Help I'm Sick. Now What?
FLU :
(A viral infection) fever as high
as 104 degrees, generalized muscle aches, cough,
chills, sore throat, weakness and/or fatigue and
headache.
TREATMENT...generally
symptomatic:
- Rest
- Drink lots of fluids (8oz.
Per hour) Preferably, fluids with sugar e.g.
Coca-Cola, 7-Up
- Tylenol or Advil (Ibuprofen-take
with food) 2 tablets every 4-6 hours for fever
and/or pain/aches.
FEVER :
DO NOT TAKE ASPIRIN FOR A FEVER as serious complications
may arise such as Reye’s Syndrome which
is brain and liver failure and occurs in children
and young adults.
TREATMENT...
- Take acetaminophen (Tylenol)
or ibuprofen (Advil.)
- Cool, tepid showers (not
cold or hot)
- Don’t bundle up….this
keeps your core body temperature up.
- Rest
- Fluids
- If no improvement after
24-48 hours or temperature increases, seek medical
advice. In some cases, a fever is beneficial
in helping your body rid itself of a virus.
COLDS :
TREATMENT...
- Drink lots of fluids to
loosen secretions-hot ones to soothe the throat.
- Gargling with warm salt
water can help reduce swelling in the throat.
- Inhale warm, moist air – humidifier or a facial steamer.
- Get plenty of rest
- DON’T SMOKE, smoking
thickens your secretions.
MEDICATIONS...
- Tylenol or other acetaminophen
products for aches/pains or fever.
- Decongestants such as
Pseudophedrine (Sudafed) for congestion
- Antihistamines such as
Benadryl or ChlorTrimeton for a runny or drippy
nose.
- Cough syrup for coughs
like Robitussin DM. (ASTHMATICS SHOULD NOT
TAKE UNLESS ADVISED BY A PHYSICIAN)
RECOVERY...
If your cold does not clear
up in 7 days or if you have the following
symptoms seek medical attention.
- chronic fatigue
- red/raw throat
- fever greater than 100.5
degrees F. for longer than two days.
- cough with production
of YELLOW OR GREEN mucus
- YELLOW, GREEN OR BLOODY
nasal drainage
- pain or tenderness around
eyes
- painful swelling of the
neck glands
- painful breathing, wheezing
or shortness of breath
HELPFUL HINT:
Finishing the complete course of medication is
important; even if you start feeling better
you need to take the entire antibiotic.
HELPFUL HINT:
GOOD HAND WASHING IS THE EASIEST AND BEST WAY
TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF GERMS.
HELPFUL HINT: Throat cultures are not taken until you’ve
had a sore throat for 24 hours—if it does
turn out negative but symptoms persist after
2-3 days be rechecked. A culture is not valid
if you have already started taking an antibiotic.
NAUSEA AND/OR VOMITING:
Seek medical advice if vomiting
persists for more than 24 hours. If you are vomiting blood, go to the emergency department.
TREATMENT...
- Nausea – intake
only small amounts of clear liquid fluids,
crackers or dry toast.
- Vomiting - Nothing to
eat/drink until your vomiting has stopped
for at least 4 hours. It is best to give your
stomach a rest.
How to advance your diet
once vomiting has stopped
- For the first 1 –
2 hours…sips of water, ice chips or
popsicles are recommended.
- First 24 hours…Gradually
increase your fluid intake. Remain on clear
liquids such as 7-up, tea, broth, jello, sports drinks
(any liquid you can see through). NO MILK
PRODUCTS
- Second 24 hours…Add
easily digested foods such as: Bananas, rice,
applesauce or toast. Again, no milk products.
- Third 24 hours…Regular
diet, although avoid greasy or spicy foods
until day 4.
DIARRHEA:
During acute phases of diarrhea, stress
to the digestive system should be minimized. Seek
medical advice if diarrhea persists.
TREATMENT...
- Eat 5-6 small meals
a day, using foods from the following lists.
The diet may be used for 2-3 days only, as
it is nutritionally inadequate.
- Day 1…bananas,
applesauce, boiled skim milk (cooled or
warm), cooked refined cereal, cooked rice,
eggs (not fried), tea (no sugar).
- Day 2 & 3…can
add the following; mashed potatoes, chicken
or other tender lean meats, mild cooked
vegetables, and canned or cooked fruits.
AVOID…fried, fatty or raw foods
and/or sweets and desserts.
- Day 4…Resume
normal diet
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