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The Doctors Book of Home Remedies II: Flu

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Flu

Do you feel the onset of a brain-mashing headache--along with major muscle aches, bone-tiring fatigue, vomiting and a fever that makes you sweat and shiver? These are all clues that the flu has its hold on you.

Anyone who's had the flu before will probably be tempted to get a flu shot before the season begins--and a shot can prevent the flu or lessen its severity. But if it strikes, most of the recovery action is on the home front. Here are some things you can do to make your flu flee.

By all means, feed your flu. You need vitamins and minerals to mount an effective defense against the flu bug, says Herbert Patrick, M.D., assistant professor of medicine and medical director of the Respiratory Care Department at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. Aim for well-balanced meals, or at least try some bland fruit such as mashed bananas or applesauce.

Sip your nutrition. "Drinking your nutrients is a good idea when you have the flu, especially if you're not up for eating solid foods," says Frederick Ruben, M.D., professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh and spokesperson for the American Lung Association. Wash down your meals with a vitamin-rich juice such as vegetable juice, or have a bowl or two of soup. The more fluid you drink, says Dr. Ruben, the more your tissues are hydrated, and the more mucus flows.

Beware of fluid flu remedies. Combination cold/flu liquid remedies can contain as much as 80-proof alcohol. "That's equal to the amount in a shot of liquor," says Dr. Ruben. Alcohol can depress your immune system and also dry out your mucous membranes, so you should avoid it when you have the flu, he says.

Toss your old toothbrush. The virus continues to linger on wet toothbrush bristles, and you can reinfect yourself day after day, says Dr. Patrick. To prevent this, throw away your toothbrush three days after the onset of the flu and use a new one.

When to See the Doctor

If you are over age 65 or have certain chronic conditions such as heart disease or lung disease, doctors recommend getting a flu shot before flu season begins. Residents of nursing homes and most medical personnel are also advised to have flu shots, which can usually prevent the flu entirely or lessen its severity.

If you do get the flu, you should see a doctor immediately if you have any of the following symptoms.

Hoarseness
Pains in the chest
Difficulty breathing

Also, be sure to consult a doctor if you have vomiting that continues for more than a day or severe abdominal pain. Prolonged vomiting can leave you dehydrated, which is especially risky for young children and elderly people. And abdominal pain can be a sign of another problem, such as appendicitis.

Steer clear of crowds. There is a season when you're more likely to be hit by this viral bully, according to Dr. Patrick. "Spending time in offices, malls, theaters or other crowded environments between December and February increases your chances of ending up flat on your back with the flu, especially if your resistance is low," he says.

Consider postponing that flight. More than a decade ago, researchers from the Alaskan division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta traced an outbreak of flu to a single infected passenger in an airplane. Due to a faulty ventilation system, the air inside the cabin recirculated the flu virus as the plane sat waiting for takeoff. Later, 38 of the 54 people on the flight came down with the flu. There have not been follow-up studies, "but an airplane has cramped quarters and air blowing all around, which may create a high-risk situation for exposure to airborne infectious diseases," says Nancy Arden, chief of the Influenza Epidemiology Division of the CDC. If you have any kind of chronic condition (such as diabetes or heart or lung disease), a bout with the flu could be serious. You may want to reduce risk of exposure by avoiding long trips in peak flu season, from December through February.

Develop the hand-washing habit. "Ordinary soap kills the flu virus, but in order to reduce your chance of infection, you've got to remember to wash your hands throughout the day, not just before meals or after going to the bathroom," says Carole Heilman, Ph.D., chief of the Respiratory Diseases Branch at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in Bethesda, Maryland. When a family member is sick, you can use a disinfectant spray on the sink and countertops. Use hot, soapy water to wash towels, telephones and dishes.

Go for the tiny droplets. Humidifying a room can help lick the flu, according to Dr. Patrick. The vapor emitted by a room humidifier moistens the mucous membranes in your nose and throat, so germs are more easily trapped and expelled.

If you use an ultrasonic room humidifier, be sure to rinse it out daily to prevent mold and fungus growth in the water reservoir, says Dr. Patrick. (And you should run a hot-water-and-bleach mixture through the machine at least once a week, following directions on the humidifier.) Better yet, use a hot steam humidifier that moisturizes and kills any microbial growth in the water.

Breathe deeply ... and meditate. Relaxation techniques may protect you from influenza and other infections, according to the results of a study at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine that involved the use of self-hypnosis for relaxation. But you don't have to do self-hypnosis to get the benefits of relaxation therapy. Other ways to relax include deep breathing and stretching, meditation and yoga.

Don't exercise. Once you have been hit by the flu, get in bed and cancel your daily run. "There is some evidence that pushing yourself when you have the flu can depress your immune system and slow your recovery," says David Nieman, Ph.D., a health researcher at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina.

After your symptoms clear-which usually takes about a week--wait another two weeks before returning to your regular exercise schedule.

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