This article was medically reviewed by Janice Litza, MD. Dr. Litza is a Board Certified Family Medicine Physician based in Racine, Wisconsin. With over 25 years of educational and professional experience, she has extensive experience providing full-spectrum Family Medicine, including obstetrics, newborn care, and hospital medicine. She is currently the Residency Program Director for Family Medicine at Ascension. Dr. Litza received her MD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health and has completed additional fellowship training in Integrative Medicine through the University of Arizona.
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If you have a viral infection, you can't treat it with antibiotics, so the best way to get through it is to fight the symptoms. These can vary, but they usually include a cough, sore throat, runny nose, fever, chills, body aches, and fatigue. We're here to help, so clear your schedule and curl up with a blanket and some tissues—it's time for some serious self-care.
Steps
Expert Q&A
Tips
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Always cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough to reduce the chances of spreading the virus to someone else.Thanks
Warnings
- If you have a normal virus, such as a cold or flu, that does not go away after 10 or so days, go to see a doctor. You may have developed a secondary bacterial infection.Thanks
References
- ↑ https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/viralinfections.html
- ↑ https://www.netdoctor.co.uk/health_advice/facts/virusbacteria.htm
- ↑ http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002404.htm
- ↑ https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-Consumer/#h3
- ↑ https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-Consumer/#h3
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/basics/treatment/con-20019062
- ↑ http://www.medicinenet.com/acetaminophen/article.htm
- ↑ http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a682878.html
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/basics/treatment/con-20019062
- ↑ https://www.drugs.com/flonase.html
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/basics/treatment/con-20019062
- ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/basics/alternative-medicine/con-20019062
- ↑ https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/viralinfections.html
- ↑ https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/viralinfections.html
- ↑ http://www.everydayhealth.com/colds/when-to-see-a-doctor.aspx
About This Article
To treat a viral infection, stay at home and get as much rest as you can, since your body needs energy to fight the infection. Additionally, drink lots of water, juice, or other liquids to counteract the dehydration that goes along with viral infections. Just be sure to avoid alcohol or caffeinated drinks, which make dehydration worse. You can help boost your immune system by eating foods that are high in vitamin C, like oranges, peppers, and tomatoes. Also, get your hands on some chicken soup if you can, since it acts as an anti-inflammatory and can help clear your stuffy nose. For information from our Medical reviewer on how to take over-the-counter medications to treat your viral infection, read on!
Reader Success Stories
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"Just the knowledge that what I am suffering from is normal, and advice on rest and fluid intake."