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9. Have a spoonful of honey to soothe a cough
Honey is a fairly common natural remedy for soothing a sore throat or cough. Mixing honey with tea is a great way to stay hydrated while also treating your flu symptoms.
In one studyTrusted Source, researchers found that a dose of honey was more effective at controlling a nighttime cough than common cough suppressants in children ages two to 18 years with upper respiratory tract infections.
One thing to note, though, is that you shouldn’t give honey to children who are younger than a year old.
10. Ask your doctor about antiviral drugs
Antiviral drugs are only available by prescription, so you must see a doctor first. These medications are typically reserved for people who are at high risk of developing complications from the flu.
These drugs prevent the virus from growing and replicating. They work best if you take them within 48 hours of having symptoms.
You may want to ask a doctor for a prescription antiviral if you:
- are under age 5 (age 2, in particular)
- are 18 or under and taking aspirin- or salicylate-containing medications
- are at least 65
- are pregnant or have given birth in the last two weeks
- have a chronic medical condition or you’re taking other medications that weaken your immune system
- live in a nursing home or long-term care facility
- are Native American (American Indian or Alaska Native)
- are extremely obese, with a body mass index (BMI) of at least 40
- The antiviral medication most commonly prescribed is oseltamivir (Tamiflu). In October 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza), a new antiviral for people ages 12 and older.
Taking antiviral medications within two days of the onset of symptoms may reduce both the duration of the flu by about one day and the severity of symptoms.
11. Get a flu shot
The annual flu vaccine is produced based on scientists’ predictions of which flu strain will dominate the next flu season. Sometimes, though, they get it wrong. Getting a flu shot after you’ve already had the flu can protect you from other strains of the virus.
You might think it’s too late or that you can’t get the flu again in one season, but it’s still a possibility. So, it’s a good idea to protect yourself by getting vaccinated.
12. Stay positive
We often forget how much our emotions and attitudes affect how we feel physically. While you may not be able to unclog your stuffy nose or lower your fever with positive thoughts, maintaining a positive attitude during your illness may help in your overall recovery.
The bottom line
The best thing you can do to recover from the flu is allow yourself to sleep, rest, and drink lots of fluids. If you catch your flu symptoms early, and you’re at risk of serious complications, you can try an antiviral medication to help reduce the duration of your symptoms.
Most flu symptoms resolve within one to two weeks. If your flu symptoms start to get better and then get rapidly worse, or don’t subside after two weeks, contact your doctor.
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