6 things you should do after the cold or flu

By January 18, 2017Blog
Sick girl sneezing in tissue

You did everything you could to avoid the cold or flu – washed your hands often, got good rest, ate well – but you just couldn’t escape catching your coworker’s nasty sickness.

You’ve been stuck in bed for days, and now the worst of it is over. So, what’s next?

There are a number of things you should do when you are recovering from a cold or the flu, things that will help you to feel your best as quickly as possible.

Here are six of them:

  • Wash your hands often – Whether it’s after you eat, before you cook, after you shake someone’s hand, after you sneeze (the list goes on), you should keep your hands as free of germs as possible. Those are the same germs that can make you sick all over again.
  • Use a humidifier – If you use a humidifier, make sure you keep it clean. A clean humidifier running properly will add moisture to the air and make it easier for you to breathe. A humidifier is simply a device that emits water vapor, or steam, to add moisture to the air. It can help to prevent subsequent sinus infections after a cold.
  • Go heavy on the garlic – Garlic is a little strong for some people, and delicious for others. Whether you love it or hate it, garlic contains natural antiviral and antibacterial properties, which makes it a perfect food to help you overcome your cold or flu. If you can’t eat garlic by itself, try sprinkling little bits on your food. Researchers say fresh garlic is a better choice than processed garlic when you’re getting over an illness.
  • Don’t overdo it – Just because you’re starting to feel human again, doesn’t mean it’s OK to jump back into your marathon training. You should avoid strenuous exercise for about a week or two after a cold or the flu. If you’re feeling stir crazy, try going for a nice walk or a leisurely bike ride, but don’t stay out too long. You still need a lot of extra rest when you’re recovering from a cold or the flu.
  • Don’t stress yourself out – When you get stressed out, your body releases hormones in your bloodstream that can weaken your immune system. Remember, your immune system is already vulnerable immediately after a cold or the flu, so you don’t want to do anything to make yourself even more susceptible to a relapse. Don’t work a 12-hour day on your first day back at the office, and call in sick if you need to.
  • Loosen that mucus – You should try to get as much of that leftover mucus out of your body as possible. One way to do that is to blow your nose while you are in the shower. The hot, steamy air in the shower will loosen your nasal passages.

If you’ve done all of these things and you’re still feeling like your cold or flu is kicking you in the behind, come see us at Urgent Care so we can help you to start feeling better.