Saying that the flu is inconvenient is putting it lightly, the flu is terrible!  Even if you were vaccinated against the disease in previous years, you can still get sick as the virus changes and mutates.

Worst of all, there’s no way of knowing when you’re going to get sick. You can take every precaution like washing your hands, keeping your lips to yourself, and not sharing drinks, but when it comes to illness, everybody’s number comes up sooner or later.

So if you do get sick, the best thing to do, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is to stay at home and avoid others (that is, don’t go around giving your germs to everyone else!) except to seek medical care.

Make sure you follow your doctor's orders, too. You may be told to rest and drink plenty of fluids, and some may be prescribed antiviral drugs. We may not need antivirals for mild cases of the flu; just peace, good nutrition and bed rest.{relatedarticles}

We all know life doesn’t stop just because we’ve got a case of the sniffles, though. Check with your doctor before venturing back into the world, but the fact is that kids still have to be ferried to school, work still needs to get done, clients have to be called, and needless to say, people are going to see you.

But what they see is up to you. Are you going to stumble all over town in worn-out sweatpants and a snotty tissue glued to your hand, or are you going to go out with grace and poise? We thought so. Now get your orange juice and get in gear!

Clothes

Getting all dressed up is a hassle, but if you’re going out, you’re going to be seen, and being seen in frumpy hausfrau garb is way worse than struggling with a sweater. Wherever you go, you’re making an impression, so make the right one: ditch the old sweatpants.

You should wear warm, comfortable, and clean clothing, and keep it clean by taking a handkerchief or a pocket pack of tissues with you. Wiping your nose on your sleeve is inexcusable for anyone over 10 years old.

Tasteful sweaters are good sick gear in the winter since they’ll keep you warm. According to information from Cardiff University in Wales, being cooler or exposed to cold weather may actually increase your likelihood of catching a cold, though they don’t know exactly why. Since you already have a cold, you may be shrugging and saying “so what?” but remember that your immune system is already working hard to fight the cold you have: don’t make it fight any harder!{relatedarticles}

Also, this isn’t the time for skin-tight jeans. Wear something a little less form-fitting so that you can move easily and (if you live in a cold climate), wear something warm underneath like thermal underwear.

Bathe

You may not realize it, and there’s really no polite way to say this, but when you come down with a touch of whatever’s been going around your office, you may smell a little funky. Perhaps you neglected showering (you weren't going out, so why bother?). Maybe you're running a fever or were curled up under a warm blanket and started to sweat.

So if you’re going out, do everyone a favor and start your day with a hot shower to wash away any residual toxins or germs on your skin. Even better?  A nice, long bath. Bathing is especially important in preventing the spread of illness (just think, if the person who gave YOU your cold had been a little cleaner, you may not be in this mess!).

The steam from a hot bath or shower can help clear congested sinuses, which not only feels nice, but can also help lessen that “plugged up” sound in your voice.

Makeup

Ladies, makeup might be one of the last things on your mind when you’re sick, but if you normally wear it, you might call a lot of attention to yourself (and your illness) if you put away the blush at the first sign of a sniffle.

One thing to consider is the likelihood of smearing or smudging your makeup when you sneeze, cough, or blow your nose: for example, try lip stain instead of lip stick for longer-lasting wear.{relatedarticles}

Another factor to take into account is how your face is behaving: do you have a raw nose?  What about red, puffy eyes?  This could be a job for concealer and eye drops, but use caution: putting makeup on already irritated skin could cause further irritation. The middle of cold and flu season is a terrible time to discover a cosmetics allergy!

Finally, do not share any applicators, brushes, or any other makeup appliance you use. You wouldn't shake somebody's hand after sneezing; similarly, sharing these items is a good way to pass your germs to somebody else.

Medicine

This almost goes without saying, but a good daytime cold and flu medicine can reduce your sniffling, sneezing, stuffiness, and pain. If you’re trying to not look quite so sick, daytime cold and flu medicine can help.

Of course, ask your doctor before taking any medicine. Just remember that while some medicine may make you feel better and antivirals may be prescribed to speed up recovery in severe cases, your doctor will probably recommend rest as a key to recovery. Your body wants rest, so get some!{relatedarticles}

Bedtime

For all these tips and tricks, one of the best ways to improve your appearance while sick is: don’t be sick!  Let us stress again how important it is to get proper rest when you’re ill. We all get sick once in a while, and downtime is a recovery necessity.

A good night’s rest can help your body recover, and a faster recovery means a faster return to your normal, active lifestyle. While the right makeup and clothing choices, coupled with a nice hot bath or shower, can make getting through your day bearable, you’ll be in much better shape, and be much better looking, once you’re properly back on your feet.