next »

[sleepyone]

Please excuse if this is too mundane of a health issue on the job... but I have a lot of teaching to do and can't seem to shake a cold/flu thing.  It started as a stomach flu type thing which got better as the headcold set in.  Now I'm sneezy, coughing, stuffing, nose-running, and headachey.  My work and home atmosphere are nice and rural, but I feel exhausted by commuting to my kitchen!  I think I can make it to work, but I'd love to be healthier.  I've tried tea, Robitussin, advil, emergenC, other vitamins, and positive thinking so far. Any favored remedies?  Many thanks!!!

P.S. I intend to go to the doctor soon at my wife's suggestion...just don't want to cancel classes this early in the semester.

[llanfair]

Poor you! Here are my favourites:

- gargling with warm, well-salted water (don't swallow, ugh);
- lots of OJ or any other juice;
- dress in layers so you can adjust for low-grade fever;
- acetaminophen for aches/fever;
- the comfiest clothes you own, including shoes;
- plan your energy expenditure(s) with care, and don't go far from a chair - if you can teach sitting down, do it.

Repeat as needed.  And best wishes for a speedy recovery!

[oseph]

I know this is not what you want to hear, but canceling one class to allow for recuperation now is worth it when you consider that if you don't recover adequately, you can be sick for 2-3 weeks yet, or at least very run-down for the next month, and that will affect your teaching.  I say this as someone who has four friends, all of whom trudged heroically through bad colds, only to have the sickness and symptoms linger for 2-4 weeks.  And I say this as someone who trudges heroically through bad colds myself.  If you still want to push on, then in addition to Llanfair's list, I'd recommend Benadryl/Nyquil taken around 6 pm, allowing for a good 12-hour sleep if your symptoms allow uninterrupted sleep.  And soup of course.  If homemade is not possible, I find (if you are not vegetarian) that ordering Hot and Sour or Wonton soup from your nearest Chinese delivery place works wonders.

[msparticularity]

The progression of symptoms you're describing sounds to me like what a bunch of us here had early last fall--which may have been H1N1. Have you had the vaccine? In any case, I agree with Oseph that it's important to take adequate care of yourself so you can recover. Also, of course, your colleagues and students will NOT be grateful if you are such a workaholic that you spread this to them also.

[prof_smartypants]

There are a lot of neat remedies out there but this topic made me think of something people used to do in the past. I've heard that mixing alcohol with syrup was how they used to deal with sickness. I've even had people suggest that to me. It sure could help you relax and stay down for a while. It might be an old wive's tale.

You mean like Vicks 44 or Robitussin?

I really like the Tylenol Flu packets (they have day and night) - combines the heat/steam of tea with the medicine you need to feel better.

For congestion, I always take mucinex - just very strong expectorant that makes a huge difference if you're experiencing sinus headaches.

[elsie]

I'm a big fan of Mucinex-D, a good expectorant with Pseudephedrine for sinus congestion. You have to get it at the pharmacy counter because of the meth regulations, but it's worth it.