Anything I can do for flu?

[Janus]

Anything I can take? I’ve been having lemsip day and night and one paracetamol. I honestly cannot sleep at all, had maybe an hour around 10-11 and been awake the entire night with severe aches and a nose like a tap, cannot breathe at all. I have 4 kids to get to school tomorrow and then I can get back to bed but while I’m out can I buy anything to help?

Sorry you are suffering like this.

You can have ibuprofen as well as paracetamol, just make a clear note of what you take when.

Loads of fluids and vit c. Rest and warmth.

You do need to rest and stay indoors or you are sharing your lovely germs and our NHS clearly can't cope already!

Any chance you can call another DM to pick yours up on the way? Or friend, relative...anyone

Thank you, shall go and find the ibuprofen, forgot about that!
No one to take children, we live out of the way, husband not in the country, family miles 150 miles away! I think I can get them there and then turn around and come home and straight up to bed. I have lots of satsumas for vitamin c! Honestly I haven’t felt this bad in years, it’s proper everything, even my jaw, aches.

Vicks vapour rub or if you prefer a more natural version buy some eucalyptus/menthol crystals from the chemist, add to a bowl of hot water and shove a towel over your head to inhale. They will free your congestion up a treat.

I’ve stuck that on my chest but do you think the bowl and boiling water is better? Hasn’t made a bit of difference on the chest.

Boiling water but obviously not to the point of scalding is much better ☺ it's the steam combined with it that really clears the crap from your chest. Also adding honey to warmed milk is lovely and soothing plus naturally anti inflammatory. My granny was a marvel in utilising both when I was ill as a child and I stand by both still. Hope you feel better soon.

Oh! Also adding - if you're calling at the chemist/supermarket buy a box of Epson salt to add to a bath. It'll help relax your muscles and ache pain.

Thank you (and granny!) I will stop off at chemist on the way home.

If your nose is blocked up use olbas oil

Another vote for olbas oil. I had flu last year and DH got a humidifier from Argos that made a huge difference. Also boiled sweets made with glucose.

Wouldn't drink milk when you have flu, as everyone who sings will tell you, its mucus forming and you'll have enough of that already; clear liquids.

Especially thin chicken soup made from proper chicken stock! You can live on it for a year I swear!

Oh, Olbas do bath foam. Some of that in a hot, steamy bath is brilliant.

Cinnamon sticks lemon cut into chunks and fresh ginger in slices. Into a large jug and pour over boiling water. Top up as necessary and drink. Good hot and cold. Cinnamon is a natural antibiotic the others are antiseptic etc. Add honey if you like.

I would avoid the chemist. There Could be vulnerable people in there picking up prescriptions who could be made very ill if they catch your flu.