I ahve had the flu for almost a week --is there anything I can do to speed recovery?

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I have been sick with the flu for almost a full week with no sign of improvement. I still have chills,fever,congestion and the worst cough you have ever heard. Sleep is almost impossible. I have taken 1 whole bottle of "nite-quil" and a bottle of 'day-quil' 2 pkgs of cough drops,more 'asprin'than I have ever taken, and have drank enough liquids to float a small tanker! Dr. gave me something for nausea but I still cough until I throw up! Any suggestion? Thanks for the help!

-- Debbie T in N.C. (rdtyner@mindspring.com), February 28, 2002

Answers

Jaggermeister does it for me.

-- Cabin Fever (cabinfever_mn@yahoo.com), February 28, 2002.

Cabin Fever--Tell me more please

-- Debbie T in N.C. (rdtyner@mindspring.com), February 28, 2002.

First of all Deb, my sympathies, having the flu is sheer misery.

Try some zinc lozenges with vitamin C, they're good for the throat, especially when it's sore.

Chicken soup, homemade. There were news articles a couple years ago that chicken soup actually does have some kind of enzyme in it that is helpful. If nothing else, it's good comfort food. With the nausea you won't want too many solids in it, but if you're up to cooking it, make a big potful, sip on the broth, you can freeze the rest of it for later.

Electric blankets are handy for when you have the chills, wrap yourself up in the warmth and get your body temp back up.

Another news item: the old saying "feed a cold and starve a fever" has some merit to it. Your body is telling you what it needs for recovery. Plenty of rest and fluids, keep sipping on liquids, so darned easy to get dehydrated during this time.

Hope you're feeling better soon!

-Chelsea, who is very thankful right now that her flu shot has warded off some nasty viruses that are going around.

-- Chelsea (rmbehr@istar.ca), February 28, 2002.


Sorry to hear you aren't well.

What liquids? Be sure to include water as the majority liquid.

Try 'Gypsy Cold Care' tea. Consider taking echinacea/goldenseal. Add a few pieces of ginger to your tea to calm your stomach or eat a piece of candied ginger. Not too much ginger ale as it has so much sugar that it may increase mucus.

Try a hot eucalyptus bath (a few drops of oil in the bath)to clear your head and comfort you. Put a few drops of eucalyptus oil on a tissue and inhale it. Rub a mentholated creme on your chest or back.

Heat water in a pot on the stove to boiling. Remove from stove. Add sage leaves. Make a tent with a towel and breathe in the vapors. Keep your face at least ten inches away from the heat! More if it is uncomfortable. Breathe this for 10 minutes.

Get out a hot water bottle to keep you company.

If this has truly been a week of such misery, I would go to the doctor, something I don't do lightly. But paying $50 to get back to work and feeling better is worth more than more lost work days. Sometimes it is appropriate for an antibiotic. Please consider going to your local "doctors on call".

-- Anne (HealthyTouch101@wildmail.com), February 28, 2002.


Ive been fighting some kind of bug for almost 2 weeks,, lots of OJ,, and vitamen C cough drops. Sleep like a log

-- Stan (sopal@net-port.com), February 28, 2002.


Sorry you aren't feeling well. I have often had the cough until you vomit thing if I get sick. A couple things have helped. 1. Ricola cough drops - original flavor. 2. Lemon/honey in hot water (a little ginger and cayanne might not hurt either) but this is just what has worked for me. Sure hope you feel better fast!

-- Trisha-MN (coldguinea@netscape.net), February 28, 2002.

Go to the doctor. If you have a cough to the point of throwing up; you do not have the flu. Cough is not a flu symptom. Flu is nausea, vomiting, diarrha, fever; all leading to dehydration. Cough and congestion are usually a sign of an upper respiratory infection, and possibly pneumonia. There is also a resugence of Pertussis (Whooping Cough) going around now. It's very contagious and it takes off the babies and the old folks pretty easily. Please go to the doctor and get treatment before you pass this on to someone who can't take it.

-- Polly >^..^< (tigger@moultrie.com), February 28, 2002.

