How to Get Rid of Summer Flu?
Summer is here and with the warmer temperatures comes fun in the sun. But the summer months can also bring nasty illnesses like the summer flu. This viral infection can knock you off your feet, bringing fever, body aches, sore throat, and other unpleasant symptoms.
If you find yourself under the weather due to summer flu, don’t despair. With some rest and self-care, you can get back on your feet faster. Here are some tips on how to get over summer flu quickly and easily.
Recognize the Symptoms
The first step is identifying if you have summer flu. Symptoms are similar to regular flu and include:
- Fever and chills
- Body aches and pains
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Coughing
- Fatigue
- Vomiting or diarrhea (more common in children)
The illness comes on rapidly, within a few hours or up to a day after being exposed to the virus. The worst symptoms typically last around 3-4 days.
Get Plenty of Rest
Once you realize you have summer flu, the best prescription is rest. Stay home from work and other activities. The virus affects your entire body, so don’t push yourself to exercise or do housework.
Sleep as much as you can to allow your body to heal. Drink plenty of water and clear fluids like broth to stay hydrated. Take a pain reliever like acetaminophen to ease aches, pains, and fever.
Getting adequate sleep helps strengthen your immune system so you can fight off the virus more quickly. Rest also prevents complications like pneumonia which can happen if you don’t give your body time to recover.
Try Over-the-Counter Medications
In addition to acetaminophen for pain and fever relief, you can take other over-the-counter medications to treat summer flu symptoms for faster recovery.
Cough syrup containing dextromethorphan can suppress coughs so you can rest. Expectorants like guaifenesin help loosen mucus. Dextromethorphan and guaifenesin are often combined in a single cough medication.
Saline nasal sprays can ease sinus congestion and flush out mucus and viruses from your nasal passages. Menthol rubs like Vicks VapoRub can open up stuffy noses and airways when applied to the throat and chest.
Antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can reduce runny noses, sneezing, and sinus pressure. Make sure to choose non-drowsy formulas if taking them during the daytime.
Use Home Remedies
In addition to over-the-counter meds, you can use items around your home to help get over summer flu faster.
Drinking warm fluids like tea, broth, and lemon water can soothe a sore throat. Add honey to coat and calm inflammation. Gargle with salt water to ease throat pain.
Use essential oils like eucalyptus, peppermint, and lavender to clear congestion. Add to a diffuser, inhale directly, or mix with a carrier oil for chest rubs.
A warm compress on your forehead, sinuses, throat, or chest brings relief by opening congested nasal passages.
Stay Hydrated
Dehydration occurs easily when you have summer flu. Fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and sweating all deplete fluid levels.
Aim for 8-10 glasses of water daily along with broth, sports drinks, or electrolyte waters. Popsicles and gelatin can help younger kids stay hydrated.
Avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages which can worsen dehydration. Signs you aren’t drinking enough include dizziness, headache, confusion, dark urine, and dry mouth.
Consider Antiviral Medication
For healthy people, summer flu usually resolves on its own with rest and self-care. However, for higher-risk individuals, doctors may prescribe antiviral medication like Tamiflu.
Antivirals work best starting within the first 48 hours of symptom onset. They can shorten the duration of illness by about one day when taken as directed.
Antivirals may be given to those at risk for complications like the elderly, very young, or those with weakened immune systems. Talk to your doctor to see if antivirals are recommended.
Know When to See a Doctor
Most summer flu cases don’t require a doctor’s visit. But contact your physician if symptoms don’t improve after a week or if they suddenly worsen.
Seek medical care immediately for:
- Difficulty breathing
- Bluish lips or face
- Severe chest pain
- Confusion or disorientation
- High fever lasting over 102°F
These could signal complications like pneumonia, bronchitis, sinusitis, or dehydration, which may require antibiotics or IV fluids.
Infants under 6 months with summer flu need medical assessment as they are too young for over-the-counter medications.
Avoid Spreading It to Others
The summer flu virus is highly contagious. You can spread it to others both before you realize you’re sick and for 5-7 days after symptoms start.
Stay home from work, school, and other public places except to seek medical care. Wear a face mask if you must go out when sick.
Wash hands frequently, and sanitize shared surfaces like doorknobs, remotes, etc. Cough/sneeze into the crook of your elbow. Avoid sharing food or utensils.
These measures help prevent the spread of illness through respiratory droplets or contaminated surfaces.
Conclusion
Summer flu can put a damper on your summer plans with miserable symptoms like fever, body aches, and fatigue. But with plenty of rest and proper care, you can recover and get back to fun in the sun.
Use OTC medications to treat individual symptoms. Stay hydrated and use home remedies like teas, essential oils, and humidifiers to soothe discomfort. Seek medical treatment if symptoms don’t improve or worsen.
Most importantly, isolate yourself from others while ill so you don’t spread the misery around. With smart self-care, you’ll be feeling like yourself again soon!
FAQ About Getting Over Summer Flu
- How long does summer flu last?
Most healthy people recover from summer flu within 7-10 days. But symptoms like coughing and fatigue may linger for 2-3 weeks. People with weakened immune systems can be sick for longer.
- When is someone with summer flu contagious?
The summer flu virus is most contagious in the first 3-4 days after symptoms begin. But it’s possible to spread for up to a week after falling ill.
- What foods help fight summer flu?
Eating foods rich in vitamins C, E, D, and zinc helps boost your immune system to combat summer flu. Great options include citrus fruits, leafy greens, nuts, seeds, eggs, yogurt, chicken soup, and garlic. Stay hydrated with water and clear broths.
- Can I take ibuprofen for summer flu?
Yes, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) can be used to reduce fever, headache, and body aches from summer flu. However, avoid aspirin for flu symptoms in children due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is the preferred fever reducer in kids.
- When should I see a doctor for summer flu?
See a doctor if symptoms last longer than a week, suddenly worsen, or if you have difficulty breathing, chest pain, high fever, confusion, or bluish lips/face which could indicate complications. Infants under 6 months should always be medically assessed for summer flu.
