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The biggest misconception people have is that the flu vaccine can treat the flu once you have it. The flu vaccine is only for prevention of the flu. It does not treat the flu once you have it.
If you do get the flu:
* Go to bed and get plenty of rest.
* Drink lots of water and juice.
* Stay away from children, elderly people or anyone with a serious illness, so they don't catch the flu from you.
* Ask your doctor about medication to reduce aches, pain and fever (e.g. acetominophen or ibuprofen).
If caught early, your doctor may be able to prescribe some anti-influenza drugs that may ease your discomfort and shorten the length of your illness. If you have trouble breathing or start to cough up sputum, you should also see a doctor. Although antibiotics don't help influenza itself, sometimes doctors prescribe antibiotics for complications of flu such as pneumonia.
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 24 October 2009 )
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