Thanks to whoever it was about the euculputus oils. I too have been suffering from the flu into mid week two. I make soap and have all the essential oils one could want. I need to read on their homeopathic qualities. I sell that particular soap to a asthmatic person and my daughter uses it for the same thing. Didn't know if it really worked or not. Going right now to try. Well, after checking the lambing barn, moms are due all over the place and I just want to go to sleep. Good luck with your flue. Debbie

-- debbie (bwolcott@cwis.net), February 28, 2002.

Sounds like you've already been to your doctor so unless you've got some new symptomology that you didn't have when you saw him last he's probably not going to be able to help you much with this.

The sad fact is that for a virus there's little you can do other than treat the symptoms. Sleep and LOTS of it seems to work better than anything then keeping yourself hydrated with whatever liquid you can tolerate, preferably hot liquids.

.......Alan.

-- Alan (athagan@atlantic.net), February 28, 2002.


Debbie, please be careful, a friend of ours had the flu last month, lots of coughing and chest congestion. She refused to go to the doctor thinking she could handle it. The worse thing in the world happened, it developed into pneumonia and she died. (she was in her 30's) This happened within a 2 week period. Please go get checked, the doctor will at least be able to give you something for your cough and congestion. Best wishes!

-- cowgirlone in OK (cowgirlone47@hotmail.com), February 28, 2002.


Jagermeister is an Old World therapeutic elixir that has been made for hundreds of years in Germany. It is a secret blend of more than 50 organic herbs, roots, spices and essential oils. Saint Hubertus, who is the Patron Saints of Hunters, founded this organic, natural remedy. It can be drank or used in aromatherapy.



-- Cabin Fever (cabinfever_mn@yahoo.com), February 28, 2002.

Sorry, Alan, and Debbie - I still live in a small enough town that you can get a script without physically going to the doc so I guess I didn't catch that you had actually already been to the doctor. I still would go see him again; and I stand by my statement that cough and congestion are not a part of the flu. Coughing to the point of vomiting, or coughing and being unable to catch your breath is one of the cardinal signs of Whooping Cough. Further, if you did have a version of the flu, it could have weakened your immune system to the point that another infectious agent; possibly bacterial this time, moved in and is causing your respiratory symptoms. The hospital where I work is full of pnuemonia and URIs right now - three days in the hospital with IV antibiotics can easily set you back $5000 - or more. Please go back and see the doctor again. (If you're coughing something up, spit it into a baggie and take it with you.)

-- Polly (tigger@moultrie.com), February 28, 2002.

Debbie, Welcome to the club. I have not felt good for 3 weeks. The flu has been making it round through our family. Everyone has had something. My wife had severe head cold, my son nausea, I have had the cough. My cough sounds like yours. What I have been doing for the cough is using honey. Warm up some honey and drink a couple of shots. That an nitequil has been letting me sleep a little. You can also sleep in a chair to help as well. I am off from work today and have another DR appt later today. Hopefully he can help some as well.

-- Gary (gws@columbus.rr.com), February 28, 2002.

I am with Polly on this!!!! See a doctor........like NOW.

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), February 28, 2002.

ossicillium from the health food store may do it.

-- js (schlicker54@aol.com), February 28, 2002.


i forgot to mention garlic. cut up fine clove. not the whole bulb and drink in warm water. garlic will kill flu virus. it was used in the epidemic of l918 when lots of americans died.

-- js (schlicker54@aol.com), February 28, 2002.

Apologies to Polly, but she has it backwards. Influenza is a respiratory illness. Vomiting and diahrrea are secondary to the actual flu. I am a degreed professional in the Clinical Laboratory, and we have been overrun with Influenza A and B tests. The specimen? A swab of the nasopharyx.

-- Debbie in MO (risingwind@socket.net), February 28, 2002.

CDC:

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/flu/fluinfo.htm

-- MartyB (boraas@miliserv.net), February 28, 2002.


I'll stand corrected, and bow to your greater area of expertise. I was just reading and relating information from a handout from a recent staff meeting titled "Is it a cold, or is it the Flu?" I will be sure to bring this information to the attention of our staff.

Either way, she still needs to be seen by a physiscian for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

-- Polly (tigger@moultrie.com), February 28, 2002.


