How could I get the flu twice?

Question

I had the flu 3 weeks ago. I had a stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing, fever and body aches. I was fine a week later. Then yesterday I started to experience the exact same symptoms again. I thought I was impossible to get the same virus twice.
Anyone have any suggestions on how I can sooth these body aches, aside from taking Tylenol or Advil? The body aches are really killing me. Everything else I have undercontrol.

I didn't take anything for it except for some decongestants at night so I could sleep. The only other things I took to relieve my symptoms were herbal tea and drinks with a lot of vitamin C in them.

I don't want to take OTCs like Tylenol or Advil because I can't afford to miss a day of school and the OTCs tend to put me to sleep.

Answer 1

I am a nurse so I hope this helps you out....If you are not allergic to Tylenol or Advil (Motrin) you can alternate every two hours with the Motrin and Tylenol. Say you take Motrin at noon, you can the take Tylenol at 2pm and another dose of Motrin at 4pm and Tylenol again at 6pm. There are no interactions between the two and they are safe to take this way. This will help with any fevers, body aches and other symptoms you may be experiencing. Make sure to wash everything (linens, clothes, etc...) and keep a antibacterial gel on hand with you at all times so when you can not wash your hands you can at least sanitize them. This will help you to get better quicker and from getting reinfected again. Drink a ton of water and try to avoid sugary juices, they actually do more harm than good at times. And make sure you get plenty of rest! Good Luck!

Answer 2

Even though it is rare, it is possible to catch the same flu virus twice. THe reason is that most adults develop a strong resistance to the virus stain 2-4 weeks after exposure to it. Your body may not have had time to fully develop antibodies against this flu strain before you were exposed again. There are 3 types of flu virus. Type A is the type that generally causes the most severe symptoms. Since the flu changes constantly, it makes it hard for your body to fight off the flu. The defenses your body built up last year will not work against the flu this year. Also remember, that a person with the flu is contagious for several days. You can get the flu from someone before they even start feeling sick. The flu can be spread by direct contact with someone, like holding their hand, or kissing them. By indirect contact, like touching a telephone, faucet, doorknob, etc. that a person with the flu has touched. Or lastly, through the air. The flu virus can get into the air when an infected person sneezes or coughs. During flu season, spending time in crowded places puts you at a greater risk for getting the flu. Treatments for the flu include: stay in bed, use a humidifier, drink lots of liquids, use a cough suppressant, take a pain reliever, like Motrin or Tylenol, stay warm, avoid tobacco and alochol products, and don't take antihistamines. You probably won't need to go the doctor. Antibiotics that they commonly give, work only against bacteria. Since the flu is a virus, they are ineffective and a waste of money.

Answer 3

i think you can get the flu more than once. It's not like chicken pox that your body builds antibodies to. It could still be the first flu though. if you are taking a lot of cold medicine to help every ache, pain, and symptom, you might just be supressing the virus, not treating it. It could be still in your system. Try not taking anything for a day or two. Letting it take it's toll will get you feeling better, faster. I've done the same thing with a cold. I kept taking cold medicine and tylenol to help but the cold lasted for a month!!

Answer 4

The flu virus mutates very quickly, and your immune system can't keep up with the new mutation, so you get sick again. The vaccine they give you only protects you from 3 strains, and those 3 strains are only the 3 they think are most likely to hit this year. But there are many different strains of the virus.

Have you tried Airborne? I've heard some people say it helps them fight off the flu faster.

Answer 5

The "flu" is an epidemic and there are categories of flus. there is the seasonal flu which may make you cough, sneeze and supply you physique aches. there is likewise the tummy flu. There are numerous hundred if no longer hundreds of varieties of flu viruses. each virus is slightly distinctive. once you get a flu, your physique tries to combat it that's why you experience so adverse. Your physique develops "antibodies" which come out of your physique attempting to combat the flu virus off. as quickly as you have that express variety of antibody you're shielded from getting that individual same appropriate flu back. yet back, there are a great variety of varieties of flu viruses. that's constantly a sturdy concept to maintain far off from of human beings who seem to be ill or say they're ill. What might seem to be a abdomen flu is additionally nutrients poisoning or a sort of alternative ailments.

Answer 6

It has been suggested that you get a new toothbrush after the flu so that you don't reinfect yourself. I have been using oil of oregano for a few years and it zaps virus's like i've never experienced before

Answer 7

there are many many strains of the flu virus, you may have had one the first time and another the second. as for the body aches, i used heating pads. feel better :)

Answer 8

You could get the flu 2 if you are around someone that had the flu and the flu is very contagious

Answer 9

my 2 year old had the flu and i got it,throwing up,fever,achy and finally got over it then 2 weeks later my 4 yr. old got it and i got it again so it is definaetly possible despite my scrubbing everything,new toothbrushes,etc.lots of rest,fluids and advil or something for the achiness!!

Answer 10

i used to get flu every month ...no joke, this went on for just over a year then i worked out it musta bin the air conditioning at my old work place and when i left..well walked out...i never had flu again..last year tho i had to have the flu and pneumonia injection for other health resons