Cold, flu or???

[AaishaDar]

Hey everyone,
Its been rough these past few days. So 4 days back I had an extremely dry thorat and with me it either goes away the next day and if not it means Im about to get very sick. Yeah the sore throat lasted three days the third day extremely painful. Then the next day I woke up with a cough, runny nose, and a slight fever also my body felt sooo weak and everything hurt. Not to mention I had to wake up 5:30 on a Saturday for dialysis    the nurse told me to be careful because since I have a low immune system I could easily get pneumonia. This is the second time this year im getting sick even with the flu shot. Few months back I had the same symptoms and it turned into bronchitis. The doctor gave me antobiotics. Im not really sure how to prevent myself from getting bronchitis or pneumonia. All of this started on Saturday so obviously I did not get a chance to see the doctor. I still have to watch my fluids otherwise Ill get fluod overloaded. Please give me tips on what to do.

[Charlie B53]

I regularly take a Vitamin C tablet daily. 1000 MG daily, but I am 220 pounds,  you may not want to take quite so much depending on your body size.

Many many years ago I started taking C in the 500 MG tablets, three times a day was too much and caused diarrhea, so I cut back to only 1000 MG daily and am fine with that dose.

IIRC Cloroseptic, either the liquid bottle with the pump sprayer, or the cough drops, may help with the dryness in your throat.

There are many types of throat/cough drops, most all can be helpful in some cases however a simple hard candy can be just as helpful, and a whole lot cheaper in the bigger bags at your major grocery store.

A hot cup of tea with a splash of lemon and honey can also be very helpful.

[smartcookie]

Do you have allergies?  Sometimes bronchitis and pneumonia starts from a sinus infection that can be from allergies.  Getting on a regular allergy medication can help, but I would see an allergist or ENT first.  Charlie's tips are great, too.  Anything to help your immune system is good.  Also, at the first sign of a cold, I would go to the doctor and see if it is viral or bacterial so you can start some medicine to help.   

[Michael Murphy]

Flu shot is not a sure way to avoid the flu.  However if you get the flu after the shot generally you get a milder version.

[kickingandscreaming]

However if you get the flu after the shot generally you get a milder version.

Ha!  That certainly wasn't my experience.  Earlier this year I got the flu.  Didn't know it was the flu until I ended up in the hospital after not being able to breathe for 2 weeks and being whacky from lack of oxygen. The actual flu was pretty uninteresting, but the "side effects" it triggered (asthma, A fib, etc) were enough to keep me in the hospital for days of prednisone and much more.

[AaishaDar]

The doctor wasnt here today but the nurse told how I was feeling. He prescribed Nyquil??? I feel i have a sinis infection though which is odd

[Charlie B53]

I have chronic sinus drainage, sometimes far worse than others.  I learned long ago not to use Afrin.  Yea, it does help for a little while, however it causes a terrible rebound effect once stopped.  Not worth it.  I poured it out, washed out the bottle and use it to make my own nasal 'flush'.  I make Holy Water by boiling the Hell out of it.  Add just a pinch of sea salt, then fill that Afrin bottle with the mixture.  Use it as necessary to flush my sinus cavities.  Much better.

I splurged and bought a quart of Eucalyptus oil, almost $75. I keep refilling a very small bottle that has an eye dropper.  I put two drops in the water tank of my CPAP at night.  The Eucalyptus aroma helps keep my sinus passages clear all night.  When the Wife or Grandson have a cold or flu I put a couple drops in the humidifier, or on a light bulb BEFORE turning on the light.  If the light is already on the bulb can be too hot and putting a wet drop on a hot bulb can cause it to break.