Influenza, also known as the flu, is an infectious disease that is used to kill millions of people around the world. Thanks to modern medicine, however, there are now treatments available to cure influenza and to keep it from spreading to others. While the flu is still extremely common during certain times of the year, it isn’t the death sentence that it once was.
Most cases of the flu are treatable using a combination of over-the-counter medications, home remedies, and rest. However, extreme cases might require a doctor’s visit followed by prescription medications. At any rate, here are some of the most common and effective treatments to cure the flu.
Medications are the most common and effective way to treat the flu. Because of the nature of influenza, surgery typically isn’t an option unless the flu leads to additional complications. However, this rarely happens, as long as you take the proper medications to cure your flu bug. Here are the most common medications for the flu.
Antivirals are prescription medications used to treat viruses, which is what causes the flu in the first place. Antivirals are powerful medications and usually aren’t necessary unless you have a severe case of the flu.
Oseltamivir is an oral antiviral in pill or liquid form that takes away the flu within several days of when you start taking it. It’s the most common antiviral for treating influenza.
Zanamivir is an antiviral medication that’s available in vapor form and you take it orally with an inhaler. You shouldn’t take this medication if you use an inhaler for asthma or other breathing issues.
Peramivir is an IV medication that gets administered to you at a hospital or medical clinic. Peramivir is typically only used in extreme situations where immediate action is necessary.
This is one of the newer medications available for treating the flu. It’s powerful enough that you only need one oral dose of Beloxavir marboxil to treat the flu. Because of how strong it is, however, doctors won’t often recommend Beloxavir marboxil.
Before going straight to prescription medications, your doctor might recommend over-the-counter medications if you have a mild to moderate case of the flu. Over-the-counter medications include Tylenol, Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, Aleve, and Advil to help with painful symptoms of the flu. You might also need throat syrups or sprays if you have a sore throat, such as Chloroseptic spray. The goal of over-the-counter medications isn’t necessarily to cure the flu, but to ease your symptoms until the flu passes naturally.
Like all medications, there are potential side effects associated with taking antivirals and over-the-counter medications. However, they’re more common and serious with prescription antivirals, and each one will show different side effects.
In addition to prescription and over-the-counter medications, there are also plenty of home remedies that can help you recover from the flu.
Home remedies work best when they’re combined with medications.
While influenza can cause many unwanted symptoms including pain, soreness, fever, nausea, and more, it’s very treatable and most people will recover. However, it’s essential that you see a doctor and receive the proper medication and recovery plan. It’s also important that you get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids if you want to make a quick and lasting recovery.