Take a look at what is recommended for flu symptoms.
Once again if you think you are looking at flu symptoms and it is within 48 hours, you should seek urgent care. If it is determined to be the flu, you may be given antiviral medication which would reduce the severity of the flu symptoms and prevent any complications.
There is no cure for the flu. What you can do is:
- Take care of the symptoms
- Reduce it's ability to limit your daily activities
- Reduce the duration of the flu
- Prevent any complications.
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Choose your symptoms from the list below and see what is recommended.
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Preventive measures
1. The best way to prevent getting the flu illness is a flu shot. Early October is best, but any time is good.
Look for quadrivalent vaccines. It should cost nothing if you have health insurance.
2. Frequent hand wash and use a hand sanitizer in the absence of water to wash the hands.
Keep a small bottle in the bag, car, and office. Flu virus can stay on surfaces for hours.
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If you think you have a flu:
Please go back and choose the symptom(s) that you feel closely relate to what you have or might have had and let's recommend something for you.
Remember, there is no cure for the flu. All we can do is manage the symptoms if you have one.
Decongestants
They reduce swelling of the small blood vessels inside the nose, sinuses and throat.
Start with the nasal spray. This provides immediate relief. If after 3 days you are still feeling stuffed up, switch to the tablets.
You should not use the spray for more than 3 days. Take this seriously or else you will get into a circle of rebound congestion and it is not fun. A doctor will have to prescribe a type of steroid to break the circle.
If a nasal spray that used to give you 10 to 12 hours of relief is now giving you 8 hours or less, then it is time to stop. You are near the rebound congestion phase.
Do not take decongestants tablets containing phenylephrine. These does not work.
Go to the pharmacy counter and ask for pseudoephedrine. Requires a government issued ID. Go through this extra step if you want to breathe.
Antihistamine
Histamine is released if the immune system detects a harmful foreign object like a virus, bacteria, pollen, or dust.
This cause the surrounding small blood vessels to expand, leak fluid, irritate surrounding nerves leading to a runny nose, sneezing, mucus production and so on.
You will need an antihistamine.
For flu symptoms, first generation antihistamines like diphenhydramine, chlorpheniramine, clemastine are useful.
Stay away from loratadine, fexofenadine, or cetirizine. These do not help with runny nose due to flu symptoms.
Multi-symptom products are the best way to go if you also have this runny nose with other flu symptoms.
Compare multi-symptom cold and flu products using the link at the end of this page.
Pain / Fever reducer
Usually with the flu, you will have body aches, headaches, joint pain and fever.
Which pain or fever reducing medicine should you choose? Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin?
If fever is the main concern, go with acetaminophen.
If muscle aches and pain, go with ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin. These have anti-inflammatory properties compared to acetaminophen.
If headache is the major problem, go with acetaminophen. It works better with headaches.
If it is a sore throat, go with either one, but we particularly like Tylenol® Cold Cool Burst due to the way it is formulated to help with a sore throat. Pay the extra money to get the brand name. Store brands do not work the same in this case.
Cough Relief
Thick and dried mucus may have accumulated in the chest.
You will have to loosen the mucus, moisturize and expectorate it (cough it out) so the chest will start feeling less congested.
First step:
Break up or loosen the gunk so it will start flowing again. To do this:
1. Drink a lot of water.
2. Moisturize the airways to loosen this dried mucus.
Use a humidifier or a cool mist vaporizer. If you don't have one, don't go running to the store to buy one. Just stick your head over a pot of warm water that has steam coming out or better yet, take a hot shower.
Cold viruses thrive in dry conditions like winter. Moisturizing the airways will help get rid of them quicker.
Second:
Need an expectorant.
Guaifenesin is the ingredient to look for in a cough syrup or tablet.
If cough is keeping you up at night, add "DM" dextromethorphan. This is a cough suppressant.
Tap on Yes, Compare below for the best way to choose a cough medication that will work best for you.
Stomach Relief
The goal is to prevent dehydration if you are vomiting or have diarrhea.
Fluid, fluid and fluid. Drink clear fluid or gatorade. Start with sips and gradually increase volume based on what your stomach can handle.
Broth and tea is also recommended. Any drink to give you strength. But stay away from coffee and alcohol. Coffee will keep you awake. You need to get some sleep. Alcohol will make you dehydrated.
Multi-Symptoms
Use the comparison section of this app to compare multi-symptom flu medications.
Worth doing
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. CDC recommend you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. More tips from CDC.
3. Call the doctor for Tamiflu® to protect the rest of the family.
4. Wash your hands and use hand sanitizers often.
You can compare over the counter multi-symptom cold and flu medications that will work best for you.
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Article currently being updated and reviewed by the pharmacist.
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