Cold & Flu Season Is Here: How To Power Through

It’s that time of year. Cold & flu season. I came down with a bad sore throat, fever, cough, headache, as well as body aches and pains last week. It was rough. Thankfully I’m feeling much better now. I do what I can to keep myself and my family healthy but this time of year can be tough.

This post is sponsored by Vicks and products below were received.

 That’s why I’m happy to share tips to help you power through from Nurse Barb Dehn, practicing Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner and award winning author, as well as information from the Global Flu Survey and the CDC about this year’s flu season.

I recently read the results of a survey from the makers of Vicks NyQuil Severe and DayQuil Severe which showed that when people are under the weather they often struggle with whether or not to call in sick. The leading motive for deciding not to take a sick day, as reported by survey respondents, was work pressures (44.9%). Additional reasons, included financial concerns (42.5%) and fear of falling behind at the office (33.5%).

Nurse Barb Dehn says, “I recommend that sick patients get plenty of rest at home, if they can, to limit the spread of the virus. As always, consult with your health care provider. If you simply cannot take a sick day, there are effective over-the-counter medications on the market today to help you power through your cold and flu symptoms.”

Since the CDC has declared this year’s flu season an epidemic and there is elevated flu activity in all parts of the county. All this and flu season hasn’t officially peaked yet in the United States. Historically it peaks in late January or early February.

Nurse Barb offers the following tips when treating the flu or trying to stay healthy during flu season:

• Know the signs. You are most contagious in the first 24 hours when your symptoms are at their worst. If you have two or more of these symptoms, stay home to rest: fever over 101^o F, cough, sore throat, running nose, headache, body aches, chills, or fatigue.

• Avoid germs at work. Watch out for these germ-ridden places at the office: the sink in the break room, the office microwave, and doorknobs. Keep antiseptic wipes with you and remember to wash your hands frequently.

• Say no to stress. Stress can influence the symptoms of cold, cough and flu by interfering with how the immune system functions. To keep your immune system strong, make sure to get plenty of rest and sleep all the time, not just when you’re sick.

• Elevate the head of the bed. Place a pillow under your mattress to raise the upper body from the waist up. This allows blood to flow away from the head and reduce inflammation of the air passages. Using extra pillows can also ease body aches by taking the pressure off hips, knees and back.

• Take a hot shower before bed. Steam and humidity can cause sinuses to drain and relieve stuffiness from a cold. It can also help you to relax, and ease chills, aches and fatigue. Put your towel and/or bathrobe in the dryer so that you don’t feel chilled when you get out, and make sure the room is nice and warm.

• Sleep on a schedule. Go to bed and wake up on a regular schedule. Plus, avoid stimulating beverages like caffeinated coffee or alcohol before going to sleep, as well as bright light from the screens on your phone, TV or other electronic devices.

• Try tea. Drinking an herbal tea such as chamomile, passionflower or other soothing teas before bed can help you relax while also getting helpful fluids into your system.

• Take a multi-symptom medication. My patients want fast, effective relief to help them get back to their busy lives. Look for a medication that can treat the toughest symptoms while also helping you rest. DayQuil Severe and NyQuil Severe fight your worst cold & flu symptoms so you can power through symptoms during the day, and get the rest you need at night to get back to being you.

Thanks to Vicks I’m stocked up for flu season.

I was excited to learn Better Home & Gardens just announced that Vicks DayQuil and NyQuil Severe has been named as one of the Best New Products of the year! It was selected as the Best New Cough & Cold Remedy product.

Did you know?

• Vicks DayQuil Severe contains a non-drowsy pain reliever/fever reducer, nasal decongestant, cough suppressant, and expectorant, all to temporarily relieve aches, fever, sore throat, nasal/sinus congestion and pressure, cough, and chest congestion
• Vicks NyQuil Severe relieves aches, fever, sore throat, nasal/sinus congestion and pressure, sneezing, running nose and cough so you can rest through the night