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1. Bed rest can help you feel better. It will also help avoid spreading the virus to others. Infected family members should be kept apart from the main living areas.

2. Drink plenty of fluids to replace those lost from fever. Fluids also ease a scratchy throat and keep nasal mucus thin. Hot tea with lemon, water, fruit juice, and soup are all good choices. A person with a fever should not eat heavy meals. Clear fluids and broths will be better on their stomach. If the flu sufferer becomes dehydrated the body cannot fight off the virus.

3. If fever is uncomfortable, take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to lower it. You may also sponge the body with lukewarm water to reduce fever. Do not use cold water or ice. Lowering the fever will not make symptoms go away faster, but it may make the flu sufferer more comfortable.

4. To relieve body aches and headache, take aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen. Do not take aspirin if flu sufferer is younger than 20 unless a doctor tells you to do so. Also, aspirin and ibuprofen can upset the stomach, while acetaminophen does not.

5. Try a decongestant or nasal spray if for a stuffy nose. Look for a single-ingredient decongestant that contains phenylephrine. If nasal drainage is thick, a decongestant that contains guaifenesin may help keep it thin and drain. Do not use medicated nasal sprays or drops more often than directed.

6. Breathe moist air from a hot shower or from a sink filled with hot water to help clear a stuffy nose. Avoid antihistamines. They do not treat flu symptoms and may make nasal drainage thicker

7. If the skin around the nose and lips becomes sore from repeated rubbing with tissues, apply a bit of petroleum jelly to the area

8. Use cough drops or plain, hard candy to help ease coughing. Take a nonprescription cough medicine that contains dextromethorphan if a dry, hacking cough develops. Some products contain a high percentage of alcohol. Use them with caution. Children should not be given any medication with alcohol in it at any time.

9. Elevate the head with an extra pillow if coughing keeps prevents rest. The may also help with general chest congestion.

10. Avoid smoking and breathing secondhand smoke. This is good advice any time, but it is especially important when there is a respiratory infection or the flu

11. In some instances people develop bowel complaints with influenza. If the flu sufferer develops diarrhea, it is even more important to make sure they have plenty of fluids. (see #2)

During recovery:

If a flu sufferer has not had any food for longer than 72 hours or has had a persistent fever accompanied by vomiting and/or diarrhea, it is extremely important that you introduce solid food back into their diet slowly. You should start with water and clear fluids (give a better explanation here).

It is very important to take any influenza infections seriously. Possible complications of flu include:

Pneumonia, which is an inflammation of the lungs. Some people are at increased risk for developing a specific type of pneumonia.

Primary influenza viral pneumonia, which occurs most often in people who have heart disease. It develops soon (24 to 36 hours) after flu symptoms start and does not get better with antibiotics. It rarely causes death in young, healthy people, but it can often be life-threatening in older adults, people who have other diseases, and pregnant women.

Secondary bacterial pneumonia, which occurs most often in older adults and people who have lung disease, heart problems, and other diseases. Secondary bacterial pneumonia most often develops after a period of improvement following classic flu. People with this type of pneumonia usually get better with antibiotics.

Bronchiolitis, which is an inflammation of the small air passages (bronchioles). Bronchiolitis usually affects children younger than 2 years of age and is the leading cause of serious lower respiratory illness in infants.

Sinusitis, which is an infection or inflammation of the mucous membranes that line the inside of the nose and facial sinuses. Facial sinuses are hollow spaces, or cavities, located around the eyes, cheeks, and nose.

Croup, which is a swelling or obstruction in the windpipe (trachea). It causes a distinctive hoarseness and a barking cough, a high-pitched sound (stridor) heard when breathing in, and difficulty breathing.

Worsening of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis), inflammation of muscles (myositis), or inflammation of the sac around the heart (pericarditis).

Fatigue and a lack of energy that persist after flu symptoms are gone. People may take several weeks to fully recover, although no cause for the symptoms has been identified.