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The Best Flu Relief

One day, you're perfectly healthy but the next day, you can barely get out of bed. While the news media gave the H1N1 flu virus a lot of attention during 2009, you can become infected with any strain of influenza, a contagious respiratory illness, whenever you come in contact with other people, some animals or even things people have touched.

However, here are things you can do to alleviate the symptoms of the flu, which, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, include fever, fatigue, headache, coughing, a sore throat, a runny nose and body aches.

  1. Get hydrated

    • Drink plenty of fluids to keep yourself hydrated. When infected with the flu virus, your body may lose fluids, either by fighting the infection or as a side effect of medications. Dehydration can lead to health complications. The U.S. government recommends you drink clear fluids such as water, broth or sports drinks.

    Reduce pain

    • Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend ibuprofen, commonly known in the United States by its brand name "Advil", acetaminophen, found in Tylenol and naproxen, found in Aleve, to treat fever and body aches.

    Stop the coughs and sneezes

    • Take an over-the-counter cough suppressant with an expectorant, such as Mucinex. This will help reduce mucus and post-nasal drip, which can lead to coughing and a sore throat. Make sure to read the box's instructions well and be aware that some medications of this nature may cause drowsiness, which can impair driving.

    Take your vitamin C

    • Pop a vitamin C supplement every day or eat food that contains your daily recommended amount of vitamin C. A U.S. study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics in 1999 found that vitamin C may relieve flu symptoms in people if given in megadoses before or after the symptoms appear.

    Take prescription drugs

    • Take anti-viral medication or antibiotic, which your physician must prescribe. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended such medications to people who are particularly ill or possess a higher risk of having complications from the influenza virus, such as children or the elderly.

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