Nobody likes pain. Nasal congestion, itchy throat, fever, vomiting, and flu can hinder daily activities. Since there's really no cure for colds or flu, you need to be able to survive the illness. Generally, pain from the flu or fever will last for 3-10 days. However, with proper treatment, you will be able to return to your activities quickly.
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Method 1 of 4: Preventing More Pain
Step 1. Ask permission from work or school
With work or school, you may feel more sick, and your friends may catch it. Stay home, and take care of yourself so you can get back to work soon. Remember that the disease will be more easily transmitted at the beginning of the attack. For example, if you have a fever, it will be more contagious 3-5 days after the initial attack.
Step 2. Get enough sleep
Sleep is one of the main medicines for the body. When you feel sick, your body needs energy to fight germs, and one way to get the energy it needs is by sleeping.
Step 3. Avoid strenuous physical activity
Exercising when you're sick won't do you any good, even if you usually exercise every day. In fact, exercising when you're sick can make you tired more easily, and possibly cause breathing or digestive problems.
Step 4. Wash your hands frequently to prevent the growth of germs
By washing your hands, the bacteria on your hands will be gone. Wash your hands with warm water, and scrub your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds.
Method 2 of 4: Speeding Up Healing at Home
Step 1. Find out if you have a cold or flu
By knowing the disease you are suffering from, you can know the steps that must be taken to heal yourself. Symptoms of fever are generally centered in the head, namely coughing, sneezing, and nasal congestion, while flu symptoms can attack the whole body. Generally, flu symptoms include headache, muscle aches, fever and chills, and vomiting. However, you may not experience all of these symptoms. Usually, the flu makes you suffer more than a fever.
Step 2. Take care of your water intake
Sometimes, the infection in the body will go away just by drinking enough water. You are advised to drink water, but you can consume any drink, according to taste. Try drinking a large glass of water every two hours. Or, you may want to try drinking a drink with electrolytes, such as Pocari Sweat. Drinks with electrolytes are highly recommended if you have diarrhea or vomiting.
Step 3. Drink hot tea
Hot tea can ease breathing and relieve a sore throat, especially when you have a fever. Tea also contains theophylline, which can help clear the lungs and reduce phlegm. Drink any tea, with honey if you have it. Honey will help strengthen the throat and ease the pain.
Step 4. Eat healthy foods
If you still have an appetite, eat whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean meats. Although fast food sounds delicious, it won't make you healthy. Choose healthy foods that match your symptoms.
- If you have a sore throat, eat soft foods, such as mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, or chowder.
- Eat calcium-rich foods, such as green vegetables, yogurt, and avocados, to treat muscle pain.
- Drink enough water if you have a headache. Sometimes, a little caffeine, such as in coffee or tea, can help relieve a headache, but make sure you drink water after consuming caffeine.
- Make golden milk to treat digestive problems. Boil two cups of coconut milk, one tsp of ginger, one tsp of turmeric, and a little black pepper. After boiling, wait 10 minutes before drinking. Turmeric can relieve inflammation, and this golden milk concoction is a great way to consume turmeric.
- Eat chicken soup. Chicken soup can help fight fever. In addition to increasing endurance and helping to thin phlegm, chicken soup can also increase the intake of electrolytes and vitamins in the body, depending on the ingredients used.
Step 5. Take a warm bath
Warm water can help loosen phlegm. In addition, water can also refresh the skin and remove bacteria that accumulate when you are sick.
Step 6. Gargle to reduce sore throat
Use hot water and salt, and add a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide if available. You can also gargle with 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide at room temperature. Hydrogen peroxide, either diluted or used as a direct gargle, is very effective at diluting phlegm.
Method 3 of 4: Buying Medicines at the Pharmacy
Step 1. Buy cold or flu medicine
Find a medication that matches your symptoms. For example, buy cough medicine if you have a cough, or pain/fever reliever (such as aspirin or paracetamol) if you have a high temperature. Cough medicines such as OBH Combi can be used to relieve coughs. Treat nasal congestion with guaifenesin and pseudoephedrine. If in doubt, ask the pharmacy staff for help.
Step 2. Use a saline spray, or other product that can be purchased at a drugstore, to clear the respiratory tract and remove phlegm
You may find it uncomfortable to use respiratory cleaning products (you have to pour the saline solution into one line, and expel it in the other), but they are generally helpful. Make sure you use purified or boiled water, instead of tap water, when making the saline solution.
Step 3. Eat lozenges
The active ingredients in this candy will help you clear your throat and reduce coughing, so your throat will feel more comfortable. Read the instructions for use on the product packaging, and don't eat too much candy even if the candy tastes delicious.
Method 4 of 4: Asking a Doctor for Help
Step 1. Call your doctor for more pain relief tips
Talking to a nurse or other professional medical practitioner can help you determine the course of healing. A medical practitioner can also suggest, or even prescribe, certain medications for you.
Step 2. See your doctor if you have severe flu symptoms, or if your fever doesn't go down
Do not delay going to the doctor if your temperature reaches 38.3°C, you experience chills to the point of chills, cannot digest food or drink, or are vomiting blood. These symptoms require you to receive medical help that is not available at home.
Step 3. Follow the advice of your doctor or other medical professional
Redeem prescription drugs given by the doctor, and take medication according to the dose given. If your doctor asks for a follow-up visit, schedule the visit. Even if you feel better and don't need any more medication, trust that your doctor recommends a follow-up visit for some reason. Don't cheat on your healing.
