* aches and pains
* dry cough
* sore throat
* sneezing
* headache
Some other illnesses start with symptoms similar to these - but can be a lot more serious (such as meningitis, malaria or pneumonia). If you have any additional symptoms, you should contact your doctor. More info on symptoms of meningitis, malaria and pneumonia.
If you are showing signs of these symptoms, it's possible that you could have swine flu - check the symptoms of swine flu here.
If you're feeling unwell but can still get out of bed and carry on as normal, it might just be that you've got a bad cold - take our cold or flu quiz to find out.
Beat the bugs
Simple things like just eating healthily, getting enough sleep and drinking plenty of water can help your body to fight off bugs. General hygiene measures like washing your hands regularly can also help to stop you from picking up bugs in the first place. Unfortunately, there isn't a secret way to completely protect yourself from flu.
Get more advice on beating coughs, colds and flu
You could be entitled to a flu vaccination which would help to stop you from getting flu. Get more info on the flu jab
Ease the symptoms
If you're feeling rotten with flu symptoms, there isn't a magic cure - but there are some ways to ease your symptoms.
* take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower your temperature - and ease aches and pains (a paracetamol-based flu remedy could help)
* drink plenty of fluids
* medicines like throat lozenges and decongestant spray can help
* stay in bed and rest
posted by emedinfo
@12:54 AM
permanent link |
|
| Bookmark & Share |
|
<< Home