Go to the doctor!

-- Ardie/WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), February 28, 2002.

Rest, at night prop yourself up with pillows, humidifier.

If I get really sick, I always get the cough. I usually sleep on the couch with pillows and this really helps.

-- DW (djwallace@sotc.net), February 28, 2002.


Flu is a virus, antibiotics have no affect on virus but would prevent secondary infection.........if you are coughing up colored stuff it has gone past the flu and probably needs an antibiotic.

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), February 28, 2002.

Astragalus root capsules are a proven (at least in China where it has been used as an anti-viral agent for over a thousand years) anti- viral agent that boosts production of your own killer T cells that fight off viruses, and it has no known side effects. Available at most all discount stores and all health food stores or from Frontier Herb Co-op, (see archives to become a member of Frontier Herb Co-op).

I use astragalus root at the first sign of a viral infection, like the cold or cough or bronchitis, works extremely well for me, matter of fact I take it twice daily all fall and winter to help prevent viral infections.

Licorice root capsules are the best herbal remedy for coughing and bronchitis, take as directed on the label, usually two to three capsules (depends on your weight) three to four times a day. Licorice is a natural expectorant that allows you to produce mucus that can be brought up without gagging on and expelled. You have to be able to get that crud up out of your lungs to get better.

Stay away from all OTC remedies that contain ephenephrine (and sudeoephinephrine) type ingredients, these dry out your bronchial secretions and make your cough worse! Also avoid all aspirin and OTC painkillers completely!!! They all depress your immune system that is already in overdrive (or should be) trying to fight the viruses, your taking the painkillers just further complicates your fighting off the virus itself.

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), February 28, 2002.


I am just recovering from pneumonia, I thought it was influenza so stayed at home thinking there was nothing the dr could do anyway. I almost ended up being admitted, and became very ill!. Please be careful.

-- Terri in NS (terri@tallships.ca), February 28, 2002.

Doesn't that sound like the old childhood disease "whooping cough"? Even as old as I am, I distinctly remember having it, coughing until I vomited.

I LOVED the Jaegermeister remedy! An old friend from Latvia recommends it, too!

-- Bonnie (51940@aeroinc.net), February 28, 2002.


This is a strange virus!I saw a ear/nose/throat Dr. yestrday--he says it's the flu! My husband came down with it yesterday and today our male dachshund has swollen throat and is throwing up???? I will call tomorrow for a second opinion. I feel like my entire house has is one big germ!!! I want to open all my windows and air it out but it is way too cold!

-- Debbie T in N.C. (rdtyner@mindspring.com), February 28, 2002.

Where do you buy Jaegermeister??

-- HV (veggie@ourplace.com), February 28, 2002.

My whole family has got the ugly stuff bad. The doctor has put half of us on antibiotics and inhalers. Our 7 year old nephew has now been diagnosed with pnewmonia and admitted into the hospital. So if you have a real bad cough you better go back to the doctor for another check up.

-- r.h. in okla. (rhays@sstelco.com), February 28, 2002.

I didn't realize the bug going around was so wide spread. A couple of men from our church were hospitalized due to it. I guess I lucked out when I got it. Being an old time herb and vitamin freak I'll pass on some of our home remedies that should at least make you more comfortable. A heating pad or hot water bottle placed on the chest and alternated to the back will help loosen congestion. Chamomile tea also helps with the respiratory thing and helps you to relax. Simmer one or two chopped up cloves of garlic with a dash of dried hot peppers in a couple cups of chicken broth for about ten minutes. If you drink down a big mug of this every 4-6 hours you'll be amazed at the difference by the next day. Get lots of sleep. Take advantage of the down time. Read, listen to soft music and dont't forget to whine and complain, It purges the system. Nothing speeds recovery like having your wife and children wait on you for a couple days. Works for me.

-- JJ Grandits (JJGBDF@aol.com), February 28, 2002.

I've only seen the Jagger.... stuff at a liquor store.

-- Anne (HealthyTouch101@wildmail.com), March 01, 2002.

