IV Therapy for Cold and Flu
Most of us come down with the flu when the flu season arrives just around the corner. And naturally, all of us look for something that quickly soothes the symptoms and helps regain strength by boosting the immune system. That something might be IV therapy. So, you may wonder how IV therapy for colds and flu could help you feel better and if IV therapy works for colds.
With its direct delivery of important nutrients and hydration, The Drip IV Infusion therapy gives targeted support to your body’s healing process. In this page, we’ll go over the benefits of IV treatment for flu, also how it may increase immune function while promoting faster recovery.
IV Therapy for Cold and Flu
Over-the-counter medicines and warm fluids could provide some relief, but as we mentioned, IV therapy might boost your immune system and help you regain strength. So, what is IV therapy, and how to treat cold and flu with IV therapy?
Intravenous therapy, or IV therapy, is a technique that administers fluids, vitamins, blood, and minerals directly into the bloodstream by a needle that is put into a vein. This technique can allow all ingredients to be directly absorbed into the body, avoiding the digestive system.
The main idea of IV therapy for cold and flu is to provide the body with the necessary ingredients to boost immunity and fight off viruses. The infusion of fluids can help prevent dehydration. It means it should ensure the body stays properly hydrated and help with overall recovery.
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients that should be included in the IV treatment for flu.
Magnesium
Magnesium is important in supporting the immune system and improving overall health. It might help regulate many body functions, such as nerve and muscle, and also may help in reducing inflammation.
The direct delivery of magnesium into your bloodstream should allow it to be immediately available for the body to use. During the cold and flu season, you could benefit from the positive effects of magnesium by adding it to the IV therapy.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is famous for its immune-boosting abilities. This important nutrient is known to help white blood cells work better and fight viruses. Vitamin C, as an antioxidant, serves to protect cells from damage.
While it may not prevent colds, it might help to shorten their duration and intensity. IV therapy can deliver high doses of vitamin C into the bloodstream, ensuring maximum absorption and effectiveness.
B Complex
B complex vitamins are important nutrients necessary for good health and well-being. They have important roles in energy production, nerve activity, and DNA and red blood cell creation.
When these vitamins are added to IV therapy, they should use their power to be beneficial during cold and flu recovery. B complex should be a mix of vitamins: B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, and B12.
Electrolytes
When you have a cold or flu, your body can become dehydrated and deprived of important electrolytes. IV therapy often may have electrolyte solutions like chloride, sodium, and potassium to restore these important minerals.
Electrolytes could help maintain proper fluid balance and nerve and muscle function. By restoring hydration and increasing electrolyte levels, IV therapy is known to improve recovery and fight symptoms like fatigue and weakness.
Antiemetics
Nausea and vomiting may be often experienced during cold and flu season, making it difficult to keep food and fluids down. IV therapy may include antiemetic medications to ease these symptoms.
Antiemetics can work by suppressing brain signals that trigger nausea and vomiting. This should allow you to tolerate fluids and get the nutrients you need to recover quickly.
The process of getting iv therapy for colds
If you’re considering getting IV therapy, you might wonder what the process of getting IV therapy for colds looks like. The IV therapy includes nutrition, medications, and IV fluids for colds. Here is an explanation of how the process looks.
Consultation and conclusion
Consultation with a healthcare professional is the first step in getting IV flu treatment. The healthcare professional will look at your symptoms, medical history, and overall condition during the consultation. Then they decide which IV therapy is good for your flu symptom and may discuss the potential benefits and risks.
Preparation and approval
If it's decided that IV therapy is good for your flu treatment, the healthcare professional will explain the process and ask for your permission to administer the treatment.
They will also go through any medications or nutrients added to the IV solution. You will be asked to give information about allergies or sensitivities to guarantee the therapy's safety and effectiveness.
Intravenous line insertion
The next step will be inserting the intravenous line, which is done in a vein in your arm. A healthcare professional will clean the area with an alcohol-based solution and insert a small needle into a vein.
You might feel a slight pinch or discomfort, but it is tolerable. If you’re scared of needles, don’t worry, the personnel are there to take good care of you. They will be able to guide you through the process with the best care.
Infusing cold IV fluids
The treatment will begin after the IV solution is connected to the catheter. The infusing cold IV fluids solution will have a combination of fluids chosen for your specific needs.
This will include fluids that hydrate the body, immune-boosting nutrients, electrolytes, and medicine that may ease symptoms like pain or nausea.
One of the infusions given to patients may be vitamin infusions because they have the power to provide an immunity boost. This boost is known to help you a lot during the recovery process.
