Treatments to End the Flu - Medications and Self-Care

When someone catches the flu, the most important thing is to make sure they feel better by reducing the symptoms until their body can fight off the infection. Medicines and treatments can be used to help manage the symptoms and make the person more comfortable.

Medications, such as antiviral drugs, can be prescribed to help treat the flu. These drugs work by stopping the virus from multiplying in the body, which can help shorten the duration of the illness and make the symptoms less severe. However, these drugs are most effective when taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.

It's important to note that antibiotics are not effective in treating the flu. Antibiotics only work against bacterial infections, and the flu is caused by a virus. However, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if you develop a secondary bacterial infection as a result of the flu.

In addition to medication, self-care is also important when treating the flu. This can include getting plenty of rest, staying hydrated, and taking over-the-counter pain relievers to help reduce fever and ease body aches. Other self-care measures may include using a humidifier to help ease nasal congestion, and gargling salt water to soothe a sore throat.

Self-Care Treatments for the Flu: Tips and Tricks

The flu is a viral infection that affects the respiratory system. While it can be a serious illness, for most people, it will just run its course. If you're looking to feel better while you recover, here are some self-care treatments that may help.

Identifying High-Risk Groups:

If you're in a high-risk group, it's important to seek medical attention if you have flu-like symptoms. These groups include people who are 65 years or older, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

Rest and Hydration:

For most people, the best way to treat the flu is with rest and plenty of fluids. It's essential to eat regular meals even if you don't feel hungry, to keep up your strength. Staying hydrated is also crucial, so be sure to drink water, clear broth, or electrolyte drinks.

Stay Home:

If possible, stay home from work or school to avoid spreading the flu to others. It's essential to stay home until your symptoms subside, which may take up to a week.

Cool Down a Fever:

If you have a fever, you can bring it down by placing a cool, damp washcloth on your forehead or taking a cool bath. Be sure to dress warmly afterward to avoid getting chilled.

Pain and Fever Relief:

Over-the-counter pain relievers and fever reducers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) may help alleviate flu symptoms. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label carefully.

Additional Self-Care Tips:

Other self-care treatments that may help alleviate flu symptoms include:

• Having a bowl of hot soup to relieve nasal congestion
• Gargling with warm salt water to soothe a sore throat
• Avoiding alcohol consumption
• Stopping smoking, if you smoke

How Over-the-counter Medications Can Help Reduce Flu Symptoms?

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications can be useful in reducing the symptoms of the flu, though they won't necessarily shorten the length of the illness. Here are some types of OTC medications that can be helpful for treating flu symptoms:

Pain Relievers:

OTC pain relievers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help reduce the headache, back pain, and muscle pain that often accompany the flu. Other effective pain relievers like naproxen (Aleve) and aspirin (Bayer) can also be used, but aspirin should never be given to children or teenagers for treating flu-like symptoms. This is because aspirin could lead to a rare but serious and sometimes fatal disease called Reye's syndrome, which results in brain and liver damage.

Cough Suppressants:

Cough suppressants like dextromethorphan (Robitussin) can help reduce the cough reflex. They are particularly useful for controlling dry coughs without mucus.

Decongestants:

Decongestants like pseudoephedrine (in Sudafed) and phenylephrine (in DayQuil) can relieve a runny, stuffy nose caused by the flu. However, people with high blood pressure are generally advised to avoid this type of medication since it may increase blood pressure.

Antihistamines:

Antihistamines can help relieve itchy or watery eyes, which are not common flu symptoms but can occur in some cases. First-generation antihistamines like brompheniramine (Dimetapp), dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), and doxylamine (NyQuil) have sedative effects that may also help you sleep. Second-generation antihistamines like cetirizine (Zyrtec), fexofenadine (Allegra), and loratadine (Claritin, Alavert) may be preferred to avoid drowsiness.

Combination Medications:

Many OTC cold and flu medications combine two or more classes of drugs to treat a variety of symptoms at the same time. There are a variety of these combination medications available in the cold and flu aisle at your local pharmacy.

How Antiviral Drugs Can Help Treat and Prevent Flu?

Antiviral drugs are prescription medications that can help reduce the symptoms of the flu and prevent related complications. By preventing the virus from growing and replicating, these drugs slow down the spread of infection within the body's cells, which enables the immune system to deal with the virus more effectively. This leads to a faster recovery and reduces the duration of contagiousness. In this article, we will discuss the use of prescription antiviral drugs for treating and preventing the flu.

Types of Antiviral Drugs:

The most common types of prescription antiviral drugs are neuraminidase inhibitors, which include zanamivir (Relenza), oseltamivir (Tamiflu), and peramivir (Rapivab). These drugs are effective in treating and preventing the flu, but they must be taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms to be most effective. A new medication called baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza) was approved by the FDA in October 2018, which can treat people ages 12 years and older who have had flu symptoms for less than 48 hours. It works differently than the neuraminidase inhibitors.

Treatment and Prevention of Flu:

Antiviral drugs are effective in both treating and preventing the flu. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), neuraminidase inhibitors have a 70 to 90 percent success rate in preventing the flu. During a flu outbreak, doctors will often prescribe antiviral drugs to individuals who have a higher chance of contracting the virus along with the flu vaccine to bolster their defenses against infection.

Antiviral drugs can also help people who cannot be vaccinated, such as infants younger than 6 months and those allergic to the vaccine. However, the CDC warns that antiviral medications should not replace the annual flu vaccine, and overusing them can increase the risk of strains of the virus becoming resistant to antiviral therapy. Overuse can also limit availability for individuals at higher risk who need this medication to prevent serious flu-related illness.

Side Effects of Antiviral Drugs:

Like any medication, antiviral drugs can cause unwanted side effects, including lightheadedness, nausea, and vomiting. It's essential to discuss potential medication side effects with your doctor before starting any antiviral drug treatment.

Zanamivir is administered via an inhaler and is approved to treat the flu in people who are at least 7 years old and prevent the flu in people who are at least 5 years old. However, it should not be taken if you have any chronic respiratory problems such as asthma or any chronic lung disease as it could cause airway constriction and difficulty breathing.

Oseltamivir, on the other hand, is taken orally in the form of a capsule and is FDA approved to treat the flu in people of any age and prevent the flu in people who are at least 3 months old. The FDA warns that Tamiflu can put people, especially children and teenagers, at risk for confusion and self-injury.

Importance of the Flu Vaccine in Preventing the Flu

The flu vaccine is a preventive measure that helps individuals avoid the flu. Although it is not a treatment for the flu, it is highly effective in reducing the risk of getting infected with the flu virus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), individuals who are six months old and above should get a flu shot every year to protect themselves from the flu.

The best time to get vaccinated is in October or November, before the peak flu season, which typically occurs between November and March in the United States. By getting vaccinated during this time, your body has enough time to develop antibodies that can fight the flu virus during the peak season.

However, it is important to note that the flu vaccine is not suitable for everyone. It is essential to consult with your doctor before deciding whether members of your family should receive the vaccination. Your doctor can advise you on the best course of action based on individual health conditions and circumstances.