Please, please, please go to the doctor. I had the same symptoms. I FINALLY went to the doctor and I had Whooping Cough! Not much can be done for that, BUT you can get secondary infections (like pneumonia and bronchitis). I had pneumonia. It has taken me weeks to get over it. I still tire easily. The doctor told me my childhood vaccination had worn off. Feel better.

-- Gayle Smith (gayleannesmith@yahoo.com), March 01, 2002.

I am SO.O.O. impressed with the people on this forum!!! I am really new to this sort of thing, and also had some wonderful responses to my queries. The above advice was great. I am very much "into" natural remedies,when applicable, and saw some really good suggestions for cold and flu. Garlic, echinacea, gingerroot, etc are all things that I use regularly with my family too. I haven't tried the hot water bottle, but I will now. That German preparation sounds interesting too, I'll have to wite the name down and see if I can get it in Canada.

I hope that all the suggestions passed on to you were helpful.

Best wishes, Judy

-- Judy Hill (hillsacres@sk.sympatico.ca), March 02, 2002.


elderberry -zinc lozenges - colloidal silver -or maybe oregano oil.

-- Elizabeth Quintana (rockshelter@webtv.com), March 02, 2002.

I agree with the others about seeing a doctor, if it feels beyond your control, as it is by the sounds of it. Elizabeth Quintana's suggestions are right on the money, particularly colloidal silver. You might also try an inhalant of steam to help break up the lung mucous, adding eucalyptus, or sage to this will help disinfect the lungs. You might try swedish bitters from a pharmacy to help with this, internally, and externally on irritated areas.

Judy; Jaggermeister is available in Canada, in the liquor store.

-- roberto pokachinni (pokachinni@yahoo.com), March 04, 2002.


Echinchea, zinc 3 times a day (not to exceed 90 mg), vitamin C (1000mg 3 times a day), vitamin E (400 mg 2 times a day for 3 days) and 3 garlic (odorless - not Sundown or Springvalley) pills 3 times a day - for adults. Nature's Sunshine herbs has naturual antibotics besides garlic too. Also, they have a combination herb called ALJ that will clean your cough and congestion up; the herb(s) are recommended by a lot of doctors in Europe. Nature's Sunshine is on line; they will deliver by UPS. Prayer helps too!!

-- R in Ga (rrebekah14@aol.com), March 04, 2002.

Jaegermister smells like/looks like/ probably tastes like Vicks cough syrup. In my opinion-gross. There is a beer--a meal in a can I call it, that is actually subscribed in European countries for colds and flu. Guiness. It is suppose to have a lot of great enzymes, etc. But, alcohol and sugar depresses the immune system.

My husband went to the doctor and was diagnosed with "the flu that hit our town" (in OK) and that the shot didn't cover. He was given something to help with the symptoms and a Z-pak.

I am now aggressively giving my children and myself cold pressed herbs from Trilight Herbs www.trilightherbs.com I really have liked the products and am glad that I had something on hand called "Flew Away". It contains boneset which is also prescribed in other countries for flu. I didn't really think that I would ever need it because of the flu shots which we always get.

I boiled a handfull of chamomile and thyme (I had on hand) in cheesecloth and added them to a tepid bath for my well oiled up (olive oil, shortening and tea tree oil and lavendar) apple cheeked 3 year old who was on his 15th hour of fever. I massaged him and made him comfortable in there for 20 minutes. He didn't like it while in there, but said that next time he's sick, he must have an herbal bath because he felt a lot better.

Pertussis is definitely a consideration (whooping cough). A sputum culture will determine that.

Thank you for clearing up the digestive ailments NOT being part of the flu. That is a very common misunderstanding. I didn't know until this week that cough was part of it! I always knew--fever, headache, sore throat and achiness.

I highly recommend "Mommy Diagnostics" by Shonda Parker to homestead moms and wives.

She tells a lot about how to prepare your tinctures, etc. I think that Trilight carries the book. She also has pregnancy books.

So sorry about the friend who died from pneumonia in OK.

Ultimately, God is my healer. I just am learning to pray for discernment on when He wants me to use what He gave me out in the country and between my ears, or go to a "professional"

Vanessa

-- Vanessa Wergin (wergin@cowboy.net), March 06, 2002.


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