What should we not do when we have the Flu?

Having the flu is not pleasant, however, as winter approaches,  we are more likely to get a cold. It is important to avoid those things that make the flu worse so that the recovery is as soon as possible.

The first step should always be prevention; this can be done through vaccination and knowing the warning signs of flu. It is very important to differentiate the symptoms of the flu with those of the common cold. The symptoms of the flu usually appear suddenly (even more than those of the common cold), and it is frequently accompanied by fever (> 38 Cº),  body pain, asthenia, cough and sore throat (odynophagia).

When you have flu, consume fluids in abundance is very important because it keeps you hydrated, also do not forget to rest, this way your body will be able to fight the infection.

Below are six things that we should avoid when we have the flu.

Over-exercise

If you have flu, you may be frustrated by reducing your daily activity. However, as it should be, rest properly is essential for a good recovery.

It is a popular belief that exercise, when you are sick, helps to eliminate toxins from the body and accelerate the recovery process, although a mild exercise can be beneficial, over-exercise can complicate the disease. It is important to remember that fever, a common symptom of the flu, can make you dehydrate faster, which will undoubtedly delay recovery.

Avoiding the doctor

Many people believe that only with consuming fluids and resting are guaranteed a quick recovery. However, there is much more to do to ensure that your flu does not get complicated. One of the most important things is to go to a doctor; a health professional can prescribe an antiviral treatment that speeds recovery. To improve the effectiveness of the treatment, these antivirals should be consumed within 24 hours after the onset of symptoms, therefore do not delay the consultation with your doctor.

Stressful situations

During the convalescence, your main priority is to recover, these days your body needs to rest and relax to be able to reincorporate into daily life as soon as possible.

Stay away from work, the stress inherent in work activities puts your recovery at risk and can even worsen the symptoms of the flu. Also if you go to work, you can infect your colleagues.

Smoking, or being surrounded by smokers

Smoking is never good for your health, but when you have flu, it's even worse. Cigarette smoke contains a large number of toxins that irritate the respiratory tract, worsening the symptoms of influenza. If you do not want a cough and sore throat, stay away from smoking.

Ignoring drink water

As mentioned above, drinking plenty of water is a key factor for your recovery, when you have the flu you are more likely to dehydrate, which will aggravate the symptoms of the flu and make you feel much worse. Therefore, even if you are not a big drinker of water, you should keep in mind that juices, soups, and Gatorade can be very useful.

Not receiving the flu vaccine

Many people believe that it is not worthwhile to get the flu vaccine because even if they do, they can get sick. However, it is important to mention that one of the benefits of receiving the vaccine is that in case of contracting the disease, the duration and intensity of the symptoms will be much lower.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends staying at home for at least 24 hours after your fever has disappeared. While making sure you recover from the flu quickly is important for your health, it is also an important way to protect others. In conclusion, stay hydrated, rest and stay away from bad habits. Your body and your loved ones will thank you.