This article was co-authored by Laura Marusinec, MD and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Dr. Marusinec is a board certified Pediatrician at the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, where she is on the Clinical Practice Council. She received her M.D. from the Medical College of Wisconsin School of Medicine in 1995 and completed her residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Pediatrics in 1998. She is a member of the American Medical Writers Association and the Society for Pediatric Urgent Care.
There are 23 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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If you’ve suddenly been hit with a fever, cough, sore throat, or congestion, you’re probably dealing with the flu. Even though the flu usually goes away after a couple of weeks, there are tons of things you can do to support your body and feel more comfortable while you recover. Keep reading to learn about the best home remedies and medicines you can use to treat your flu symptoms and start feeling better.
Things You Should Know
- Get rest and stay hydrated so your immune system has the energy to beat the flu virus.
- You can manage flu symptoms with home remedies, like eating soup, gargling salt water, using hot and cold compresses, and humidifying the air.
- Over-the-counter pain relievers and cold medicine can make you feel more comfortable while you get better, but won’t speed up your recovery.
- Get an antiviral prescription from your doctor if you feel severely ill or if your flu gets worse.
Steps
Foods to Eat and Avoid
Clear Congestion With This Expert Series
Expert Q&A
Reader Videos
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Tips
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Get a flu shot each year to help protect yourself from the virus.[26]Thanks
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Many people use zinc and vitamin C supplements to treat the flu, but there isn’t a lot of evidence that they’re effective.[27]Thanks
Warnings
References
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/flu/treatment/takingcare.htm
- ↑ https://www.piedmont.org/living-better/9-natural-cold-and-flu-remedies
- ↑ https://health.osu.edu/wellness/exercise-and-nutrition/foods-to-avoid-with-flu
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-to-eat-when-youre-sick/
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007445.htm
- ↑ https://health.osu.edu/wellness/exercise-and-nutrition/foods-to-avoid-with-flu
- ↑ https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2018/february/sore-throat
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003049.htm
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6848701/
- ↑ https://www.parents.com/health/cold-flu/cold/how-to-give-nasal-drops/
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003049.htm
- ↑ https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2018/february/sore-throat
- ↑ https://healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/flu/Pages/caring-for-Your-childs-cold-or-flu.aspx
- ↑ https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2018/february/sore-throat
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/freeresources/general/influenza_flu_homecare_guide.pdf
- ↑ https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2014/10/cold-flu-or-allergy
- ↑ https://www.getreliefresponsibly.com/sites/getreliefresponsibly_us/files/adult_dosing_chart.pdf
- ↑ https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/safe-ibuprofen-with-acetaminophen-2991821/
- ↑ https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/safe-ibuprofen-with-acetaminophen-2991821/
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/13756--colds-and-flu-symptoms-treatment-prevention-when-to-call
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5871211/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4848651/
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4335-influenza-flu
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/flu/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2504709/
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/10-flu-myths
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/can-immune-boosters-with-vitamin-c-or-zinc-help-my-cold/
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/flu/treatment/takingcare.htm
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/flu-vs-covid19.htm
About This Article
To get rid of the flu, stay home from work or school and focus on resting. Drink a few cups of hot tea or warm water with lemon to soothe your throat and prevent dehydration. Clear your nose with a steamy bath or shower, and relieve your fever by placing a cool, damp cloth on your forehead. Take ibuprofen or aspirin to ease aches and pains and use antihistamines to deal with congestion. To help a child with the flu, stick with Tylenol and ibuprofen for kids. To learn more from our Doctor of Medicine co-author, such as how to prevent the flu or when to seek medical attention, keep reading!
Reader Success Stories
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"My only child had puked at school, so she went to the school nurse. She'd determined that my son had the flu. I was so worried because he wanted to do a geography bee. We went to the doctor, but he did not help. We were quite disappointed with that. I was surfing the web for ways to treat the flu, and I tried every one. I finally got to wikiHow, tried everything, and wow, 2 days later my son was better! That was awesome! I was so worried, but you helped!! Without you, my son would be sick."..." more