Post flu fatigue

Getting your strength back after swine flu

Boots pharmacist, Angela Chalmers, says, "As with any sort of influenza, the severity and duration of symptoms will vary depending on treatment and individual circumstances. Most cases reported in the UK to date have been relatively mild, with those affected starting to recover within a week."

What happens after a bout of swine flu?

For those who have already suffered from swine flu and are now on the mend, getting back on their feet and heading back to work can prove difficult. Whilst symptoms are expected to subside after around five days, it is worth considering the impact that flu can have on your body, sometimes leaving you feeling tired, headachy and weak for some while longer.

What can I do to aid a swift recovery?

Angela Chalmers and Boots nutritionist, Vicky Pennington, give some advice on how best to support a full recovery and get back to feeling your best:

Eat well
Vicky says, "Flu can rob your body of essential nutrients and vitamins, especially if you suffered from stomach upsets and lack of appetite, so you need to make sure you eat a well balanced diet to restore your body to health. Make sure you eat a wide variety of foods, including the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables a day to ensure you get a range of nutrients, including vitamins and minerals. Try not to allow yourself to indulge in too much comfort food as you regain your appetite and start getting your strength back, as some foods contain no nutritional benefits."

Consider supporting your body's recovery with vitamins and supplements
Because food intake is usually limited during a bout of the flu, additional vitamins, alongside a healthy and balanced diet in the weeks following, are a great way to help the body replenish its stores of essential nutrients.

Drink plenty of water
An illness such as flu can leave your fluid levels low, so make sure you keep well hydrated even after your symptoms have started to improve. Try to drink at least six to eight glasses of water or other fluids a day: even more when you have a high temperature.

Get plenty of sleep
Lack of sleep is detrimental to your immune system, so make sure you get plenty of rest post-flu to allow your body to re-build its defences. Angela Chalmers suggests, "When you sleep, your body is recovering and restoring itself. If you don't sleep well this means that your body is not getting a chance to go through its sleep cycles. These are different zones of sleep that your body needs to complete in order to keep body functions in tip-top condition."

"To aid a good night's sleep, make sure you keep regular bedtime hours. Avoid caffeine and alcohol during the evening, take a warm bath, ensure your bedroom is well-ventilated and, lastly, keep your bedroom a place for sleep and ban the TV."

Take some gentle exercise
Exercise might be the last thing people worry about when they are ill but mild exertion while you are recovering can be very beneficial. Once your main symptoms have subsided, gentle exercise can stimulate blood flow, which can help flush toxins from the body and help you sleep, as well as make you feel better. Ensure you are not around other people during this time if you still have symptoms.