You might be given medication that lowers the temperature if you have a high fever. To help lower the body temperature, they might give you medicine created specifically for this purpose, for example, Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen. These drugs may help lower body temperature, pain, and inflammation, which is why they might be the best iv fluid for fever.
Watching the process
A healthcare professional will continuously watch your vital signs and make sure you are comfortable and safe throughout the treatment. They will check your blood pressure and heart rate to make sure they are within normal limits.
During the treatment, you will be seated in a comfy chair or bed where you can rest comfortably. If you start to experience any side effects during the process or have any concerns, you should talk with the healthcare professional who is looking after you.
Treatment duration
The length of an IV treatment for flu could depend on the patient’s needs. But, in general, IV cold and flu therapy usually last 30 minutes to an hour.
Before the therapy begins, the healthcare professional will inform you about the expected duration of the treatment. You should give yourself enough time for the therapy and plan accordingly.
Post-treatment care
After you finish with the IV cold and flu treatment, the professional will disconnect the IV line and remove the catheter from your vein. They will apply pressure and put a bandage on the insertion area to prevent bleeding.
You may be recommended to continue resting and hydrating after the treatment to allow the body to benefit from the fluids and nutrients that were given fully.
The healthcare professional may give you additional instructions based on your situation. These instructions might be dietary recommendations or follow-up treatments.
Source: shutterstock.com/ Photo Contributor: Srdjan Randjelovic
Benefits of IV Therapy for Colds and Flu
When cold and flu strike, they may leave you feeling ill, with symptoms that might stop you from doing your daily activities. While rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medications may be often used to ease these symptoms, IV treatment for the flu can be an additional weapon in the fight against the cold and flu. So you might be wondering, “how does IV therapy work for colds”. Here are some benefits of IV therapy for colds and flu.
Fast absorption and relief
When you take medications or supplements orally, they pass through the digestive system. Afterward, the medications might take around 30 minutes to dissolve and reach the bloodstream. Some medications have coatings, which could take even longer until they dissolve.
IV, on the other hand, bypasses this process by injecting nutrients and fluids directly into the bloodstream. This method will allow for immediate absorption, which might give some relief from cold and flu symptoms.
Increased immune system support
IV therapy could boost the immune system, which is crucial when fighting cold and flu viruses. The ingredients in the IV fluids for colds should help the immune system function and recognize and fight viruses.
Restoring nutrients
While you’re ill, your body may have fewer nutrients. IV therapy should be able to restore the lost nutrients effectively. That could be done with the help of vitamins. For example, vitamins C and D may help with the immune system function, and B vitamins might help energy levels rise, leading to faster recovery.
Vitamin infusion might give the body the resources to fight the virus and recover faster by restoring the most important nutrients.
Hydration
Hydration is very important for overall health and well-being, especially when dealing with cold and flu symptoms. Your body can get dehydrated while sick because of increased fluid loss. The fluid loss could be increased due to diarrhea, sweating, vomiting, or even fever.
IV therapy will have fluids that might effectively hydrate the body. Hydration could help in restoring optimal hydration levels. This could be especially good for those with difficulty drinking fluids orally.
Possible symptom relief
IV therapy may help relieve the symptoms that come with the cold and flu. For example, antiemetics might be used often in IV therapy because they minimize nausea and vomiting, allowing you to tolerate fluids and medications better.
IV therapy could also have some pain relievers or anti-inflammatory medications, which can help manage the discomfort of cold and flu symptoms.
Customizable treatment
Customization is an important feature of IV therapy because it allows healthcare professionals to adjust the treatments to the specific needs of individual patients. This will guarantee that each patient gets personalized care and treatment that aligns with their needs.
The specific combination of ingredients will be customized to the intensity of the symptoms, underlying health issues, or personal preferences. The customization will make sure that each patient receives the appropriate and effective cold or flu medication.
Source: shutterstock.com/ Photo Contributor: Srdjan Randjelovic
Possible side effects of IV therapy for cold and flu
IV therapy for cold and flu is considered safe and well-tolerated. However, like any medical treatment, there may be a possibility of negative effects. So before getting IV therapy, it's important to be aware of those possible side effects and to discuss them with a healthcare professional.
Here are some possible side effects to be aware of:
Headaches
Drowsiness
Dry mouth
Muscle spasms
Discomfort at the area of the injection
Infection
Allergic reaction
Blood clots
It's important to note that the side effects mentioned above could change from person to person. Some people report mild side effects, and others might have severe ones. So, talking to your healthcare professionals about any concerns or symptoms is important. They will be prepared to handle your special needs and give guidance based on your specific situation.
Signs indicating the need for IV therapy
While most cases of flu may be treated with rest, fluids, and over-the-counter medicine, there are many cases where IV therapy is effective as an additive.
