You visited your doctor's office to get a flu shot, ate plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit, frequently washed your hands and got plenty of sleep. You did all of the right things to keep yourself healthy, but now you're feeling worse by the minute, you're freezing, your body aches and your temperature continues to climb. Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory illness that is caused by influenza viruses. Even though getting an influenza vaccination and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are the best preventive methods, you still got the flu, so now what should you do?
Isolate Yourself
The most important thing you can do to avoid spreading influenza to others is to isolate yourself from others. If you have the flu, going to work or school can be difficult as it is, so it's best to stay home when possible. If you do have to go out, wearing a mask will help to decrease the risk of contaminating other people when you sneeze or cough.
Fighting a Fever
You may have a high fever during the first days of having the flu. Although having a fever is actually beneficial for fighting the flu, it is important to monitor your fever. Keep a record of any significant changes in your temperature because if it goes too high you will sweat a lot, which may lead to dehydration. Drink plenty of water with an orange or lemon slice to help you stay and for a boost of vitamin C.
Know the Signs of Dehydration
If you notice signs of dehydration it may be necessary to go to the hospital to be given fluids intravenously. You should also go to the hospital for the flu if you thought you were getting better, but the flu symptoms have returned and/or if your cough is worse than before and your fever is higher than before. Symptoms of dehydration may include:
- Urinating less frequently
- Feeling excessively thirsty
- Difficulty keeping fluids down
One of the easiest ways to prevent the spread of influenza is by washing your hands. Frequently washing your hands, especially after coughing or sneezing into them will not only prevent you from spreading the flu, but it'll prevent you from re-contaminating yourself as well when you touch your nose, mouth or eyes. In most situations, the flu doesn't warrant a trip to the doctor or emergency room; however, if your symptoms last longer than two weeks, you should schedule a doctor's appointment just to make sure your symptoms aren't caused by something mimicking the flu.
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