GATORADE OR WATER FOR THE FLU?

If you have the flu, doctors would usually advise that you eat nourishing food if you feel up to it, rest, and, most importantly, drink plenty of fluids. Fever causes you to lose a lot of fluid, so you need to replace what is lost by drinking more.

If you're not eating, then taking your fluid in the form of soup may be a good idea. Also, electrolyte solutions like Gatorade and Powerade may be good options, but for most people, plain water is usually sufficient. It's likely you won't feel like doing much activity, so staying in bed is fine. Get up when you feel you can.

Though water is reccomended and naturally your body's favorite liquid, gatorade or a pedialite drink is also enjoyed by children. If your child has trouble ingesting water, you may want to try a more flavorable approcah. But can your child drink gatorade? Any child who can drink fruit juice, milk, soft drinks, and similar beverages can drink Gatorade.

In fact, scientific research shows that physically active children will drink more Gatorade than water and therefore stay better hydrated. (Adults also benefit in a similar fashion.) Gatorade provides about half the calories of an identical serving size of fruit juice or soft drink. By U.S. FDA standards, an eight-ounce serving of Gatorade is a low-sodium food. Gatorade has 110 mg of sodium, the same as an eight-ounce glass of milk or one slice of bread. For infants, Gatorade does not pose any risk to infants; however, because an infant's fluids needs are normally met by drinking breast milk or formula, consumption of beverages other than formula or breast milk may deprive the infant of additional necessary nutrients (e.g. fat, protein and vitamins) .

Children who are ill Pediatricians often recommend Gatorade for children that are suffering from mild dehydration due to diarrhea or the flu. However, as is the case with any illness, it is best to consult a pediatrician to determine the best needs of the child. In addition to drinking lots of fluid, you may want to follow some other basic advice while fighting the flu. Some over-the-counter medicines may make you feel better. These include decongestants, antihistamines, and pain medicines.

But remember that most people won't need to take these products, and they may even be harmful to some people, particularly those with heart disease, high blood pressure, or other respiratory problems. Cough medicines may help, but it's most important to be drinking enough fluid. Over-the-counter analgesics, or pain medicines, also suppress fevers, which could prolong the course of the infection.

However, take them if you feel very uncomfortable. Older people and those with heart and lung disease may also need to suppress the fever to reduce the strain on their heart and lungs. Stick with non-aspirin products, since aspirin has been associated with Reye's syndrome, a potentially fatal complication that mostly affects children and adolescents.

There are four antiviral drugs for the treatment and prevention of influenza. For influenza A, there are amantadine (also sold under the brand name Symmetrel) and rimantadine (which has a brand name of Flumadine). To treat and prevent both influenza A and B, there is zanamivir (with brand name Relenza) and oseltamivir (also know as Tamiflu). All of these drugs are oral pills except Relenza, which is inhaled like an asthma medication. Secondary infections may also need to be treated.

If you find that your symptoms aren't clearing up or they started to and they are now getting worse again, you may have a secondary infection. Influenza makes everyone more susceptible to other infections. See your doctor for appropriate diagnosis and treatment.