Who wants to spend days in bed suffering from a cold or flu? Feeling weak, dizzy, and not wanting to eat is a very annoying thing. So we all try to get well as quickly as possible. But sometimes, some of the things we do in the hope of getting well quickly can unknowingly make our illness worse. Today, let's talk about some common mistakes that we usually make when we get a cold or flu. If you avoid these, you can recover quickly.
What are these mistakes we unknowingly make when we are sick?
We all make one or more of these mistakes. Think about how many of them you make. You might be surprised. To make it easier to understand, let's look at this in a table.
| Common mistakes we make | This is what you really need to do. |
|---|---|
| 1. Powering Through | Your body needs energy to fight the illness. So, put aside all your usual activities and prioritize rest. Forget about office work, homework, and schoolwork and stay in bed. This will help your body heal faster and will also prevent you from spreading the illness to others. |
| 2. Ignoring flu symptoms | A common cold doesn't necessarily require a visit to the doctor. But if you have symptoms of the flu, such as a high fever, body aches , and extreme fatigue , see a doctor right away. He or she may prescribe an antiviral drug, such as Oseltamivir (Tamiflu). These can help reduce symptoms and help you recover within a day or two if taken within the first 48 hours of your symptoms. |
| 3. Not sleeping properly | When you don't get enough sleep, your immune system weakens. That is, the body's germ-fighting army weakens. One study found that people who sleep less than 6 hours a day are four times more likely to get sick than those who sleep at least 7 hours. So, go to bed earlier at night and take a nap during the day. If you're having trouble sleeping at night because of a cough, try putting some honey in your throat. You can also use a humidifier in your room if you have difficulty breathing. |
| 4. Forcing the doctor to prescribe antibiotics | This is a big mistake that many people make. Colds and flu are caused by viruses. Antibiotics only work by killing bacteria. Therefore, antibiotics will not cure a virus. Using them unnecessarily can cause side effects like diarrhea and allergies. What's more, it leads to antibiotic resistance, a major health problem worldwide. |
| 5. Not drinking enough water | It's tempting to drink water when you have a sore throat. But when you drink plenty of fluids, your mucus will thin and your chest will feel less tight. It will also prevent headaches. So drink plenty of water. In addition, drinking a warm drink like cilantro, ginger tea, or chicken broth will help your body feel great. |
| 6. Not eating | It's normal to feel like you're not eating when you're sick. But it's important to eat something. The calories and nutrients in the food you eat give your immune cells energy. That energy is what helps them fight off viruses. The result? You'll feel better faster. Drinking a cup of chicken soup is great. Even research has proven it. |
| 7. Smoking | Smoking damages your lungs and increases your risk of throat infections. This can make your cold symptoms worse. So, stay away from cigarettes, vape pens, and other things like that. Secondhand smoke is also bad for you. |
| 8. Being under stress | When you are stressed, the hormones produced in your body are not good for your immune system. They also increase inflammation in your body. This can make your nasal congestion worse. So, try to stay calm and rest . Then you will be able to get up quickly. |
Let's learn a little more about antibiotics.
This is a very important topic, so let's talk a little more in depth. It is a common practice in our country to go to the pharmacy and ask for a "blue pill" or some other antibiotic as soon as you get a cold .
The most important thing is: The common cold and flu are caused by viruses. Antibiotics cannot kill viruses.
So why does a doctor sometimes prescribe antibiotics for a cold? There is a reason for that. Sometimes, when the body is weakened by a viral infection, a secondary bacterial infection can develop. For example, the mucus turns yellow, which is similar to a chest infection. Only in such cases, on the advice of a doctor, should antibiotics be used.
What happens when we take antibiotics unnecessarily is that the bacteria in our bodies become accustomed to the medicine. Then, when we actually have a bacterial infection and take the medicine, it stops working. This is what we call antibiotic resistance . This is a serious problem worldwide. So, never take antibiotics on your own. Always follow your doctor's instructions.
A few more simple tips for a quick recovery
- Gargle with salt water: Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and gargle with that water several times a day to provide great relief from a sore throat.
- Maintain good ventilation: Keep the windows in your room open and ensure good ventilation. This will reduce the accumulation of germs .
- Eat nutritious foods: Eat small amounts of easily digestible, nutrient-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. These will give your body the energy it needs to fight the disease.
Being sick is a hassle. But, with a little patience, proper rest, and giving your body what it needs, you can recover quickly and get back to your normal life.
Take-Home Message
- The first and best thing to do when you're sick is to rest . Give your body time to heal.
- Know the difference between a common cold and the flu. If you have symptoms like high fever and body aches, see a doctor immediately .
- Antibiotics do not work for viral infections. Never take them without a doctor's prescription.
- Drink plenty of water and fluids. Also, eat some nutritious food, even if you don't feel like eating.
- Avoid smoking and stress. These will delay your healing process.
common cold, flu, antibiotics, recovery, wellness, Sri Lanka
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