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How long does the flu last? symptoms and prevention

by Alivia Nyhan
Published: Last Updated on

We have all had the flu more than once in our lives, but you have surely noticed that there are flu that heal very quickly and others that have the power to cause so much discomfort as to send you to bed for several days. Why? There are many factors that intervene in the duration and intensity of the flu, such as the state of our immune system and our age. If you are currently contaminated with this viral disease and cannot wait to get rid of all its symptoms, we invite you to continue reading this article by FastlyHealso that you know how long the flu lasts and be more clear about how far or close you are from feeling well.

How long does the flu last?

To understand how long the flu lasts, it is important to understand that not all flu is the same and that its intensity and duration depend entirely on:

  • The strain of virus that caused it
  • The person’s health conditions
  • Age
  • The state of the immune system at the time of infection.

Generally, the flu usually lasts 7-10 days from when symptoms appear until a person fully recovers. However, there are always exceptions or people who are more affected than others by the presence of this viral picture. For example, young adults, who have a stronger immune system, tend to come out of the flu quickly, while older people can see their health seriously compromised by this viral disease. In conclusion, how long the flu lasts depends a lot on the conditions of the person who has it and their medical history.

Few people know that there are no medicines to shorten the time that the flu lasts, all the medicines we consume when we are affected by this disease work in the body to improve flu symptoms and strengthen the immune system so that it can fight the virus effectively. Therefore, once the contagion has occurred there is no way to stop the development of the disease, it is best to take all the necessary measures so that its passage through our body is as light as possible.

How to relieve flu symptoms

Given that this viral illness can sometimes incapacitate us without knowing for sure for how long, it is necessary to know how to alleviate flu symptoms in order to feel better while we fully recover. Nasal congestion, cough, phlegm and body weakness can be very annoying, for this reason we offer you some tips to make your discomfort more bearable:

Rest a lot and not so much

Rest is necessary for a good recovery, however, there are those who do not want to get out of bed when they have the flu and there are those who never want to go inside. It is important to be aware that our body is weak and that it deserves to rest to fight the virus correctly. However, do not overdo it, lying in bed all day without any activity or mobility will only make the discomfort worse.

Hydration is key

The more water and fluids you ingest, the easier your body will detoxify from the virus that stalks it. Hydration promotes the elimination of toxins through the urine and helps your immune system not work in a forced way.

Get vitamin C

It is the best vitamin to fight flu symptoms because it has an antioxidant effect on the body that increases defenses and allows the immune system to work more efficiently. Vitamin C can be found in kiwi, lemon, orange, grapefruit and red peppers in the following article may find foods rich in vitamin C .

Chicken soup

They say that when the flu lurks, the chicken broth won’t let it go. It is not a lie, the grandmothers were right, the chicken broth fights the cold. Chicken soup helps the body control the activity of neutrophil cells, which increase their amount in the blood when the body has contracted an infection. In addition, the hot temperature of the chicken soup will help ease the discomfort of irritation in the throat and cause a decongestant effect on your nose.

Treat cough

One of the most annoying symptoms of the flu is a cough, which is worse at night and interrupts our rest. In addition to taking your syrup, we invite you to know some home remedies for phlegm in the lungs that will help you expel all the mucus from your airways and provide relief from coughing.

How to prevent the flu

The flu is a highly contagious disease that we acquire when we inhale drops from the sneeze or saliva of a person contaminated with any of the influeza viruses. Symptoms usually appear the day after the infection occurred and once they are present there is little we can do to avoid it. However, the flu can be prevented and here we tell you how:

  • Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables to get all the vitamins and nutrients you need to keep your immune system healthy.
  • Foods rich in antioxidants such as berries help boost the body’s defenses so that it is easier to fight viruses and bacteria.
  • There is what we know as seasonal flu, the one that is more frequent in winter and fall. Wrapping up warm during these seasons is vital to preventing the flu.
  • Do not share your personal items with anyone.
  • Always keep your hands clean and take an antibacterial soap with you.
  • Avoid crowded places during fall and winter.
  • The flu vaccine is an excellent choice for the elderly, children, pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems, and healthcare personnel.

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to How long does the flu last , we recommend that you enter our Lung and respiratory tract category .

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