What to Eat After Influenza A for Quick Recovery and Nutrition

Generally speaking, there is no specific food that can help one recover quickly and provide adequate nutrition after contracting influenza A. Influenza A refers to the influenza A virus. Patients can consume foods such as eggs, spinach, oranges, fish, and milk. Additionally, under a doctor's guidance, patients may take medications like vitamin C tablets, Lianhua Qingwen capsules, acetaminophen tablets, Yupingfeng granules, and Buzhong Yiqi pills to supplement nutrition and accelerate recovery. The detailed explanation is as follows:

1. Foods

1. Eggs

Eggs are rich in high-quality protein, fats, vitamins, and various minerals. Their protein is complete protein containing multiple essential amino acids that are easily absorbed and utilized by the body. Eggs provide energy to the weakened body after influenza A, enhance immunity, and promote recovery. They can be consumed boiled, steamed, or as egg drop soup.

2. Spinach

Spinach contains abundant vitamin A, C, K, minerals like iron and calcium, and large amounts of dietary fiber. Vitamin A helps protect the respiratory mucosa, vitamin C enhances immunity, and dietary fiber promotes intestinal motility, prevents constipation, improves overall body condition, and supports recovery after influenza A. Spinach can be stir-fried, sautéed with garlic, or made into soup.

3. Oranges

Oranges are rich in vitamin C and antioxidant flavonoids. Vitamin C enhances white blood cell activity, boosts immunity, helps the body resist residual viral effects, and promotes recovery. Flavonoids have anti-inflammatory effects that can reduce inflammatory responses. Eating oranges directly allows effective intake of their nutrients.

4. Fish

Deep-sea fish, such as salmon, are rich in high-quality protein and omega-3 fatty acids. High-quality protein provides the building blocks needed for body repair, while omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties that reduce inflammation and improve bodily functions, positively aiding post-influenza recovery, especially for the repair of organs such as the lungs. Fish can be steamed, braised, or cooked in other ways.

5. Milk

Milk is rich in calcium and various vitamins, particularly vitamin D-fortified milk, which helps maintain bone health and boost immunity. Drinking one glass of milk daily is recommended, and low-fat or skim milk can be chosen to reduce fat intake.

2. Medications

1. Vitamin C Tablets

Vitamin C is the main ingredient and has antioxidant properties. It enhances white blood cell activity, improves immune function, promotes collagen synthesis, aids in tissue repair, and helps the body return to normal faster after influenza A.

2. Lianhua Qingwen Capsules

These capsules are composed of multiple traditional Chinese herbs including forsythia and honeysuckle. They clear away epidemic toxins, relieve lung heat, regulate immune function, inhibit influenza virus replication, reduce inflammation, alleviate common symptoms of influenza A such as fever, cough, and sore throat, and promote recovery.

3. Acetaminophen Tablets

These are suitable for symptoms such as fever, headache, and muscle pain after influenza A. They work by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis in the hypothalamic thermoregulatory center, causing peripheral vasodilation and sweating to reduce fever. Additionally, they inhibit pain impulse transmission at nerve endings, relieving discomfort.

4. Yupingfeng Granules

Composed of ingredients like astragalus and white atractylodes, these granules tonify qi, consolidate the exterior, and stop sweating. They enhance immune function, improve the body's resistance to external pathogens, promote recovery from post-influenza weakness, reduce the risk of reinfection, and help restore the body to a healthy state.

5. Buzhong Yiqi Pills

Buzhong Yiqi Pills are a traditional Chinese medicine formulation primarily composed of astragalus, codonopsis, white atractylodes, angelica, tangerine peel, and other ingredients. They have the effect of invigorating the middle-jiao qi, uplifting the sinking qi, and improving symptoms of spleen-stomach weakness and qi deficiency fatigue. They help regulate the body's balance of qi and blood and strengthen physical constitution.

Patients should also ensure adequate rest, sufficient sleep, and avoid excessive fatigue and staying up late. Additionally, maintaining indoor air circulation and practicing good personal hygiene are effective ways to prevent recurrence of influenza A.