Flu Treatment.. (Read 579 times)

Anyone have any good advice for treating the Flu. I've never had it before now. It sux.

If it's truly influenza it's a virus so you have to let it run its course. If it's really influenza it should be in your chest. You should be coughing and likely have a decent fever. I would take Ibuprofen for the fever and a cough suppressant. Keep up with fluids. Maybe some chicken soup.

Am I still contagious? It's been 4 days. I'm concerned my 8 year old daughter will contract it.

I would say yes. Once exposed to most viruses it takes up to 7 days to become symptomatic so she may have already been exposed. But this doesn't mean she will become symptomatic. If her immune system has been exposed to the virus before she should be fine. Just to be safe, keep your hands washed and I would wear a surgical-type mask around the house. Sitting here I can't remember how stable influenza is outside the body. Rhinoviruses that cause the common cold are very stable and therefore easily transmitted by hand to mouth. Just play it safe. When I was in Japan over Christmas I noticed a good number of people walking around with those on and I thought maybe there was another SARS outbreak. I soon learned that in Japan, when people who are sick leave their homes they put one on to keep from getting others sick. I thought it was pretty cool.

well let's see... Low grade fever 100 -101* for 3 days now. Cough Headache Bodyaches Joints hurt Tired, run down feeling.

Influenza typically gives these symptoms but a higher fever and a feeling like you have been hit by a train. There are loads of other "flu-like" illnesses this time of year. Most last 3-7 days, there is little to do but rest and get fluids. They are usually contagious as long as you have a fever and the incubation is typically between 2-5 days after contact. So yeah, your daughter may yet get it.

Did it hit all at once?

Flu usually hits faster/harder than that. You may have parainfluenza virus or RSV. Or one of the many others out there.

Put your feet up, stay away from your kiddo and get your rest. If it lasts more than 5-7 days or you start having trouble breathing, get chest pain or start getting high fevers again, go see your doc.

Children are the pot where it lives, but it can infect anybody. Anybody.