Pick-me-up to get over flu

Both myself and 1 1/2 year old grandson had the same thing. It lasted 10 days to 2 weeks and we both still have some lingering symptoms.

I found giving up regular hot drinks and only drinking water or citrus based drinks helped my throat a lot. We were both off our food. Despite being a fatty who can never lose weight, I lost a stone although it went back once I started eating again.

Both grandson and I went through a patch of dry mouth and being very thirsty in the night although that has passed now.

Got the cough too!
I once read a recipe for a concoction of (approximately) lemon juice plus zest or even rind, hot water, fresh ginger, honey, a pinch of chilli and same of garlic.
I used to cook up a big pot, strain it and drink at intervals during the day.
Pretty foul, but it works!

Am I allowed to recommend Floradix? It's very good and was exactly the boost my dil needed after a bad bout of flu.

Lemons being citrus badly affect a lot of people with arthritis and honey isn't good for diabetics, so one has to be careful.

Going to try MawBsrecipe..had horrendous cold/cough for 9 days....cough lingering...feel wiped out...so tired but not sleeping properly..lots of family stress also not helping...properly sorry for myself because I just feel so lethargic and miserable..I usually kick out and fight back but cant at the moment...need to be well as I am on call to fly to Dubai as soon as my daughter is in labour..will be there 4 to 5 weeks to mind the 3yr old ...also stressful family Christmas approaching...need to feel at least 80% well...

Can anyone remember the early symptoms? I've not had flu for about 15 years or more but today I feel a bit rubbery with the start of a cough.

I haven't had flu, but a horrible cold which has left me feeling really washed out.

I just feel exhausted; my eyes are sore and red, as is my throat, and a fair old cough, still.

I have had something. Not flu. Had that. Still feeling terribly washed out and yonderly. Absolutely floored me and I took to my bed. I phoned my neighbour and he got me some echinacea tablets. I swear they helped.
Paracetamol does nothing for me.
I am going to take a vitamin c supplement in future because I can’t have citrus fruit. I heard that rubbing your feet with Vick and putting socks on after can help allieviate a cough.

If you've had flu, you never forget what the symptoms are, early or otherwise. It usually hit me hard right from the start with headache, bone aches high temperature, shivering and sweating alternately and sometimes, in the worst cases, even vomiting. There can be symptoms similar to a bad cold, but flu really is something else.

I can thoroughly recommend Echinacea which boosts your immune system. It has served me very well for many years and stopped many virus infections from taking hold. I have no idea which brands are best but the ones from Healthspan seem excellent to me and I wouldn't use anything else. You can take 2 daily at the first sign of a cold or during an illness. They will also help when you're recovering as they will strengthen your immune system and help you get over the illness. They are perfect for virus infections where an antibiotic won't work. Or take 1 daily over a couple of the winter months as a preventative. You shouldn't take them indefinitely though.

Doesn't everyone get the flu' jab?

Nope - only ever had flu twice in my life! There are some nasty viral infections that the jab is no protection against. I think lots of fluids, rest - and patience is all that's needed. It's quite normal to feel wobbly and out of sorts for weeks after one.

I should be on my way to deliver Christmas presents and go to one of my grandchildren nativities, but I’m lying on the sofa, horrendous cough, everything aching , I have so much to do in the next few days, at work and at home, and yes, I have had a flu jab.

I had the flu jab but now I have my 2nd cold in 15 years. I just never get a cold or runny nose or cough but this.... its floored me. My nose doesn't stop. a terrible cough where I cough until I am nearly sickened absolute no control over my bladder. I think I am going to buy shares in Tena Pants.

I have always taken Vit C along with my Vit D and calcium tablet. I just took to my bed, along with a hot bottle and just sleep. Living on herbal teas as I am not the slightest bit interested in food. It seems it has now turned into an infection and I am on antibiotics. So I hope I am recovered for Christmas. Get well all with this dreadful cold thing.

Snap Barmeyoldbat also had the flu jab...never have had a cold like this one...feel floored also...frustratingly annoying...cough sounds the same as your also..yuk!!

Barmeyoldbat and Farview: I recognise that cough! Not nice at all. Chestnut and QuaintIrene: I am going to try echinacea. Bingo12: yes, I had the flu jab, though only in late Nov. Mr L, who had one in early Oct, has not succumbed. I don't feel up to making (or taking) MawB's concoction, but I have ordered a bottle of Floradix (the magnesium one), BradfordLass. Thinking back to last week, I am on the mend - but it is sooo slow and everything is such an effort. Thank you everyone for advice and information and I hope Sara65, MissAdventure. Mollymalone6 and all those suffering get well soon. Farview: you in particular. A long flight while you are feeling like this would not be good.

Thanks Laurely. Turns out I have a bad cold. Funny, I'm so happy but it's just because I don't have flu!! Get well soon everyone who does x

Thanks to all the recent research I make sure my gut is topped up with "good" bacteria through eating live yoghurt and fermented products such as kimchi.
Haven't had a cold or flu for over 15 years.

Esspee - Sorry, but what is kimchi? I eat live yoghurt every day, but still managed to get the virus - cough, sore throat, no energy, extreme tiredness - which has lasted about 5 weeks and seems to be doing the rounds. I take vit C and echinacea. Feeling much better now, thank goodness.

Mine seems to have resurrected itself and I'm feeling rotten again today.
I have loads to do and have done nothing much.
My legs feel like they might fall off.

Oh MissA I feel for you. That's just how I was yesterday! Hopefully like me it's just a cold. X

I'm sure it is just a cold, Molly.
I was feeling better after a couple of rough days last week.

Perhaps its a different cold?

Someone up-thread mentioned a cough that nearly makes you sick. Our family have all had that over the last few months, with one actually being sick with the cough.
In our case, other symptoms included it starting like a cold, thinking we were improving after a couple of days, then really taking a down-turn.
Loss of appetite and dulled taste-buds lasted ages. Fatigue, weakness, and several other things!
It was unpleasant and long-lasting, but didn't really resemble flu as I know it.

I'm not sure there is anything that can be done other than let it run its course, rest as much as you can, and generally try to eat well and look after yourself.

MissA many years ago I got two different flu attacks one after the other so, yes, you've probably got two different colds. So awful (passes tissue box and orange juice) x

MamaCaz, I've never been less hungry! I'm not big to begin with so guessing the "small" wardrobe will be perused for Xmas attire

I feel really sorry for you ladies. Flu/colds knock the stuffing out of you and take a long time before you begin to feel anything like human.

If your appetite is lost I can swear by Heinz cream of chicken soup to get you going again. It works for me, it being light and easy to digest.

I'm keeping everything crossed here as for the last two Christmas's I suffered dreadfully and a lot of stuff went to waste.
A drop of dark rum,lemon,honey in hot / boiled water kept me going.

I hope you ladies see the back of it before the big day.