My Influenza Experience, Dealing with the Flu

The flu can strike just about anyone. I neglected to get my flu shot this year and out of nowhere it hit me like a ton of bricks! You can feel absolutely fine one minute and the next you are feverish, run down, achy and nauseous with no appetite. I am not speaking about a common cold or virus. I am referring to the dreaded influenza. The flu is caused by influenza viruses A and B. There are different strains, or types, of the flu virus every year. I don't know exactly which strain I was attacked by, but I am sure non of the strains are good.

The flu or "influenza" is a viral respiratory infection that is highly contagious. Symptoms, which sometimes come on quickly, are fever, headache, muscle weakness, runny nose, sore throat and extreme fatigue. Outbreaks usually occur in Fall and Winter. The first 3-4 days are usually the worst but can take 1-2 weeks to get better.

Basically it has to run it's course. I am not a physician so I recommend that if you are not sure that your symptoms are from the flu virus, or if the symptoms are severe, I suggest you see your physician. I can only share with you my recent experience and how I helped myself to heal.

The first day, all I wanted to do was hide in the dark and sleep, sleep, sleep. I forced myself to sip water and ginger ale all throughout the day and I took Motrin for the fever and ache and pains. On the second day I took an herbal thyme bath, lathered on thyme cream and sipped on herbal teas. My choice was ginger tea for the upset stomach and licorice root tea as an expectorant and to soothe my throat. I continued on getting plenty of rest and fluids and I still didn't have much of an appetite. When my son was diagnosed with influenza, the doctors said not to worry about the food intake for a few days but to make sure he had plenty of fluids. By the third day I was able to stomach some chicken soup and started to regain some strength. I also added 1000 mg. of Vitamin C.

The symptoms usually are the worst for the first 3 or 4 days. But it can take 1 to 2 weeks to get completely better.

By day 4, the fever, chills, headaches were gone but cold symptoms lingered, runny nose and sneezing. I am not out of the woods yet. In fact, sometimes the flu can lead to bacterial infections so you have to be careful, and in rare cases the flu can cause more serious problems like pneumonia. I will have to watch closely for any symptoms of a bacterial infection, such as nasal drainage that changes from clear to colored after 5-7 days and symptoms that return or get worse. So I will still need to take it easy, drink lots of fluids, don't overdo it, take vitamins and eat nutritious foods when I can handle eating.

You can help prevent the flu by getting the flu vaccine every year. I thought I was pretty healthy and didn't need the flu shot this year. I won't make that mistake again next year.

The best time to get the vaccine is in October or November, just before the start of flu season. You can get the vaccine as a shot or in a spray that you breathe in through your nose.

Also you can ask your doctor for Tamiflu.It is used to treat flu symptoms caused by influenza virus in patients who have had symptoms for less than 2 days. It may also be given to prevent influenza in people who may be exposed but do not yet have symptoms.