I was so proud of myself for finally getting the flu shot this year. Little did I know that while the shot protects you against the most prevalent strain in any given year it doesn’t protect you against EVERY strain. That is why, after 3 days of hacking a coughing and trying to convince myself that what I was experiencing was just “a cold” the very people in admitting who quickly put a mask on me and hustled me away from the other people who waited until the IU game was over to drive to the ER said “nah, it’s the flu”.
A cold and the flu or Influenza if you want to be politically correct are both caused by viruses, but most importantly you should know they are very different viruses. While both of these “I don’t want to have them illnesses” have similar symptoms flu symptoms are more intense and extreme and can have more serious consequences.
Colds and the flu give us runny noses, congestion and sore throats. Flu can also add headache, body ache, nausea, and pneumonia, truly more than just a nuisance and inconvenience. With a cold you’ll be sick for 4 to 7 days with the flu count on about 2 weeks before you start to really feel like yourself again.
Just remember to drink lots and lots and lots of fluids. Water, juice, clear broth and can helps loosen up the congestion and helps prevent the onset of dehydration. Don’t drink that hot toddy, alcohol, coffee and caffeinated beverages can dehydrate you which can lead to serious medical consequences. If you even think you have the flu, call and/or go see your doctor. While there are no cures there are medicines they can suggest that can really help you get through the worst of the sniffles, sore throat, coughs and aching head.
The following recipes have all be sent to me at one time or another by readers touting them as the best way to make a miserable time slightly less so.
