Remedies for the flu other than resting

[Special At Specialist]

I know that a lot of people here on AN are doctors, so I figured that this would be the best place to ask.

I don't want to waste your time with the whole story, so I'll sum it up for you:

• I have a full time job which requires me to wake up very early each day
  
• I feel very sick and I think I might have the flu
  
• I can't take a day off work or else I will risk getting fired
  

So basically, I need some sort of remedy for the flu which doesn't involve sleeping in or getting a lot of rest. Is there anything in particular I should eat or drink? Any medication that I should take? Please help me!

[thushan]

I know that a lot of people here on AN are doctors, so I figured that this would be the best place to ask.

I don't want to waste your time with the whole story, so I'll sum it up for you:

• I have a full time job which requires me to wake up very early each day
  
• I feel very sick and I think I might have the flu
  
• I can't take a day off work or else I will risk getting fired
  

So basically, I need some sort of remedy for the flu which doesn't involve sleeping in or getting a lot of rest. Is there anything in particular I should eat or drink? Any medication that I should take? Please help me!

We're not doctors; we're med students. We can't prescribe - it's illegal. You have to see a GP.

[mark_alec]

You are allowed to be sick and not lose your job. Firing you would be against the law.

[Russ]

Assuming he has a cash in hand type job, he might. I had a shitty cold a while ago and dosed up on panadol. If you don't actually have the flu (it's still feb) that's usually what most people do if they have commitments

[_avO]

warm soup and lots of water

[slothpomba]

As a Pharmacology student, i can't stress enough how much you should try homeopathy:



Basically, they take what causes similar symptoms (say pepper will cause a runny nose) and dilute it down by an absolute shitload. This is important though, the more diluted and weaker it is, the stronger its effects. It totally works, don't listen to mainstream science about bigger doses being stronger...its all a conspiracy.


No but really, there is nothing you'll be able to buy or take that will "cure" it or probably even speed up how fast that happens. The best you can hope for is treat the symptoms.

If your runny/congested nose is really annoying you, ask for some nasal spray. You can also try get Codral but since they changed the formula (it used to contain things you can make meth with) it doesn't really work as well and codral would affect your whole body, which isn't really needed when only your nose and chest is the problem. If you still want to go down this route, ask for old codral, they'll need to scan your license though. Take nurofen for your aches and pains. That should cover most of the annoying things.

[Special At Specialist]

We're not doctors; we're med students. We can't prescribe - it's illegal. You have to see a GP.

I'm not asking for an actual prescription, just some advice on over-the-counter medication I can take, or even herbal remedies or whatever will work. Besides, seeing a doctor would involve taking a day off work, which defeats the whole purpose of this.

You are allowed to be sick and not lose your job. Firing you would be against the law.

I was offered a full-time position, but at the moment, I think I'm still working as a contractor, which means that I can get fired at any random moment, just like the last guy 

warm soup and lots of water

I haven't heard this one before... any particular type of soup? Tomato soup? Would there be alternative drinks in addition to water, such as orange juice?

Assuming he has a cash in hand type job, he might. I had a shitty cold a while ago and dosed up on panadol. If you don't actually have the flu (it's still feb) that's usually what most people do if they have commitments

Thank you for the advice! I will definitely see if I can get my hands on that tomorrow, or maybe I could quickly go to the shops tonight, since most supermarkets don't shut until 11pm.

[thushan]

Ask the pharmacist then. Or go see your doctor after work?

[Special At Specialist]

Seeing a doctor in person is so much work... I would have to get my medicare card off my mum, which would involve her asking me about 50 questions beforehand. Then she will do one of two things: either start worrying and add unnecessary pressure to my life, or shrug it off like it's nothing and make me go to work regardless. It would be so much easier to just get help online.

I'm going to try to go to bed now. Hopefully I don't wake up every 2 hours like I did last night...

[thushan]

Seeing a doctor in person is so much work... I would have to get my medicare card off my mum, which would involve her asking me about 50 questions beforehand. Then she will do one of two things: either start worrying and add unnecessary pressure to my life, or shrug it off like it's nothing and make me go to work regardless. It would be so much easier to just get help online.

I'm going to try to go to bed now. Hopefully I don't wake up every 2 hours like I did last night...

Do you go to the same clinic? If so, often your birthdate would suffice.

If not, what I did was memorise the Medicare number and recite it to reception.

[BigAl]

Grab a tea or coffee. Put some cinnamon into the cup..and lastly add some honey. This will relieve your throat. If your nose is blocked with mucus, take some salty water inside your nose. This is what I do everytime I get flu
Edit: add some black pepper in your tea. This will relieve you too

[alondouek]

As a Pharmacology student, i can't stress enough how much you should try homeopathy:

(Image removed from quote.)

Basically, they take what causes similar symptoms (say pepper will cause a runny nose) and dilute it down by an absolute shitload. This is important though, the more diluted and weaker it is, the stronger its effects. It totally works, don't listen to mainstream science about bigger doses being stronger...its all a conspiracy.


No but really, there is nothing you'll be able to buy or take that will "cure" it or probably even speed up how fast that happens. The best you can hope for is treat the symptoms.

If your runny/congested nose is really annoying you, ask for some nasal spray. You can also try get Codral but since they changed the formula (it used to contain things you can make meth with) it doesn't really work as well and codral would affect your whole body, which isn't really needed when only your nose and chest is the problem. If you still want to go down this route, ask for old codral, they'll need to scan your license though. Take nurofen for your aches and pains. That should cover most of the annoying things.

Gotta say, I nearly threw my computer at the nearest wall until I read the second bit haha

I doubt you actually have the flu (given that it's only March), but a lot of people, myself included, have had a fairly unpleasant cold recently.

Personally, I get "Ease-a-Cold" cold and flu tabs, and take them along with Bioceuticals Armaforce. Both of these contain zinc, which has been found to "reduce the duration and severity of the common cold when administered within 24 hours of the onset of common cold symptoms" (see this paper from the US National Library of Medicine.

IMPORTANT NOTE: I do not condone the taking of any medication without the approval of a qualified doctor or pharmacist. Always consult a health professional before taking any medication.

[jasoN-]

The 'flu' is quite a general term you're using to describe a number of symptoms.
What kind of symptoms do you have? A cough, cold, runny nose, fever etc.?
Different symptoms require a different treatment approach.
If you really don't want to go to your doctor, go to a Pharmacy before work or during your lunch break or whatever.
With fevers, I usually give customers just your every day Panadol or Nurofen for the headaches, coughs can be treated with varying OTC medications which depends really on your specific symptoms (dry cough or expectorant etc.)
For now while you're at home, drink lots of water, maybe take some vitamin C or orange juice if you have any, and rest, simple as that.
Of course, if you're still not feeling well after visiting a Pharmacy, definitely go to the Doctor.

[Mao]

I know that a lot of people here on AN are doctors, so I figured that this would be the best place to ask.

I don't want to waste your time with the whole story, so I'll sum it up for you:

• I have a full time job which requires me to wake up very early each day
  
• I feel very sick and I think I might have the flu
  
• I can't take a day off work or else I will risk getting fired
  

So basically, I need some sort of remedy for the flu which doesn't involve sleeping in or getting a lot of rest. Is there anything in particular I should eat or drink? Any medication that I should take? Please help me!

You should try having an intimate relationship with your boss. Then, your boss will get the flu, and will take time off work, which will allow you to take time off work and rest up.

[alondouek]

You should try having an intimate relationship with your boss. Then, your boss will get the flu, and will take time off work, which will allow you to take time off work and rest up.

This works even better with AIDS