We’ve all been there: that icky feeling in the body, a rising temperature, the nose starting to clog up and drip, the constant need to sneeze. All of these are early symptoms of the flu and need to be addressed early so that they don’t develop much further.
Luckily, there are a range of things you can do to prevent the virus from getting too bad or too contagious. If the past year has taught us anything, it’s that we need to take care of our health and hygiene, and so bust out the ear thermometer, check your temperature and settle down on the couch - these are five things you need to do in the first 24 hours of the flu to ensure you recuperate quickly!
Try to take it easy
We all live busy lives, with work and other stresses combining to make flu symptoms worse if they arise. But, if possible, you shouldn’t over-exert yourself when you start to feel sick. Try to avoid exercise and take the rest of the day off from work if you can. Thankfully, businesses are more seeing the importance of allowing their staff to rest when sick, so hopefully you can get that couple of days you will need to allow the body to quickly recover. Your body requires energy to heal - allow yourself to gain this energy by resting up!
Over-the-counter medication cans help
Early flu symptoms like body aches, sinus pain, headaches and fever can be helped with common pain-relievers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen, but be sure to read the labels carefully before purchasing these over-the-counter medications. This is because taking too little of this medication might not be enough while taking too much can be toxic. Be very careful with doses for kids, as they often differ from that of adults.
Keep warm!
Because cold environments are a breeding ground for bacteria and other viruses - they just love it! While you may not be able to prevent yourself from getting just from keeping warm all winter, be sure to avoid cold environments when you’re already getting sick. Stay warm and dry and this can help fight the virus in its early stages.
Sleep is key
It’s important to sleep as much as possible in the first 24 hours of an illness, as this gives your body a better chance of quick recovery. You don’t need to stay up late reading work emails or watch your favourite Netflix series for hours on end - your body needs to recover, and sleep helps it do so.
Drink plenty of fluids
Your body needs to stay hydrated as hydration helps your immune system fight common flus. Lemon water, sports drinks, sugar-free drinks and decaffeinated drinks are your best option, while soothing lemon and honey teas can be good for a sore throat and congested system.
If your symptoms don’t improve over a day
This is when you might want to consult a health specialist, as symptoms can generally improve over 24 hours if you’re doing the right things by your body. You may have to start antiviral medicine within the first 48 hours of illness, as this can stop it from getting worse. Either way, if your symptoms get worse or stay very stagnant after a day or two of treating your body quite well, it may be time to hoist yourself out of bed and consult your local GP!
