So you’ve got the flu, huh? Thankfully, in a world with two surging viruses this time of year, the flu is the more manageable of the two.

Nevertheless, the flu is not an easy virus to get through at times. Symptoms like fever and body aches can make it a tough week or two, but there are ways to ease those symptoms!

Our AFC Urgent Care Cleveland team elaborates more on the flu and how you can get through those uncomfortable symptoms below. so keep reading!

What Are Some Key Facts About the Flu?

The flu is a respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. This illness attacks the nose, throat and lungs, and it can, at times, lead to serious illness.

Flu cases rise each winter, but thankfully, the flu vaccine works to lower both your chances of getting sick and having serious health complications due to the virus. We’ve listed some common symptoms of the flu below.

Common Flu Symptoms

• Fever
• Aches and pains throughout the body
• Headaches
• Chills
• Sore throat
• An extreme feeling of fatigue
• A persistent and worsening cough
• Stuffy or runny nose

If I Get the Flu, What Can I Do to Feel Better?

Unfortunately, if you get the flu, there is no known cure for the virus. However, there are many things you can do at home to feel better and to make the more common symptoms, such as fever and body aches, more manageable.

In addition to the treatments we’ve listed below, talk with your doctor about possible flu antiviral drugs. These can be helpful in reducing the duration and severity of the illness.

Remedies That Can Reduce Flu Symptoms

• Stay home and get plenty of rest. Staying home will keep you from spreading the virus to anyone else, and resting will allow your body sufficient time to recuperate.
• Drink lots of fluids. Water is the best choice, but consuming other liquids will help, too! Things like broth-based soup and tea will help to flush out thick mucus into a thin liquid you can cough up and spit out.
• Treat aches and fever. If your body aches and fever are causing lots of discomfort, using OTC pain relievers and fever reducers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be extremely helpful. Don’t give aspirin to anyone younger than 19, though, as it is linked to a condition known as Reye’s syndrome, which is a serious illness that can damage the brain and liver.

Have further questions about the flu? Don’t hesitate to reach out to our AFC team today!