4 Ways to Cope with the Flu

Updated on January 28, 2020

Flu is debilitating no matter your age, but this virus can be more troublesome in older people. It can knock the wind out of your more easily, exhaust you more quickly and be harder to shake off if you don’t take the appropriate measures to cope with and recover from the flu. It’s much easier to gain health complications when you are older if you are brought down with the flu, especially in very elderly people. 

What are the Symptoms of Flu?

The symptoms remain the same, no matter what age group you fall into, but they may be more problematic or harsher in older people. 

These symptoms include:

  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Aches and pains
  • Headache
  • Nasal congestion 
  • Cough and sore throat

Here are 4 important ways to deal with the flu, to ensure that it doesn’t have any more of a negative impact on you than it already does.

1. Maintain a Healthy Diet 

This can be a very good preventative method to avoid getting the flu virus altogether by ensuring that your body and immune system is in optimum shape. However, it’s even more important to have a healthy intake of vitamins, minerals, and liquids while fighting off the flu to deal with it better. 

Certain vitamins, such as C and Zinc, are particularly effective at tackling the flu virus. To ensure you are taking in exactly what your body needs, you can seek out the IV therapy Miami has on offer for a tailored product with all the ingredients best meant for fighting the flu. 

Healthy and hydrating foods are essential, and increasing your liquid intake is a must to better cope with the flu and prevent dehydration. 

2. Get Your Rest 

The chances are that the flu will leave you with no energy to accomplish anything anyway, but it’s still important not to try and power through and fulfill your usual tasks. 

Stay at home and get plenty of rest; try to sleep as much as possible and keep physical activity to a minimum, especially if you have fatigue, aches and pains and dizziness. If you exhaust yourself even more, you run the risk of it taking longer to recover from the flu. 

3. Moisturize the Air 

The flu virus thrives within a dry environment. Adding moisture to the air around you can help to not only eradicate flu germ build-up but also serve to ease your congestion, too. 

You can try using a humidifier in your home or the room you are resting in. However, you can also try having a hot bath or shower while making the bathroom as steamy as possible.

4. Consider a Flu Shot 

Flu vaccinations are becoming more popular with the older generation, for the sake of general health. A flu shot from your doctor can be effective in protecting you against catching any flu germs. This vaccination can be sought on an annual basis as a means of preventative action. 

If you’re considering having the flu vaccination, you can speak to your doctor. 

+ posts

Senior Outlook Today is your go-to source for information, inspiration, and connection as you navigate the later years of life. Our team of experts and writers is dedicated to providing relevant and engaging content for seniors, covering topics such as health and wellness, finances, technology and travel.