Getting Well When You Have a Cold or the Flu
Even if you do wash your hands frequently and take other precautions, you can't always avoid catching a cold or the flu. But there are several steps you can take to get well sooner if you do become sick. James Jones, MD, an expert on viral infections, offers several tips for taking care of yourself and getting well when you do get a cold or the flu.
Don't count on echinacea or vitamin C, but bring on the chicken soup. There is no medical evidence that many folk remedies, such as taking echinacea or high doses of vitamin C, either prevent or cure an infection. Eating plenty of chicken soup, however, is a folk remedy that does have value. The soup helps a person recover from a cold or the flu by rehydrating the body with salts and minerals that are lost during illness. In general, a proper diet, including trace minerals, such as selenium, multi-vitamins and plenty of water are helpful in staying on top of illness and infection.
Slow down. An infection is the body's way of telling you to slow down. Listen to your body. By expending less energy on everyday activities, your body can devote more energy to fighting an infection and getting well. People who seem to get cold after cold, never really getting well are usually ones who don't give their bodies the rest they need to completely eliminate an infection. Take it easy. Get plenty of rest. Stay home from work or school for a few days. Your boss may not be happy, but remind him that staying home will help you get back to full strength more quickly, and keep you from infecting others in the office.
Medications. There are several recently approved antiviral medications that can both prevent and treat the flu. Rimantadine and Amantadine are effective against influenza type A virus, but not the type B virus. Zanamavir is a pill effective against both types of influenza virus. If taken shortly after exposure, these medications can actually prevent the flu from developing. If taken when symptoms first appear, they can shorten the duration of the infection. Oseltamivir is an inhaled medication that can be used to treat, but not prevent, both type A and B influenza viruses. People with asthma should not take Oseltamivir.
Antibiotics are not effective against either colds or the flu. Antibiotics attack bacterial infections but colds and the flu are caused by viruses.
Children with the flu should not take aspirin because of the slight chance that they may develop Reye's syndrome. Others should take aspirin with some caution. Fever is one of the body's infection-fighting tools. By reducing the fever aspirin may prolong your illness, and does make you infectious for a longer period of time.
For more information about cold and flu season talk to a nurse by calling LUNG LINE® toll-free at 1-800-222-LUNG (5864).
