Flu symptoms

fadedfalcon11 said:coastalwolf87, I'm curious about that chicken soup thing. I know people swear by chicken, but why is it actually better than beef??

"Chicken contains a natural amino acid called cysteine that is released during cooking. Chemically, cysteine is incredibly similar to the medication acetylcysteine, which is prescribed for bronchitis and respiratory infections. Acetylcysteine was originally derived from chicken feathers and skin. Pharmacologically, it works by thinning the mucus in your lungs, making it easier to cough up. When inhaled, chicken soup provides better results than just hot water—which people usually attribute to essential oil vapors. To prevent or fight off the flu or a cold, you should eat a bowl of this soup every day. You can boost the effect if you cook it with plenty of onions, garlic, and some spicy kick—like chili, pepper, or curry. The therapeutic effect lasts about half an hour, so you should sip it slowly."

From the Jean Carper book, "food - miracle cure"
That book is packed with great advice for all sorts of ailments too.
There you go.

Personally, I stick to Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) to keep my immune system up. My Latin isn't great, but something like that. I don't know the specific American name, but you can find it easily under Echinacea at any drugstore.

Just one tablet a day (about 200 mg of extract, roughly 7:1 ratio).

Take it for a maximum of 14 days, then stop.

It boosts immunity like crazy. Colds, sneezing, coughing...?
zero, zero, zero...
I guarantee it.

But that's just prevention! Once the flu actually hits, there's not much else you can do.
Sure, hitting the sauna or other wellness spikes helps.

Of course, I can't speak for how it works for everyone else... but you can't go wrong with this.

Yeah, I use Echinacea too, but I prefer it in a tincture. You can pick it up at any herbal shop, and even at places like Walgreens, so it’s pretty easy to find and won't break the bank.

It's great for prevention, but it doesn't hurt to take it when you start feeling like a cold might be coming on. Knock on wood... I haven't caught the flu yet...

coastalwolf87, thanks a lot.

None of the people I know in my neighborhood who got vaccinated have come down with the flu so far.

Neither did I during those years when I opted for the shot—usually, if I did get sick, it was just a minor cold that cleared up in two or three days without needing any time off work.

Generally speaking, I'm all for getting vaccinated. Even if someone who’s been vaccinated ends up catching the flu, there's a huge chance it'll be much shorter and way easier to handle.

For certain professions, though, getting vaccinated is a total requirement.

So, I’ve been battling this nasty flu since Sunday—honestly, I can’t even remember the last time I felt this wiped out... It feels just like the seasonal bugs we get every year... ugh, I am seriously over being stuck in bed all day...
I was wondering, is it actually okay to take a shower (just lukewarm water, obviously) while running a fever? My family is insisting I shouldn't touch the water, but I'm honestly starting to feel pretty gross from just lying here...

As for getting vaccinated, I’m still feeling pretty skeptical about it. I mean, they design those shots based on last year's virus strain, right? But the virus shifts every single year, more or less... last year it was one thing, and this year it could be something completely different...

Drew Mitchell55 said:Is it okay to take a shower (like, with lukewarm water) while I have a fever? My family is telling me I shouldn't, but I'm honestly just feeling so gross and greasy...

Of course you can.
Besides, taking a lukewarm shower can actually help bring a fever down a little bit...

Roger Cox10 said:Basically, my little boy came down with the flu today even though he got vaccinated. 😢 A friend mentioned the shot isn't 100% effective. 😢 I’ve picked up all sorts of tablets, but does anyone know which ones actually worked for you? Please! 😢

I know a few things. If you want them, I can send you a PM. 😎

Apparently, there are tons of people getting sick even after being vaccinated. They’re claiming the virus just mutated "along the way," making the shot pretty much useless.
chicken soup🙏

Amy Fox97 said:Look, if you really want to know, I can just shoot you a private message. 😎

Why not? Go ahead—🙂 though I suppose it might be more useful to just say it here, so others can actually benefit from it if they need to. 😁

Roger Cox10 said:Why not? Go right ahead 🙂 though I honestly feel it would be more helpful to share that information right here—that way everyone else can benefit from it if they find themselves in a similar spot 😁

Exactly—why not share that little blessing with the rest of us? It might make things a bit easier for everyone else too 🙂
Maybe they’re just terrified of those Laryngitis rules and don't dare to promote anything 😁
But then again, I suppose that doesn't apply to you or the medications... or does it... Casey Palmer5?

Somewhere there was a thread about this... He basically just went on his own rant. Honestly, I didn't even delete it, I just closed the whole thing down...

About three weeks ago, I caught the flu, a virus, or something else entirely.
Ever since I was a kid, I dealt with monthly throat infections and fevers.
When I turned 18, I finally had my tonsils out, and things improved to just once a year after that.
But at the start of this month, it all came back—swollen throat, painful swallowing, a stuffed nose, and a fever.
My doctor listened to my lungs and prescribed Sumamed, 500 mg once a day.
Since that didn't help, she switched me to Augmentin, 1000 mg twice a day. I went through two full boxes.
I still have a few of those massive pills left, but I’m stuck with a 99-degree fever, a burning throat, and traces of blood when I blow my nose.
I just feel exhausted, wiped out, and generally terrible.
Unfortunately, my doctor basically asks patients what meds they want right out of the gate, and honestly, I've had enough pills!
Regardless, I think I need to go back to her.
Should I ask her for some actual tests?
Thanks.

Full blood work and a urinalysis. Right now!

