Does this sound like a cold? Flu? I'm miserable. Please help.?

NAUSEA:

*Sip room temp ginger ale. Nibble some ginger snaps. If you can get powdered ginger into your guts, that's the most effective natural remedy. I sometimes put it in capsules & swallow it, or I mix some in with applesauce. It doesn't taste great, but it works. You know you've had enough when you burp & taste ginger.

*Room temp, FLAT cola. Or coke syrup. Emetrol is the same type of stuff if they don't have coke syrup at the store. I have even gone to the McDonald's drive-thru in a pinch & asked for coke syrup. They gave me some!

*When I'm desperate & I have nothing else at home & do NOT feel up to running out to the store, I take a Dramamine (meclazine). It will help you sleep a few hours & take away your dizziness & nausea for a while.

*Clear liquids for now. Tea & juice at room temp, not cold. Cold will further shock & upset your stomach. Drink only 1 or 2 ounces at a time.

*FOOD: only if you can: eat light carbohydrates in small amounts- toast or crackers. As your tummy de-nauseates, graduate to light protein, like chicken breast or fish. Fatty foods are the last thing to add to your diet.

*ACUPRESSURE POINTS: Apply pressure to the webbing between your thumb & index finger on either hand. Use firm, deep pressure & a rapid massaging movement for several minutes. I don't mean caress it. Using the same kind of motion & pressure, rub with your thumb or thumbnail on the top of your foot between the tendons of the second & third toes.

*The last option is to go ahead & allow yourself to vomit. This does not mean MAKE yourself vomit. That is not recommended.

SINUSES, NOSE, THROAT, AND LUNGS:

Boil some salty water in a pot on the stove. Turn off the burner. Blow your nose & cough out some phlegm. Make a steam hood by draping a small-to-medium-sized towel over your head & the pot. Breathe the salty steam in your nose, out your mouth several times. Breathe some in your mouth & out your nose a few times as well. Blow your nose often. Keep this up until the steam stops. You can do this trick a few times throughout the day until you feel better. Salt is great.

OVER THE COUNTER MEDS TO TRY:

**Sinus decongestant: Phenylephrine 5mg. You don't necessarily need all the extras it's often mixed with.

**Expectorant: Guaifenisen (Mucinex is the brand name, but it's way cheaper at dollar stores. Always read ingredients!!) liquefies your mucus so it's much easier to expel. But you have to drink TONS of water or it won't work, & you must be near a bathroom because it makes you pee a lot. (yet causes constipation... another reason to stay hydrated!)

**Pain, inflammation, body aches, headache, fever: Ibuprofen (Advil) should be alternated with Acetaminophen (Tylenol).

IMPORTANT! IMMUNE SYSTEM SUPPORT:

-Stay home. (even one day can make a difference. plus, you'll keep your germs to yourself.)

-Sleep!!

-Drink plenty of water. (8 8oz servings a day=bare minimum!! pee out those germs & flush 'em away!!)

-Take vitamin C, zinc, and echinacea.

-Eat garlic. (sorry, but it really is great for your health! and it will give you a good reason to stay home. hehe)

-Wash hands well & often. Moisturize skin to keep from cracking your hands to bits.

-Avoid milk & chocolate, which thicken your mucus and make your fight that much harder.

-Moderate exercise helps too!

NOTE: the meds and garlic are harsh, so don't take them on an empty or upset stomach.

COUGHING FITS:

>DAY: Mucinex and water. (generic is fine, and cheap!) Cough it out while you're awake.

>NIGHT: Delsym (cough suppressant, DEXTROMETHORPHAN). Get some restful, coughless sleep.

HOMEMADE EXPECTORANTS: Mix very hot water, cayenne pepper, white vinegar, and honey. >GARGLE & SPIT OUT!!!!!!!<

Or drink hot water with lemon and honey.

NOTE: I am not a doctor or nurse. Consult a medical professional to tailor any of the above suggestions to your particular circumstances, especially taking into consideration your weight, age, health, whether you're pregnant or nursing. FEEL BETTER SOON!

Post nasal drip (PND) is a characteristic of rhinitis and rhinitis may be connected to allergies and it also has non-allergic causes. If you had true PND, it's possible that it caused the sore throat. And post nasal drip can cause upper respiratory infections.

On the other hand, this could be a viral infection in its own right. Nasal congestion and inflamed nasal membranes restrict air intake and this can make you dizzy & nauseous. There are a number of ways you can have fluid loss and a fever is one of them. A dry, hot room is another way. So yes you'll get thirsty and yes if you drink a lot of water you'll urinate often.

Give yourself supportive care and treat your symptoms. You can treat the fever, sore throat and the body aches with one medication -- Tylenol or ibuprofen, your choice. You can also treat the sore throat with Chloraseptic anesthetic throat spray, lozenges and/or dissolving strips. Use a decongestant to dry up your nose. In fact, use a combination antihistamine-decongestant. The nausea should go away with improved air flow. Breathe Right nasal strips can also help. Drink plenty of fluids all day long but taper off toward bedtime. Make sure you continue to practice good oral hygiene. The mouth has millions of viruses & bacteria in it.

Hope ya feel better soon.

Apart from taking Paracetamol (Panadol/Tylenol) depending the country U are in. OR Ibuprofen.

If in Australia, U understand, If in the US, ask your Drug store about these tablets.

including the Sudefed.

Sudefed is often NOW in Australia, necessary to be prescibed by a doctor.

Do U also have availablility to Sudefed.

Sudefed, provided U do not have BP, will fix your problem more rapidly.

U have a COLD.

I doubt the Flu.

Depending on your age.. and what I say now IS NOT a witchcraft remedy and has been around since the 1st world war.

At Hotels, U can buy Brandy in very small bottles (flask type) U can also buy there whats called

"hospital brandy"..A small glass does wonders for sleep, the runny nose, sore throat, fever.

It must be the "Hospital Brandy" type.

drink it warm.>>>depending on your age??

Sounds like a flu. Rest as much as you can take some nyquil to help you sleep that stuff works wonders. Also drink as much liquid as possible hot water or hot lemonade with some honey and/or ginger will help clear your nose and soothe the coughing. You can also try a warm bath to help with the chills and body aches. Good luck and feel better soon!

From Years of Experience....that's the FLU.

Sounds a great deal like the flu indeed, that virus sure knows how to make one miserable.

Try to make yourself as comfortable as you can, always have liquids at hand, and wait it out, that's all you can do. If it gets bad (very high fever, lasting symptoms or difficulty to breathe) call the doctor.

You have a virus ,paracetamol will bring temp down ,if you have it bad by tomorrow phone the free NHS advice line up for advice ,