Dealing with the flu - General Health Message Board

Dark Stranger · 01-10-2008, 01:57 PM

I think I may have a mild case of the flu, and I say mild because I've had the flu a couple times before and I was bed-ridden for about two weeks because I was so weak. I have many flu symptoms, but I don't feel extreme weakness. I have the following symptoms:

Cough
Chills
Fatigue

I can't tell if I have a fever (and I have no thermometer), and the symptoms did come on rather quickly...as in, they just started today. Normally, this wouldn't bother me much, but I already have a very high intolerance to coldness and the chills are torturous. Thankfully I have a three-day weekend and I can sleep this off, but is there anything else I can do to help eliminate my symptoms?

I don't have a regular doctor where I attend college, so if I set up an appointment, I wouldn't get seen for three weeks anyway. And I know there's no medication that can cure the flu (since antibiotics can't hold a candle to the flu).

Sad part is, I was supposed to get the flu shot due to my current breathing problems...but it never happened. Any advice on how I can deal with this? Particularly staying extra warm in the face of these awful chills?

Soibhan · 01-10-2008, 09:29 PM

So sorry to hear of your suffering! I think you're simply going to have to treat the symptoms since the flu is a virus and there's not much you can do about a virus. Advil or tylenol will help the aches and chills, a cough medicine with dextromethorphan will settle your cough, and a good decongestant will relieve nasal symptoms. I'm assuming you are not sensitive or allergic to any of these medications.............if you are, you'll need to see a doctor or just tough it out. Hot tea with honey and/or hot chicken broth will help your chest and Vicks on your chest will clear your chest and head. Just please be sure you don't overdose yourself--for example if you take a cough medicine, don't take a multi-symptom cold remedy that relieves cough. That's why I choose to treat each symptom individually. Good luck to you, take care of yourself, and you should feel better in a few days.
Soibhan

Dark Stranger · 01-12-2008, 07:56 AM

I've been taking Tylenol for congestion for the last day and I feel somewhat better - the chills have gone down, I'm not all that lethargic and my fever is slowly going away. The only thing that really has not improved in my sore throat, but I can deal with that. And I stay away from Chloraseptic because I get nervous feeling like I cannot swallow.

My doctor called in a prescription for Zithromax (an antibiotic) and said to take it to cure my flu. Any doctor who has spent more than a day in medical school would know that antibiotics do NOT cure the flu or any other viruses, and it scares me to think that I know more about health problems than my doctor. Besides that, Zithromax completely makes my appetite disappear (which, I have read, is a sign that it may be causing me liver damage and I should immediately stop taking it).

Soibhan · 01-12-2008, 08:23 PM

Perhaps if your throat is still sore, your doctor is suspecting strep and that's why he/she prescribed Zithromax? I do know that antibiotics can zap your appetite, but you could try eating some yogurt at least once per day. If you're worried about liver damage, you need to call your doctor. Unless you're having severe symptoms, I'd keep taking the Zithromax until you've spoken with your doctor. Starting and stopping an antibiotic is what creates the 'superbugs' we keep hearing about. Hope you feel better soon!
Soibhan

Dark Stranger · 01-13-2008, 10:59 AM

I haven't begun taking the antibiotics yet, so I'm not stopping them halfway through (no worries there). Is it even possible for stre to develop from the flu?

I have had strep before, and this sore throat is nothing compared to when I did have strep. I don't feel like I want to shoot myself whenever I swallow, and I don't have the ugly white patches all over my tonsils. Also, I've found a home remedy that seems to help ease the pain, and I don't think strep would respond to a DIY cure.

Thanks again for the help.