Been pretty miserable the past few days, having been hit very unexpectedly with a nasty bout of the flu. Have had everything from an excruciatingly sore throat to ringing ears, fever, throbbing head, runny nose, stuffed sinuses … And through it all, an incredibly groggy brain and absolutely zero energy. You get the picture.
Now I’m one that has no patience for being unwell. There is just too much to do to waste time in bed, feeling blah. I’m not one to run to the drug store for pharmaceuticals though, as I’m rather susceptible to the side effects … so that’s always a last resort for me … especially in another country. Instead, I hole up with liquids, movies, books and a comfy bed and couch. Usually a little R&R and I’m back to the races in no time. That hasn’t been the case the last few days though. I’d been hit hard and have been down for the count. By Night 3, I’d hit the over the counter flu relieves, and today, after coughing up lovely yellow stuff from my lungs all afternoon, I finally called a real doctor and got some real drugs tonight.
All this got me thinking, what would I have done had I been on the road or in another country? I certainly have been in no condition the past few days to even go for a stroll around the neighbourhood, let alone take part in full action packed travel days. And with how much pain my sinuses have already been in, the idea of stepping on a plane in this condition makes me positively cringe. So what would I do?
As much as I’d hate to waste valuable time in bed, sleeping it off, while there are adventures to be had, I realize this is probably what would have to be done, along with consuming lots of fluids. And even though I hate unnecessary drugs, I’ll be adding some Beechams Flu Plus to the Travel First Aid Kit.
Curious to know what others do, I asked across the social feeds, and here are the responses I got:
- Kat Code: Ginger tea with crushed garlic, a dash of cayenne, fresh-squeezed lemon juice and honey to taste.
- Yvette Vigor: Chicken soup, hot whiskey and an early night.
- The Time-Crunched Traveler: I stay in bed.
- Panorama Retreat: Drink plenty of liquids.
- Christian Germany: Drugs. And tea.
Would love to update the posts with your ways of dealing with the flu on the road. Just add your tips in the comments below, and I’ll update with a link to your site.
Oh gosh! Being sick on the road is the worst. You’re not in familiar surroundings or your own bed. (I;m a creature of comfort so when I don’t feel good I just want to be in my own digs!) Sleeping and lots of fluid is what I try to do. SO sorry you’ve been unwell. Hope you feel better soon!
Thanks Courtney!
Have been lucky enough not to have the flu while traveling but if it did happen I would do the same as at home. Lots of fluids, lots of sleep and if I was still sick after 3 days with no signs of improvement, drugs.
Yep, that’s what I ended up doing.
I would never want to be sick on the road. That is the worst! Really no way to beat the flu except sleeping 15 hours a day and sweating it out – that always works for me.
That’s indeed what I ended up doing Scott.
It must be that time of year, I just arrived in Maui with a head cold.
Oh nasty. Nothing worse than a head cold on a flight.
Hell, that could be my garbage can at the moment. It was literally overflowing with tissues until I emptied it a half hour ago.
I’ve been subscribing to lots of hot, steamy showers and bed rest.
In Korea they had some wonderfully spicy broths that would just burn the shit out of you. I miss that.
Those kind of ethnic remedies are always the best Chris.
Poor thing — I think that flu might have been worldwide this week! My lifesaver when I got sick in India was a travel buddy who I had ZERO self-consciousness around (she stayed in the bathroom while I showered in case I passed out… that’s friendship!). But I know not all are so lucky…
That certainly is friendship.
Bad Luck – I have been lucky (touches Wood) that I have never had Flu whilst travelling.
Tristan
Yeah, never fun Tristan.
It’s true that you can’t control if you’re sick or not when you travel. I’ve sometimes worried about this myself whenever I’m about to go on a big trip. I’m glad though that I read this because now I have some good tips if this does happen.
Thanks Mary!
Being ill on the road is the worst especially with this kind of flu. This is especially true if you are not good at traveling.
No fun being ill on the road, especially in a foreign country that doesn’t carry the medicine you are used to. I usually get hit with bad colds. One thing I’ve found that helps is boosting my immunity before travel. Everyone is different but bee pollen really helped me with this. In fact, I was expecting to get sick on my last trip so brought my own medicine from home. Ended up not needing it and giving it to my friend who was sick! Thanks for sharing the above tips!
It’s better to be safe than sorry, that’s why whenever I go on a trip a pack some medicine with me, even if sometimes my friends make fun of me because I pack to much, but that doesn’t bother me, cause I get to make fun of them when they ask me for my medicine.