Welcome to autumn—a favorite time of year for many of us. The temperature is cooling down, depending where you live, and outbreaks of colds and flu are starting, no matter where you live. Just curious: Which one of these does not sound like something you’d enjoy this fall?
- cozy fleece
- cider and football
- county fair
- cough and fever
If you picked “D,” you’re in luck! We have a checklist to help you stay healthy this flu season. Let’s get started with the basics:
- Colds and flu are viruses, which means they can’t be “cured”
- Antibiotics are not used to treat a virus
- Colds usually run their course and resolve on their own in seven to 10 days
- Getting a flu shot is the best way to help ward off the chances of catching the flu
Treating cold and flu
If you get either virus, over-the-counter antihistamines, decongestants, cough suppressants, and pain relievers can help ease symptoms such as:
- chest congestion
- cough
- headache, body aches
- nasal congestion
- runny nose
- sore throat
- fever (in case of the flu)
To clear your nose and help you breathe:
- blow your nose and then throw away the tissue each time
- avoid cigarette and vaping smoke
- squirt saline spray in your nose frequently
- sleep with a vaporizer if necessary
Within the first 24 hours after the onset of a cold, you can try taking zinc lozenges or syrup to shorten the duration if you’re otherwise healthy (be sure to clear this with your primary care physician first).*
How Teladoc can help
Not sure which illness is getting the best of you? Start your recovery with Teladoc. Our U.S. board-certified physicians are available 24/7 anywhere you are to help diagnose and make treatment recommendations for a wide variety of non-emergency conditions, including bronchitis, sinus infection, backache, everyday strains and sprains, and much more. Be sure you have the app so that you can request a visit and speak with the doctor without leaving the comfort of home or your office.
Here’s that checklist of tips to help you avoid getting sick this season. Stay well!
References
*http://snip.ly/6fi7i#https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-HealthProfessional/
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