What to Do if You Get the Flu


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What to Do if You Get the Flu

You may have heard everyone talking about this year's flu season, but
you might not give it another thought unless you actually get the flu.
If you do get sick, knowing what to do can help you feel better faster.

Try these tips if you get the flu:

• Drink lots of fluids. Juice, water, and soup are great ways to get fluids in. But avoid caffeinated drinks, which won't hydrate you as well.
  
• Get lots of sleep and take it easy. This is a great time to chill with your favorite DVDs without your mom or dad asking you to help out around the house!
  
• Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to relieve fever and aches.
  Over-the-counter cold or cough medicines may also relieve some flu
  symptoms. Avoid taking aspirin, though, unless your doctor says it's OK.
  Aspirin can put teens at greater risk of developing Reye syndrome, a
  serious illness that sometimes follows infection with the flu virus.
  
• Wear layers. You might be cold one minute and hot
  the next, and wearing several layers — like a T-shirt, sweatshirt, and
  robe — makes it easy to add or remove clothes as needed.
  
• Wash your hands frequently. You don't want to
  spread the flu to everyone else, if you can help it. Also, avoid sharing
  cups and eating utensils with other people.
  

Most people who get the flu get better without having to see their
doctor. But if your flu symptoms get worse, if you have a high
temperature for more than a few days, if you have any trouble breathing,
or if you seem to get better but then feel worse again, call your
doctor right away.

And next time, get the flu vaccine so that you're less likely to get the flu!