Effective Ways To Treat The Flu

Wash Hands Frequently

Washing one's hands frequently is one of the main ways to prevent illnesses like the flu. If someone already has the flu, hand washing also helps them keep from transmitting the disease to others. Hand washing can keep individuals from contracting other illnesses on top of the flu, which speeds the recovery process. Individuals should wash their hands before, during, and following the preparation of food. Hand washing should occur before eating food, before and after treating a wound or cut, and after touching the garbage. They should also wash their hands after touching pet treats or food, dealing with animals or their waste, sneezing, or blowing their nose. Hand washing is also necessary after using the toilet, cleaning a child who's recently used the toilet, or changing a diaper. It's important to engage in thorough hand washing practices. Individuals should scrub their palms, backs of their hands, between their fingers, under their fingernails, and their wrists. The entire process should take a minimum of twenty seconds for full cleanliness.

Take Expectorants

One aspect of the flu is the increased production of mucus in the body, and patients tend to have excess mucus in their respiratory system. It can be too dry to cough up, leading to shortness of breath and dry coughing. If patients take an expectorant, they can cough up the phlegm in their lungs and throat to open their airways. Expectorants thin and loosen mucus by giving it a higher water content. Though expectorants don't treat the underlying flu virus or other infection that's causing symptoms, they can help affected individuals sleep better at night. The more sleep patients get, the better their immune system will function as it fights off the virus. Some expectorants can be prescribed by a doctor, and there are also over-the-counter options available. A variety of natural expectorants can be purchased as well. Even taking a steamy shower can sometimes be enough to loosen mucus in the chest. If patients are not feeling up to a shower, a hot bath can have the same effect. Brewing a mug of hot tea and letting it steam under their nose also sometimes helps.