This helps with flu

Das hilft bei Grippe

Fever, aching limbs, coughs, colds, and hoarseness abound – all signs that the flu has taken over Switzer­land. What helps and when is a doctor called for?

What is flu?

Flu or influenza is a general illness with an often severe course which is transmitted by influenza viruses via droplet or smear infection.

Typical flu symptoms

  • Sudden onset of a general feeling of being very unwell
  • Rapid rise in fever (over 38°C)
  • Chills
  • Headache and aching limbs
  • Sniffles and coughing
  • Sore throat and pain when swallowing, hoarseness
  • Fatigue and exhaustion, more rarely dizziness
  • Vomiting, stomach pain and diarrhoea (particularly in children)

What can be done to cure flu?

Treatment is essentially aimed at combating symptoms:

  • Drinking plenty of fluids is important to compensate for fluid loss due to fever and runny nose.
  • If you have a cough with sputum, don't take medications that suppress the urge to cough. Not coughing up the mucus hinders the healing process and can foster complications.
  • Use decongestant nasal sprays only for a short time, i.e. not longer than 7 days, because they dry out the mucous membranes, especially with repeated and regular use. It’s better to use a nasal cream or a saline nasal spray.
  • Bed rest

These household remedies help

Fieber senken: Wadenwickel können unterstützend wirken

Reducing a fever

Calf wraps are a time-tested household remedy for fever. What also works.

Household remedies
A woman pours hot water into a teacup at the kitchen table.

Cistus tea

The medicinal plant cistus is rich in antioxidants and has an expectorant effect.

Drink now
Someone cuts lemons and ginger into pieces and makes a tea with honey and hot water.

Blue elderberry

The tea has anti-bacterial properties and tastes good with a little lemon juice.

Make the tea
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When to see a doctor?

A doctor should be consulted in the following cases:

  • Fever of more than 40°C that lasts more than 24 hours.
  • When older people and people with weakened immune systems get sick.
  • Shortness of breath or pain when breathing.
  • Pus-like sputum, as it indicates a bacterial infection of the respiratory tract.
  • Middle ear infection and sinusitis or other complications.
  • Disorientation and stiff neck.
  • Pre-existing chronic illnesses, in particular of the lungs, heart and circulatory system.

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