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Sometimes all you want, all you need is instant relief from that nasty flu bug. Flu affects our bodies in a way that makes our immune system react in horrible ways. We have high fevers, chills, nausea, diarrhea, aches and pains and are absolutely exhausted. Here are a few over-the-counter drugs that help you to function while fighting off the flu bug.
 | Decongestants help clear your sinuses by
temporarily shrinking the blood vessels in your
nose |
Antiviral prescriptions are the best and most effective way to be rid of the flu. Antivirals ease symptoms and stop the virus in its tracks. The only catch is that antivirals must be taken within the first 12-48 hours of experiencing influenza symptoms to be effective.
There are four antivirals approved by the FDA: oseltamivir (tamiinfluenza), Zanamivir (relenza), Amantadine (symmetrel), and Rimantadine (influenzamadine). Antivirals can safely be used to treat children as young as 12 months.
Analgesics are pain relievers and help to relieve aches and pains as well as reduce your fever. They block pain signals to the brain. Acetaminophen is the most common analgesic because it relieves mild to moderate pain and is fairly inexpensive. You can find acetaminophen in over 600 over the counter drugs.
Antihistamines prevent irritating histamines from attaching themselves to your cells thus reducing itching, sneezing, a runny nose and watery eyes. Antihistamines safely and commonly are used to treat the symptoms of allergies, colds, and the flu.
Expectorants help to clear mucus and phlegm from your lungs. They are different from cough suppressants.
Cough suppressants help to quiet and lessen your urge to cough. Only use cough suppressants if you have a dry cough and aren't coughing mucus up. Mucus in your respiratory tract needs be coughed up or your sickness will linger and could worsen.
Decongestants help clear your sinuses by temporarily shrinking the blood vessels in your nose and reducing blood flow so that swollen tissue shrinks. This allows air to pass through your nostrils more easily. Decongestants are available in pill form as pseudoephedrine, which come in the brand names Contac Non-Drowdy and Sudafed, or phenylephrine which comes in the brand name Sudafed PE.
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