If you have particular flu signs and symptoms, you might need an IV treatment for the flu. Here are some signs that you should pay attention to.
Dehydration
Dehydration is a typical flu sign often followed by dry mouth, chills, dark-colored urine, dizziness, and a fast heartbeat. You may experience dehydration if you have diarrhea, have been vomiting continuously, or have been drinking fewer fluids.
If you cannot keep the fluids down or show some of the symptoms mentioned above, IV therapy might help restore balance and help in recovery by giving fast and effective hydration.
Ongoing high fever
A high fever is a classic flu symptom. While most flu-related fevers might decrease with time, an ongoing high fever could be problematic. Suppose your fever lasts a few days or reaches high levels (103 F - 39.4 C or higher). It might indicate a more serious infection.
IV therapy should help you break a fever faster because the infusion drips contain plenty of vitamins that might boost your immune system and help you battle the infection.
Here are some signs of high fever: headaches, fatigue, feeling cold, shivering, and loss of appetite.
Severe fatigue and weakness
Feeling very tired and weak during the flu is common. But, if these symptoms become severe and interfere with your daily activities or worsen instead of improving over time, it might be a sign that your body may need additional help.
IV therapy might help refill your energy levels and support your body’s healing process by giving the much-needed nutrients and fluids.
Cold vs. flu difference
The cold and the flu may share some symptoms, which could make them hard to tell which is which. Here is a breakdown of the differences between the cold and the flu.
Cause
Colds might be caused by rhinoviruses, which are a type of virus.
Influenza viruses might cause the flu.
Duration
Cold symptoms appear gradually over a few days. They should be milder and shorter, lasting around 10-14 days.
Flu symptoms could come suddenly and more severely than cold symptoms. The flu could last around 7-10 days, with symptoms lasting 2-3 weeks.
Symptoms
Cold symptoms might include a stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, a sore throat, mild cough, and exhaustion. You may also experience mild body aches and, if at all, a low-grade fever.
Flu symptoms might include a high fever above 100.4 °F or 38 °C, severe body aches and fatigue, dry cough, sore throat, headaches, and chills. Some people may also experience nasal congestion and a runny nose.
Some may even experience complications like pneumonia, especially if they have pre-existing health conditions.
Vaccination
Cold vaccination: there may be no specific vaccine available for the common cold due to the many viruses that could cause it.
Flu vaccination: vaccines are developed each year to protect against the most common flu. Flu vaccination may be recommended for everyone older than 65, especially those at higher risk of complications.
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Tips that could help you boost your immune system
Here are some tips that could help you boost your immune system in its fight against the flu.
A healthy and balanced diet
A well-balanced diet is very important for the immune system. You should include all kinds of nutrient-rich foods to provide your body with the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants it needs to fight the flu. You should eat many fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
Stay hydrated
Staying hydrated is essential for supporting the immune system. Drinking plenty of fluids should allow your body to carry nutrients to cells, get rid of toxins and keep optimal moisture.
You should drink around at least six to eight 8-ounces (240 ml) glasses of water. Besides water, you could also drink herbal teas and fresh fruit juices.
Prioritize sleep
Proper sleep is necessary for maintaining a strong immune system. During sleep, your body will repair and regenerate cells.
Sleep deprivation could weaken your immune system and make you more at risk of flu-like diseases. You should get seven or more hours of good sleep.
Regular physical activity
Regular exercise could help your immune system fight infections, including the flu. Exercise should improve circulation, boost immune cell production, and lower inflammation.
You can choose activities you enjoy, for example, go for a walk, go jogging, go cycling, and try to make them a regular part of your routine.
Have good hygiene
Good hygiene may be very important for preventing the spread of the flu virus and supporting your immune system. You should wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, especially before eating or touching your face.
If you don’t have soap and water around you, use hand sanitizers that have at least 60% alcohol. You should avoid contact with sick individuals and maintain good respiratory hygiene. Good respiratory hygiene means covering your mouth and nose with tissue or elbow while coughing or sneezing.
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Conclusion
Hopefully, this article helped you learn how iv drips help with colds and how IV treatment could be an effective tool in the flu recovery process. By directly giving important nutrients, vitamins, and hydration, it focuses on supporting the immune system and helping it heal faster.
You should consult with a healthcare professional to find the appropriate IV therapy for cold and flu that is perfect for you. With the ability to relieve symptoms and make the healing process faster, IV treatment for flu could be a valuable addition to the treatment methods. With faster healing, you should be able to be your healthy self sooner than expected.
Source: shutterstock.com/ Photo Contributor: Yakobchuk Viacheslav