That’s exactly what they do at the vet when the meds fail to work, let alone for humans. 🙄

Good grief... seriously... just find a new primary care doctor the moment you run into people like this.

I was actually thinking about switching doctors, but I waited a bit too long.
It looks like my current one might become the director of the local health center, so she’ll be leaving our area soon.
Fingers crossed.

Thanks for the advice on what tests to get.

You can actually get a doctor to change things even after the deadline has passed; you just have to be relentless about demanding what you're owed. Bureaucracy is a ruthless beast, but you can make them bend if you push hard enough—or even break them.

I basically just sat down in my sister's room and told her I wasn't getting up until they handed over my medical records.

I thought you could change it since one lady tried to grab her kid's medical records last time. It almost turned into a full-blown fight.
Honestly, I think the issue is just me—I tend to believe everything my doctor tells me.
But hey, it's her field of expertise. 🙄

Gary Watson4 said:I thought it was possible to change the records because some woman tried to request her kid's medical file last time. It nearly turned into a full-blown brawl.

I have never dealt with such an unpleasant situation as when I refused to let my child's medical records stay sitting in that so-called "school" health clinic.

My child has the right to choose their doctor—or rather, I make that choice on their behalf—just like any other person covered by health insurance. Beyond that, until they turn 18, they have the legal right to select their own pediatrician.

It’s honestly quite touching how much faith you place in your doctor... truly commendable. But if I’m being honest, based on the way you write here, I just can't bring myself to trust your judgment.

I am absolutely thrilled with my doctor.

Kenneth Hernandez67 said:Get a full blood panel and urinalysis. Right away!

That’s what vets do for dogs when medication isn't working, let alone for people. 🙄

Good grief... seriously, if you run into primary care doctors like that, just find new ones.

Gary Watson4, you know I'm constantly seeing doctors—different specialists, actually. We're living in the 21st century now... patients have a right to speak up, ask questions, and be part of their own treatment plan.
It just hit me that I'm finally heading in for surgery, though I'm only about 50% hopeful... the doctor left the final call to me, rather than dictating it himself. Even though, as you might know, I've canceled twice already, and my wife isn't thrilled—she thinks a Neurosurgeon should definitely know better.

Take my wife, for example; she's nearly 67 and shares that same mindset—that the doctor knows best. But I proved her wrong recently. I suspected she was low on B12, and when I mentioned it, the doctor just laughed and asked where I got such an idea. I told her I read it online... well, she ran the blood work and I was spot on. Now my wife needs B12 injections every three months for the rest of her life because her stomach can't absorb it from food.

As for you, you seem pretty worn out. After three weeks, a temperature of 99°F isn't dangerous, especially if it's taken under the tongue.

Kenneth Hernandez67 makes a good point about the tests, but personally, I think taking around 1500-2000 mg of Vitamin C daily helps too. I'm not even sure which ones you're taking, but they might give you a boost.
I don't rely on vitamins much here in the States, but you guys deal with a different climate and don't have access to the same fruit we get year-round.

Wishing you all the best.

👋 👋

🙂 😉 😎

Gary Watson4, look, I feel for you with all those issues, but honestly, they’re super easy to fix if you just get real about it. There aren't any magic pills or genius doctors out there who are gonna swoop in and cure us with some miracle technique. Those guys just treat the symptoms, not the actual cause. Taking charge of your health is totally in our hands, and anyone can stay fit just by tweaking a few daily habits. You'll kick those constant colds easily once you actually beef up your body's natural defenses (and no, I don't mean slamming high doses of antibiotics).
The truth is, a cold only hits you when your natural immunity tanks. If your body is healthy, it’ll crush whatever cold virus tries to mess with you, and the absolute basics for a solid immune system are eating right and moving your body a bit.

If you can manage it, the best way to eat healthy and give your body what it actually needs is to follow this setup: aim for 5 to 6 small, varied meals a day. Here's the breakdown:
1. Grains, rice, bread, and pasta—hit these at least 4 times a day. (One serving = 1 slice of bread, 30g of cornflakes, 1/2 cup of pasta, or 1/2 cup of cooked rice).
2. Fruit is loaded with carbs, water, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and organic acids, so you should be eating it 2 to 4 times every single day. (One serving = 1 cup of fresh fruit, 1/2 cup of cooked fruit, 1 apple, or 2 kiwis).
3. Veggies are basically a goldmine of fiber, vitamins, minerals—especially A and C—plus iron and magnesium. They're low calorie and easy on the stomach, so try to have them 4 or more times a day. (One serving = 1 cup of raw veggies or 1/2 cup of cooked ones).
4. Milk and dairy—adults should have at least 2 servings a day, while kids, pregnant women, and nursing moms need 4 or more. (One serving = 1 cup of milk or 30-50g of cheese).
5. Meat, fish, and eggs—adults twice a day, kids and pregnant women three times. (One serving = 60-90g of meat or 30g of fish).
6. Fats, oils, and sweets—keep it to just 1 serving a day for adults. (One serving = 5g of oil/fat, 3g of butter, or 8g of bacon).

Look, I know nobody's life is perfect, but trust me, if you stick to this model as much as possible, you won't be getting sick nearly as often. If you can't nail this diet every single day, you can help yourself out with decent supplements—basically high-quality vitamin and mineral blends. (Hit me up if you want some specific recommendations).

And one more thing: don't forget to move. Even just a 30-minute walk every day keeps your body in good shape.👋