# Flu, how to do it **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** movies, covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [March 11, 2025, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flu-how-to-do-it/1015419 "2025-03-11T04:43:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2025, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flu-how-to-do-it/1015419/1 "2025-03-11T04:43:22Z")
Need help two major things: how do I clear my nose out so I can breath, & how do I sit up in terms of posture, not greatness. I am 58, and to my knowledge, have never had flu before. So I need shortcuts om all the comforting 'pm stuff, because looking better PM was bad last night. Got to sleep finally with AC on-- as soon as i was in oiublar the Nn=finger ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2025, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flu-how-to-do-it/1015419/2 "2025-03-11T05:05:14Z")
Theraflu, neti pot, and bourbon hot toddys (sans liquor if you don’t do that). Ginger ale and any broth you can keep down for energy, and comfort entertainments and as much sleep as you can manage. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Banksiaman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banksiaman/32/3334_2.png) [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2025, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flu-how-to-do-it/1015419/3 "2025-03-11T05:35:57Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > pot, and bourbon hot toddys (sans liquor if you don’t do that). Ginger ale and any broth you can keep down for energy, and comfort entertainments and as much sleep as you can manage. > > Stranger Lemsip [a powdered paracetemol(?) with a lemony vibe], honey and brandy, and more fresh lemon is good - not sure it cures anything but you will be beyond caring after a while. If not broths, then miso or pot noodles have the slippery, insubstantial feel that helps you get food down. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2025, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flu-how-to-do-it/1015419/4 "2025-03-11T05:37:02Z")
Call the doc. Ask if you can use a nasal spray. Steam. Humidity. My bunch likes the alkaseltzer severe night time. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2025, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flu-how-to-do-it/1015419/5 "2025-03-11T05:40:06Z")
I am sorry you are feeling so poorly. In addition to the good advice you’ve already received, I hope you will let your PCP know how you’re suffering. They will want to keep track of how you’re doing and they might have some other good pointers for how to get through it. Lots of liquids and lots of rest, is what I’ve always heard are best remedies for flu. May it pass quickly for you. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2025, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flu-how-to-do-it/1015419/6 "2025-03-11T06:52:42Z")
Call your dr and ask for Tamiflu if you’ve had a positive test for Flu A or B. Both my SiL (42) and my 7 year grand daughter got flu last month and improved rapidly after 24 hours of Tamiflu. Otherwise, rest, fluids, Tylenol for fevers and comfort. If you didn’t have to show your drivers license to the pharmacist when you bought your decongestant or cold and flu medicine (pseudoephedrine/Sudafed), what you bought won’t help your nose but will lighten your wallet. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2025, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flu-how-to-do-it/1015419/7 "2025-03-11T09:44:39Z")
By happenstance I had my quarterly well-baby visit with my PCP yesterday. Turns out I’m still well. She said that there are several nasty respiratory diseases running around. Including coronaviruses that are NOT a version of COVID. She’s not a gerontologist, but her patient base is about like the Dope: retired or getting close. She mentioned that 100% of her hospitalizations this year, so 2+months have been for severe respiratory infection / distress / pneumonia. Including 2 patients in the ICU and 1 now in the morgue. If the OP has not been tested, they don’t in fact know they have “the flu” as opposed to one of these other more … interesting … infections. Mostly viral, some bacterial. The treatment options vary at least some based on which nasty has taken up residence and is now trying too hard to kill its new home. With all that background, my advice to the OP is 1) take this real serious, 2) get tested to find out whatever it is, 3) take this real serious. Good luck; hope you get both relief and cure soon. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2025, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flu-how-to-do-it/1015419/8 "2025-03-11T13:17:56Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > If the OP has not been tested, they don’t in fact know they have “the flu” as opposed to one of these other more … interesting … infections. Mostly viral, some bacterial. The treatment options vary at least some based on which nasty has taken up residence and is now trying too hard to kill its new home. > > With all that background, my advice to the OP is 1) take this real serious, 2) get tested to find out whatever it is, 3) take this real serious. This cranky old night nurse approves of this message. I wish I’d said that. And while you’re at it, get all up to date on your vaccines-Covid (two this season if you are 65 yo or older), RSV if you’re 60 or older). ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2025, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flu-how-to-do-it/1015419/9 "2025-03-11T13:50:19Z")
> [@Banksiaman](#): > > Lemsip [a powdered paracetemol(?) with a lemony vibe], honey and brandy Never mix paracetemol (Acetominophen) and alcohol. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2025, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flu-how-to-do-it/1015419/10 "2025-03-11T14:34:29Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Ask if you can use a nasal spray. This; but try using it only at night, when not being able to breathe through your nose can disrupt your sleep. In the daytime, steam and hot drinks and breathe through your mouth as needed. If you save the spray for nighttime only you can use it for a couple of extra days if needed without bringing on a backfire effect in which the spray itself increases clogging. > [@LSLGuy](#): > > If the OP has not been tested, they don’t in fact know they have “the flu” as opposed to one of these other more … interesting … infections. A good point. Talk to your doctor. Even if it is flu – flu can be dangerous. Maybe you’re not at much risk; but talk to the doctor anyway. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2025, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flu-how-to-do-it/1015419/11 "2025-03-11T15:00:38Z")
