Being struck down with flu can be extremely miserable no matter when it happens. The symptoms of influenza leave most people bed bound willing their recovery time along, however very few people know they can actually reduce the amount of time needed to recover from the flu by taking an antiviral medicine like Relenza or Tamiflu.
What are the most common symptoms of flu?
Influenza generally presents with fever (over 38 degrees), headache, cough, sore throat and muscle aches. The onset of symptoms is generally quick and the most severe symptoms normally last for around seven days, though in some case general malaise can persist for a number of weeks following infection.
How can I treat symptoms?
There is no cure for flu, but there are many medical treatments available to manage the severity of symptoms.
Paracetamol is a generic analgesic and antipyrectic medicine and as such is very useful in reducing the severity of flu symptoms. An analgesic treatment helps to relieve pain such as headaches, as well as muscle and joint pains, whereas antipyretic properties lower a fever.
Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) which is antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and capable of relieving pain.
Antiviral medicines like Tamiflu and Relenza are capable of relieving the symptoms of flu and unlike other treatments are clinically proven to actively reduce the time needed to recover from the virus. This is because antivirals attack the virus itself preventing it from multiplying and in doing so helps the body’s immune system to naturally fight flu.