The best way to arm yourself against the threat of the flu is by getting a flu shot every year at the start of the flu season -- late summer to early fall. However, even the flu shot is not 100 percent effective, so knowing the warning signs and being prepared is essential to minimizing discomfort and speeding recovery times.
What Are The Symptoms?
The common cold can start off with many of the same symptoms as the flu, but very quickly, those symptoms are joined by fever, chills, aches, cough, nausea and other symptoms that indicate that you’re in for more than just a few days of sniffles.
f you or a loved one develops these more serious symptoms of flu, call your healthcare provider immediately. He or she can write a prescription for one of two approved antiviral drugs to help your body fight off the flu and other viruses and may shorten the time that you spend fighting symptoms. Because these drugs work best when taken within two days of the onset of symptoms, it’s important that you get your prescription as soon as possible, especially if you begin to develop these symptoms during the winter months when you’re at a higher risk for having contracted the flu virus.
Even with these antiviral drugs, however, you likely still will face some level of illness and discomfort. Many of these items can be stocked ahead of your illness as a sort of home flu survival kit. You should take several steps to help ease your discomfort or suffering during your illness.
Stay Home: If you think you’ve contracted the flu, experts advise that you should stay home for seven days from the onset of symptoms or until you’ve been symptom-free for 24 hours. This will keep you from spreading the virus to others and will encourage you to take care of yourself, which will help your body fight off the illness in a shorter time.