[Angelonthemove]

I have had this cough, soar throat sneezing, runningnose and hot and cold flushes for the last 3 weeks. I have been told others have it it for more than 7 weeks and cannot shift it. Anyone found a cure yet over the counter or from their doctor???? Or is it a case of grin and bear it!

Its wearing me out as I have just started a new job so cant take time off. any ideas appreciated.

[mossum]

sorry to say but ........

in the 10 months we've been here hubby has had 1 bout & i've has 2 bouts of this type of thing - both needed me to take a wholeweek off work !!!! (never used any sick pay for the previous 6 years ) The virus hung around for ages weeks & weeks too - I was beginning to wonder if I'd ever feel well again TBH ! hopefully my immune system is super strong now though !

keep warm & lots of fluids :p

vic x

[barryp]

Yeah - rest, relax, drink lots of fluids (alcohol and coffee don't count).

My doctor told me that last week was his busiest in ages - huge numbers of people experiencing long-lasting viral infections. And right now every single one of my peers at work has some sort of acute illness. Time to resume working at home!

[swissmissdesigner]

Did you try acupuncture? Its always help me with herbal pills and teas.

[Ana&Steve]

I've heard that honey, especially local honey, does all kinds of nice things for your immune system, and helps you acclimate to your new environment. Plus a teaspoon of honey is good for your sore throat.:)
Take care, Angela, hope you feel better soon!
Ana

[pinkpiggy]

Sam was complaining of a sore throat etc. for the first weeks in NZ. Haven't heard him complain recently though so I would say it lasted for about 6 weeks.

Hope you get better soon.

[speckythecky]

remember some of your granny's remedies.
Hot soup, (chicken broth)
Plenty of warm drinks, (Hot water with a bit of honey)
Lots of Vitamin C,

I wouldn't go for the goose grease rubbed on the chest though.

Hope you are feeling better soon.

[Ana&Steve]

Ooo! Thought of another thing, (sorry, haven't been sick for while, I forgot how I deal with it:o ) it reminded me when Specky mentioned Vit. C; we take Echinacea when we think we are catching something, and it also speeds recovery. I think it helps your body produce more white blood cells. You're not supposed to take it for long periods of time though.
Also heard the Vitamin C and Zinc will help you get well faster.:)
Ana

[westies]

It seems things are particularly bad this year, 1 school in Auckland closed a week early for holidays as 200 kids were off sick!!!!

[Joanne100]

Yeah i had it, i didnt feel "right" for weeks couldnt say what was wrong if anyone asked me i just knew i wasnt 100%, and then it hit me i was in bed for a week, wasnt flu ive had that in the past and it wasnt that bad, but i felt and looked rough!
I think the best thing is to just give in to it, dont fight it just take yourself off to bed! i carried on working and i think it made me worse, i know most people cant just take a week off work, but i wish i had sooner then maybe it wouldnt have lasted the 4-5 weeks that it did.
I really dont think taking all those fancy stuff is the answer it all just costs a fortune and do any of them really work?
Water, pain killer and lots of rest, and maybe a spoonful of honey and lemon :yes

[liamnrach]

Hope you get better soon! There's lots of good advice here.....

I had the same (but I live in the UK) for four weeks....I used one of my mum's old remedies to rid me of the beastly virus...

Hot Toddy

There are many varients but I used a tot of whiskey, a little lemon juice (splash), some honey (for sweetness) and hot water (just before the kettle switches itself off, so not boiling)....

First, pour some whiskey into a mug, add the lemon juice and then the hot water to the top , spoon in the honey and stir.....

You can vary the amount of whiskey and even use brandy/bourbon the choice is yours. I took this before I went to bed and it made me sleep like the preverbial baby!

Very tasty!! And certainly did the trick for me!! I even have them now when I'm not poorly:laugh

Cheers:cheers

Liam n Rach

[xanctus]

Yes, here I am...got this cold almost a month now. One of the worst is no voice in the past weeks.

[Angelonthemove]

Well I finally gave up and went to the doctors and have antibiotics for infected sinuses. Increase my inhalers but feel a bit better but today feel worse and have ulcers coming back.

Its goodish to hear when others have the same ailments feel you are not alone.

I like the hot toddy idea, good excuse.

Honey yes I have heard re local honey helps so will do that too, as have some for cooking with.

Can't take time off just taking it easy for now.

thanks for all your ideas

[Tia Maria]

We've had visitors who have had long standing colds/viruses etc, I guess in their case its a combination of exposure to a different countries bugs, long haul flights, cold houses and having to play non-stop with my 3 children!

I know everyone else has suggested all sorts of natural things but I find Otrivin Decongestant Nasal Spray good. It was suggested to me by a doctor when one of my children kept getting mild ear infections, painful but too mild for antibiotics. You don't have to have a completely blocked nose as it seems to ease mild ear and throat pain even if your nose isn't blocked.

We only have the junior version and I use it on the boys and myself at the first sign of a cold and its been a lifesaver, not only do their ears hurt less but it seems to stop it developing into a full blown problem.

For mouth ulcers and sore throats Difflam spray is really good. It has a directional nozzle and you spray on the painful area. This one was suggested to me for mouth ulcers that kept coming back, it numbed them for a short while but the best thing was once they were gone they stayed gone. I think someone said that mouth ulcers tend to last for x amount of days no matter what you do, not sure if that is true or not.

And my natural remedy for sore throats - chocolate ice cream! :D

Hope you all feel better soon.

Cheers

Tia