Caught The Flu Bug? Here’s What To Do!

It seems like the flu is spreading so here’s what we can do to make it stop and keep our families healthy!

With the volatile weather in the Philippines and the constant pouring of rain, it’s left many of our family members (us included) vulnerable to the Flu! Usually, we’d just pop a paracetamol or an antiviral and be on our merry way. But there are cases we can’t just take any medicines. Many of us are still breastfeeding, others are allergic to the medicine, and some just don’t have the luxury of time to lie down and rest. But we have to stop the infection here and now before it takes the rest of the family!

1. Make food your medicine

Garlic, black pepper, cayenne pepper, ginger, turmeric, salt, and onion — these are the basic ingredients to make any soup the ultimate Flu buster. Garlic has antimicrobial properties with the various peppers and gingers generating enough heat in our bodies to sweat out the infection. Salt keeps us hydrated and also has some anti-bacterial properties while onion makes the soup a bit sweet.

Plus, the Flu’s probably messing up our tastebuds so having a peppery soup does the trick. To make it go down easier, we suggest boiling some chicken, noodles, carrots, and leek to make that delicious Chicken soup. This is also the perfect excuse to eat a lot of spicy soups like Laksa and Tom Yum Soup.

2. Take warm baths

Warm baths help ease the muscle pain that some of us get when we come down with the Flu. It also wakes us up so our bodies have the energy to move around and do the bare minimum. Plus, massaging the shampoo into our hair helps soothe that pounding headache while leaving us with a more light-headed feeling instead of a heavy one.

3. Wear masks

We thought we were free from it when the pandemic ended but, the Flu is just as bad as COVID-19. But this time, we’re more prepared for it. The Flu’s particle size is similar to COVID-19’s at 80 to 100 micrometers and is airborne which is why we need masks to keep the infection at bay.

4. Only take antibiotics after consulting your doctor

A lot of us like to self-medicate with whatever remaining antibiotics we have at home because medical consultations are expensive. But there’s a risk of becoming immune to the antibiotics because we need to continue the cycle for 7 days, every eight hours, and if we run out, we need a prescription. For those who are working, remember that there are HMOs that we can use to pay for our consultations. Some of them even offer teleconsultation!

The Flu also leaves us susceptible to more disastrous diseases like pneumonia.

5. Make sure your Flu vaccines are updated!

Influenza is one of those viruses that need annual vaccines because of how fast it mutates. There are so many variants of the Flu that the Center for Contagious Diseases (CDC) often collaborates with various pharmacies to administer these vaccines for free. Some Watsons branches roll out these vaccines but people can also inquire in their local barangays. Most especially when the LGU is aware that many of their residents are senior citizens, they’ll most likely make it available.

6. Stock up on some decongestants

Decolgen and Salinase are usually the two we use to unclog our noses. Some of us who have asthma or other allergies rely heavily on these alongside our anti-histamines because it’s hard to breathe with runny noses. The decongestants may not be a direct cure but, they make the mucus easier to blow out and rid our body of the Flu bug.

7. Stay at home if you have it!

Knowing how contagious the Flu is, best to stay at home if we have it! Going out means exposing ourselves to other people who may or may not have a weak immune system. With our own weakened immune system, we don’t know what else we may get. Especially with the smog coming out from volcanos and many pollutants, we shouldn’t give ourselves or our families a reason to book a trip to the hospital!

Beating the Flu: “Starve a fever, feed a cold”

Since the Flu usually shows itself as a fever and cold, the adage applies: starving the fever and feeding the cold by taking in food that heats up our bodies enough to fight off the illness. Although we moms rarely take sick days, these are things we can apply to our routines while we’re sick especially because we know that the house can’t run itself. We may hate lying in bed and taking a break like the workaholics we are but trust us, it’s hard work beating an infection.

More about beating a cold or fever?

A Rainy Day Remedy: Cozy Up With A Comforting Bowl of Mestizo Arroz Caldo
5 Kid-Friendly Flu Food Recipes You Can Whip Up
5 Easy Ways To Fight Against the Flu