12 tips to get better from the flu faster

Influenza is a disease caused by the virus Influenza, which generates symptoms such as sore throat, cough, fever or runny nose, which can be very uncomfortable and interfere with daily life.

Treatment for the flu is usually done at home with rest and adequate hydration, but may also include the use of some medications to alleviate discomfort, as long as they are recommended by a doctor. Check out a list of the main medicines used to treat the flu.

Furthermore, at home it is possible to take some precautions to speed up recovery and help fight the flu, such as gargling with warm water and salt, or using a hot water bottle on your muscles, for example.

Check out the main tips for getting better from the flu faster.

1. Rest

Resting is essential to reduce flu and cold symptoms, as it allows the body to use all its energy to fight the disease.

Doing any physical activity when you are sick reduces the body’s defenses, increases the risk of exposure to other infectious agents and delays healing.

Fluids, especially water, are even more important if the flu causes a fever, as dehydration can occur. Know how to identify the symptoms of dehydration.

Furthermore, liquids, such as fruit juices, teas, smoothies and soups, can provide the necessary nutrients when a person is unable to eat.

3. Use medicines only with guidance

If there are many symptoms, the doctor may recommend the use of some medications, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, to alleviate symptoms and speed up recovery.

But ideally, these medications should only be used under the guidance of a doctor. Discover the main flu remedies.

4. Gargle with water and salt

Gargling with water and salt helps to reduce the discomfort and inflammation of the throat that can occur with the flu, in addition to being effective in removing secretions present there.

5. Increase humidity

Increasing the humidity in the room you are in, such as your bedroom or study room, for example, helps reduce the discomfort of coughing and dry nose. To do this, simply leave a bucket of water in the room.

6. Use a hot water bottle

In some cases, there may also be muscle pain, so using a hot water bottle on the muscles helps to reduce muscle discomfort, as it helps to relax the muscles due to the vasodilation it causes.

7. Nasal wash with serum

Washing your nose with serum helps eliminate secretion from the nose, which is increased during flu and colds, and reduces discomfort in the region, preventing headaches, the feeling of a stuffy nose and the development of sinusitis.

8. Drink flu teas

Drinking a flu tea, such as star anise tea or lemon tea with honey, helps to strengthen the immune system or eliminate the flu virus, for example.

Additionally, these teas help hydrate the body and prevent dehydration. Learn how to prepare flu teas.

Read too: 8 garlic teas for flu (and how to make them)

9. Take a warm bath

A warm bath helps relieve body pain and discomfort caused by the flu.

Furthermore, the steam from the bath water helps to humidify and reduce irritation in the respiratory tract, making the phlegm more liquid and easier to eliminate, thus helping to relieve a blocked nose and cough.

10. Consume foods with vitamin C

Foods rich in vitamin C, such as oranges, lemons or strawberries, have antioxidant effects that help strengthen the immune system to fight the flu virus, relieving symptoms more quickly.

Therefore, it is recommended to increase the consumption of these foods, whether fresh or in the form of juices, for example. Check out the complete list of foods rich in vitamin C.

Read too: 3 orange teas for cold and flu

11. Take homemade flu syrups

Taking a homemade flu syrup, such as onion and garlic syrup, or ginger syrup with lemon, honey and propolis, helps relieve flu symptoms.

Furthermore, these syrups have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that help strengthen the immune system, accelerating recovery. See how to prepare homemade flu syrups.

12. Eat foods that are good for the flu

Good foods for flu help strengthen the immune system, as they are rich in vitamin C and A, flavonoids, curcumin or allicin with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action.

Therefore, it is recommended to increase the consumption of foods such as turmeric, ginger, garlic or orange, for example. Check out the main foods that are good for the flu.