If you are reading this, you or your family members possibly have influenza (the flu). You want to know what plan you should follow to take proper care of your flu illness and its symptoms and how to prevent the sickness from spreading to others.
Such a package plan exists and is referred to as the supportive seasonal flu care package plan. It may sound big but the tips to follow are essentially simple. It will lessen your misery and suffering, which this disease is known to cause.
The symptoms that make you feel miserable, appear 1 to 4 days after you have been exposed to the flu virus. The symptoms hit you suddenly. You’re fine one moment and you could be feeling terrible within the next 60 minutes or so.
The term “miserable” is an understatement – that’s how bad you start feeling.
the fever is high at about 102F or more with chills,
the headache is severe,
there is body ache, joint and muscle pain
you don’t want to eat or drink anything
Why take the flu medicines?
Influenza is a viral infection caused by the flu virus. It is self-limiting and in its normal course, the symptoms will go away within one or two weeks even without medicines.
But, you should take the medicines because they help to lessen the misery caused by the symptoms and even shorten the duration of the illness. Taking antiviral medicines within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms will considerably improve the prognosis of a quick recovery.
Following proper steps and precautions in taking care of the patient also form part of the treatment. In other words, seriously stick to the supportive tips for the management of seasonal flu care. They are explained below.
When are you most likely to catch the flu?
You can get this viral infection any time of the year, but it is the flu season when the virus hits the population and has been known to cause epidemics and pandemics killing millions of people. This season prevails during the cold dark winter months.
In the United States, the season starts in October and lasts up to May with its peak in January and more in February. It can, however, peak as early as October or sometimes as late as May.
You have to take care to keep the severity of your flu symptoms low and prevent its complications. Some of these complications can be dangerous and can even be fatal.
Why you should follow the flu care package plan? Benefits
Along with the treatment, these supportive flu care tips
will reduce the severity of your symptoms
significantly reduce your risk of complications
shorten the duration of your illness and promote faster recovery from symptoms.
Secondly, if you are down with this infection look out for certain warning signs. They could indicate that your flu is worsening due to its complications setting in. See your doctor if that happens.
The flu care package involves DIY supportive tips, which guide you to take care of your illness at home.
Flu care package plan
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following practices to be followed by patients suffering from influenza. These flu care tips, practiced at home, are supportive and will help in containing the suffering and misery caused by this illness.
They also help you to prevent spreading the infection to others.
Stay at home during the period of illness and avoid close contact with other people.
Keep your house well ventilated.
Get plenty of sleep and rest to help your body recuperate.
Get in plenty of vitamin C. It helps to strengthen your immune system. Kiwifruit is a rich source of this vitamin.
Do not smoke to avoid worsening the already inflamed respiratory tract.
Do not drink alcohol to avoid weakening your immune system.
Try over-the-counter (OTC) medicines to relieve the symptoms.
However, it is best to consult your physician early on at the onset of symptoms especially if you are associated with high-risk factors, which make you more prone to catch the flu.
Ask your physician if your home people should take antiviral drugs as a preventive measure.
Be on the lookout for any warning signs, which can indicate a worsening situation or an onset of flu complications.
Besides, taking care of your sickness, it is important that you do not spread it to your family members and other people. Know that flu spreads very easily and is known to have caused deaths. The stats on flu deaths are alarming.
Stay at home. Do not go to your office, school, or college.
Stay in your room as far as possible to prevent giving the infection to your family members. Keep the windows of the room open.
Avoid close contact with others. Ask family members to stay at least six feet away from you.
If you have to sneeze or cough, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue.
Dispose off the tissues immediately.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Your hands could be carrying the virus.
Wash your hands regularly with soap or an alcohol-based sanitizer. Rub your hands with these agents for 20 seconds to completely rid them of the bacteria and viruses.
Keep your apartment well-ventilated.
Wipe any possible things you, as a sick person, may have touched, with a disinfectant multiple times a day.
Discourage visitors.
Have your linen and clothes washed separately.
If possible, do not allow others to use your bathroom.
Have your house floor wiped with a disinfectant every day.
