6 Things You Shouldn't Do When You Have the Flu
Feb 13, 2023
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No matter how frequently you go to the gym, what kind of diet you're on right now, or how many vitamins you take, you will get sick one way or another. It's inevitable since we're not immune to every strain of the flu. Having the flu isn't all that bad from a healthy person's perspective.
Your body is aching; you can't move that much, a headache for some people, and you miss a few days of work or school. However, for high risk people out there, like older adults, babies, or people with a very weak immune system, having flu can go from being not too good to being fatal. However, immune-compromised or healthy, there are things that you shouldn't do when you have the flu.
It also doesn't mean that you should treat the flu nonchalantly as even healthy people get killed by the flu every year, and the number might surprise. With all that said, here is something that you should never do when you have the flu.
Don't Load Up on Medicines
This might seem counterintuitive for some but loading up on meds can do more harm than good to your body. Yes, we know that your work or school is important, but your health is much more important to you.
If you think you're going to get sick or are already in bed sick, don't try to load up on meds as fast as you can. Your meds might have a chemical reaction that your body can't take, further exacerbating your symptoms.
Don't Snuggle
This might sound obvious to you, but you'd be surprised how many still do this despite the risks. When you have the flu, you'd be experiencing extreme cold and shivering that you just want to put on layers of clothes and blankets for the night.
Unfortunately, other people snuggle up to their partners to stay warm. While that may sound sweet, it exposes your partner to risks of infection. Your partner shouldn't even be in the room with you.
Not Washing Your Hands
As kids, we were taught to always wash our hands before eating, holding a baby, or performing an experiment at school. However, the majority of people don't do this. Sure, it may not be dangerous most of the time, but when you're sick and don't wash your hands, you might be responsible for someone else in your household getting sick.
When you're sick, it's more important to wash your hands because the virus is currently on you, and by washing your hands, you're washing away the virus. Always wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap.
Not Getting Enough Sleep
Do you know that enough quality sleep can do wonders about our immune system? Your immune system gets a boost with enough sleep, which makes it stronger and will make us less likely to catch the flu or further exacerbate it when you have it. When you're sick, you'd have this tendency to watch a movie and eat popcorn while snuggled inside a warm and comfy blanket. And while that sounds nice, please do it during the day.
Not getting enough sleep can further worsen your flu and even make it more fatal. Also, when you sleep, your body recovers, so if you don't, your body won't have time to mount a defense. That said, always prioritize sleep, whether you're sick or not.
Don't Try to Break the Fever with a Cold Shower
Sometimes, when we get sick with the flu, we're tempted to take a bath because we feel icky and dirty for not taking a bath for a few days. While taking a bath while sick is not a bad thing per se, you should do it with a lukewarm one.
A parent or a grandparent may have told you that one way to break a fever is through a cold shower. However, it does the opposite. A cold shower will spike your temperature, creating more complications to your condition. Doctors recommend having a lukewarm shower whenever you feel like bathing when sick.
Thinking that It's Too Late for Antiviral Meds
When you're sick, it's always advisable to immediately drink antiviral meds like Xofluza. However, it's not too late if you miss it on the first day. Antivirals work best if you take them two days after you get sick. It depends on people, of course, but two days after getting sick is the most optimal for the majority.
Final Words
Whether you're healthy or immune-compromised, there are things that you shouldn't do when you have the flu. If you want to get better as soon as possible, you might want to avoid the things we discussed. However, consulting your doctor is still best, and you should do so when you get sick.
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