Flu or influenza is a viral infection caused by the influenza virus. It is a mild but distressing illness that
shows its symptoms after 1 to 3 days of acquiring the infection. The infection may be transmitted from
an infected individual by direct contact, fomites, or through the air. The illness has an average duration
of 3 to 5 days where the third day is supposedly the most distressing of all when all the symptoms are at
their peak.
The most common symptoms include mild to moderate fever, nasal discharge or nasal obstruction,
sneezing, cough, general body aches, headache, weakness and malaise. The distress is more during the
night as the body’s immune systems respond to an inflammation more actively during the night.
A complete rest for the body for 3 days may be provided to assist with quick recovery.
The major accessory managements are to keep well hydrated and maintain regular intake of mild and easily
digestible food. The nasal obstruction during sleep may be helped by steam inhalation and holding a
slightly upright position of the head during sleep. The fever may be kept under control with wet
compresses on the forehead or mild sponging of the body with water at room temperature.
The treatment that may be provided are the antiviral treatments according to the allopathic system.
The symptomatic treatment as per homoeopathic system of medicine has been found to be extremely
effective. There are several medicine such as Arsenicum Album, Belladonna, Bryonia, Pulsatilla, Rhus
Toxicodendron, Nux Vomica, etc., which may be taken according to a doctor’s prescription for quick
relief of the symptoms from a flu.
Although it is a self-containing disease, inappropriate management or exposure to further bacterial or
viral infections may lead to complications.