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While seasonal influenza (flu) viruses are detectable throughout the year, they are always most evident during what’s commonly known as flu season. For those in the northern hemisphere, this is during the fall and winter periods. There’s no getting around the fact that if you get infected with the flu, you’re in for a miserable few days. Thankfully, in addition to getting your annual flu shot, tech provides some excellent help to get over your symptoms quickly and see you through your illness.
1. Check Flu Spread on the CDC Fluview Website
Flu spreads quickly, so it’s good to know early if it’s invading your neighborhood. That way, you can take extra steps to protect yourself and help more vulnerable community members from being put at risk.
FluView is an invaluable information resource offered by the US CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) on the organization’s official website. FluView serves up comprehensive data on flu spread and hospitalizations by region. You can get up-to-date and accurate information on flu levels in your area and see how it affects different population sectors, such as age groups.
2. Consult Flu Near You
The FluView website is highly detailed, so if it looks intimidating, consider using Flu Near You instead. This website and Android app use CDC data and crowdsourced information to analyze current flu levels in your area thoroughly.
You can search by zip code to find your city or state information. It’s a great way to find out how serious things are getting in your region, and there’s an anonymous reporting tool for you to add your own symptoms into the database too.
Download: Flu Near You for Android (Free)
3. Look Up Symptoms on WebMD
Get reliable information about your symptoms from WebMD, a trusted source of medical knowledge and advice that can help you learn how to treat your condition. Of course, this is not a substitute for seeing a medical professional. But it can help you to learn more until you can see a doctor. And it’s not just for identifying flu; it covers a wide range of medical issues, with advice and guidance on all health issues from certified health professionals.
Download: Web MD for iOS | Android (Free)
4. Doctor on Demand
If you’re feeling ill with flu, the last thing you want to do is struggle your way out to see the doctor, spreading your germs as you go. Doctor on Demand by Included Health allows you to talk with a medical professional about your flu symptoms or any other health concerns without even needing to leave your home.
The service is available for 24/7 care via the website, or you can download the dedicated app for your smartphone or tablet. According to the Doctor on Demand website, this is a covered benefit for over 98 million Americans via their health plan or employer.
Download: Doctor on Demand for iOS | Android (Free)
5. Use a Smart Thermometer
If you feel your temperature rising and you think those pesky flu symptoms may be coming on, it’s a wise idea to have a thermometer to hand to check. And purchasing a smart thermometer for your family’s medicine cabinet doesn’t have to cost too much.
Lots of great digital thermometers are available, and many connect to apps, like the FDA-cleared Kinsa Quickcare Smart Thermometer. This means it’s easy to keep track of your readings over a time period and manage your whole family’s information.
Don’t miss our list of the best smart kids thermometers as well as our guide to the best smart thermometers for all ages to help you make your decision.
6. Monitor Air Quality With IQAir AirVisual
The IQAir AirVisual service is the air quality monitoring service for the United Nations Environment Program. Because it collects data from governments, citizens, and companies worldwide, it’s a reliable source of air quality data.
And it’s all available to you via the IQAir website or a free app, so you can measure the air you’re breathing and get real-time alerts if you need to act to protect yourself. This could be invaluable to you not only if you’re suffering from a respiratory illness like the flu, but also if you have asthma or any condition that is exacerbated by poor air quality.
Download: IQAir AirVisual for iOS | Android (Free)
7. Keep Your Air Clean With an Air Purifier
If you do catch the flu, an air purifier can help to ease your symptoms by keeping the air pure and filtered within your home. And the most effective ones, such as the Turonic PH950, use HEPA filters to help eliminate harmful viral particles from the air, which can lessen the risk of others in your household becoming infected.
If you suffer from allergies, there’s a good chance you have already invested in an air purifier. But if you’re wondering which one to purchase, our buyer’s guide to the best air purifiers will tell you all you need to know.
8. Use Medications in the iOS Health App
When you’re lying on the sofa with flu, feeling sorry for yourself, your regular routine goes to pieces. That’s when the iOS Medications feature in Apple’s Health app comes in handy.
Apple introduced the Medications feature with iOS 16 to remind you to take your medications on time. Just add the details to the app and set up your schedule, then you’ll get a handy reminder via your iPhone or Apple Watch when it’s time for the next dose. Taking your flu medication as prescribed will get you back on your feet in no time!
Apple’s Health App also allows you to track all kinds of important health information, from your sleep time to your heart rate.
Use Tech to Help You Cope With Flu Season
Unfortunately, there’s no tech that can completely prevent you from catching the flu. But at least these great websites, apps, and tools can help to inform you about how widespread the illness is and get access to medical information and advice. You’ll also benefit from tracking and reminders for your temperature and medications. Hopefully, you’ll be better prepared to cope with the next flu season.