Feeling better, and thanks for the advice. As you can see, I couldn’t even put together a coherent sentence 36 hours ago. I was tested, and it was flu A. I work with little kids, and get exposed to strep all the time, and it happens that I was recently exposed to someone who shortly after was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. I get the sniffles from the kids all the time, and they never last more than 24 hours, nor require more than OTC meds. So when this dragged through the weekend, getting _worse_, I got worried, and went to one of those urgent care clinics. They tested me for strep, COVID & both flus, and did a screen for meningitis, with the caveat that it’s not really their provenance. They did give me things to keep checking, like neck pain, headache and temp, and said to go to the ER if they worsened. They didn’t worsen. Mostly I’ve been sleeping. I go back to work tomorrow. Yesterday was a weird, fractured day of hallucinations, and waking up with the clock reading 3:30, and not knowing whether it was AM or PM. Today has been a few naps, and a lot of Britbox. And some laundry. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2025, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flu-how-to-do-it/1015419/12 "2025-03-11T17:49:18Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > Yesterday was a weird, fractured day of hallucinations, and waking up with the clock reading 3:30, and not knowing whether it was AM or PM I had a routine doc visit last week Monday morning and I cheerfully demanded all the shots coming to me: flu, Covid & Hep B (second of two). By 2pm, I could feel the undeniable precursors of fever but that’s typical after a vax, usually it tapers to nothing. By 7pm, I could hardly operate my phone to msg my boss, the chills were so intense. Then, what felt like a fitful 49 hours till daybreak: nightmares, hearing things, chills, sweats, muscle aches (left inject arm, especially), joints throbbing, sore throat, complete lack of appetite, thirst, motivation. No congestion, though! I woke up at 3:30 Tuesday afternoon, thirsty again and felt like I’d been away for a week. Weird 30 hours, full brain fever tripping. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2025, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flu-how-to-do-it/1015419/13 "2025-03-13T13:03:37Z")
> [@Banksiaman](#): > > Lemsip [a powdered paracetemol I tend to get the flu about every 3 years or so (have a teenager and a tween, so they’re huge vectors), and I work in a public building. Yeah from my perspective, the #1 influenza symptom that I want to get rid of is the fever and body aches that come with it. So regular, but not excessive pain/fever reliever use is what I do. I try to stay away from acetaminophen/paracetamol, just because it’s easy to over do it and damage your liver, unlike say… naproxen or aspirin. For the congestion, it’s pretty much guaifenesin (Mucinex), and dextromethorphan (Delsym) for the cough. Hot tea/herbal tea as needed. Can’t really overdo it there, especially with the caffeine free ones. People have a tendency to not eat or drink when they feel bad, and hot drinks like this are hydrating as well as soothing. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2025, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flu-how-to-do-it/1015419/14 "2025-03-13T13:16:01Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > > > Ask if you can use a nasal spray. > > This; but try using it only at night, when not being able to breathe through your nose can disrupt your sleep. Yup. I love Afrin (oxymetazoline) when I’m badly congested. But i only take it at night, because it can create a rebound effect. I don’t remember being so congested i couldn’t breath with the flu, though. That’s more a cold symptom for me. My treatment for flu is chicken soup and lots of rest. And maybe something for the fever. ---
**Author:** ![teelabrown](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teelabrown/32/8412_2.png) [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2025, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flu-how-to-do-it/1015419/15 "2025-03-13T13:23:28Z")
I had to check to make sure I did indeed get a flu shot back in autumn 2024. Yep, I did, at the same time as my Covid shot. I’m seeing we have a vigorous flu season right now, so I’m glad I’m protected. Between all the Covid boosters, Shingrix, pneumonia vaccines, RSV, and flu shots, it’s getting hard to stay on top of them all. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2025, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flu-how-to-do-it/1015419/16 "2025-03-13T16:03:16Z")
The only ones on that list that you need every year, at least according to the recommendations the last time I looked, are covid and flu; which you can get both at once. The others seem to be either once-only or in the case of Shingrix one series of two at the right spacing, though there’s several months leeway in the spacing. ---
**Author:** ![teelabrown](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teelabrown/32/8412_2.png) [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2025, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flu-how-to-do-it/1015419/17 "2025-03-15T15:59:50Z")
Didn’t someone in one of these threads point out that you had to re-do the Shingrix series again ten years or so down the road? Sorry for the tangent away from the flu vaccine. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2025, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flu-how-to-do-it/1015419/18 "2025-03-15T16:14:07Z")
It’s currently considered a once-and-done vaccine series. (Two doses.) I discussed it with my doctor when i got it, and he thinks that in ten years they may find that efficacy flags and it should be readministered, but that’s not the current recommendation. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2025, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flu-how-to-do-it/1015419/19 "2025-03-15T20:03:53Z")
> [@teelabrown](#): > > Didn’t someone in one of these threads point out that you had to re-do the Shingrix series again ten years or so down the road? There was a previous shingles vaccine; I forget what it was called. They decided it didn’t work as well, and recommended that people who had had that one should have the Shingrix series also when Shingrix became available; which may have been about ten years after when the first one came out, I’m not sure. Maybe that’s what you’re thinking of? ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2025, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flu-how-to-do-it/1015419/20 "2025-03-15T20:06:33Z")
You also need the adult combo tetanus/pertussis/diphtheria shot every 10 years. I didn’t know this when I was pregnant, but just happened to have had one about 10 years earlier when I did basic training, and ten years before that when I got it before flying abroad. Got another one when my son turned 10, and due in a couple of years when he turns 20. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flu-how-to-do-it/1015419.md?page=2)