The flu is something we've been plagued with for generations, and dealing with it can be quite a nuisance. Luckily, these iPhone apps can help you get some quick help right through your phone, and help you educate yourself about upcoming symptoms.
However, remember that they are not replacements for an actual doctor and should not be relied upon for a complete cure.
1. Kinsa
An app with multiple features to guide you through various illnesses, Kinsa is one of the best medical apps on the App Store. The app has a simple layout that is easy to use for people of all ages. You can take notes on the app to track how you feel at certain points in the day and even set reminders for any regular medication you may need to take.
You can create a database of all your medication by name and dosage and take a record of illnesses you have been diagnosed with. This will create an organized timeline on your home page for you to refer to on the go.
Kinsa has its own thermometer that you can set up to record your temperature through the app. However, you do not necessarily need the Kinsa thermometer to insert your body temperature into your app. You can insert it manually, and the scale will tell you if you have a fever or not.
What makes Kinsa really special is its ability to set timelines on the app for all of your family members at once. You can keep separate profiles for everyone in your family and add all of the above information. This is a great feature, especially for parents who would want to track their children's health records over time.
Another unique feature is the app's ability to give care recommendations and guidance, so you know when to take extra precautions or consult a doctor—definitely a handy one to have on your phone for you and your family.
Download: Kinsa (Free)
2. Doctor on Demand
Oftentimes, having the flu is just problematic enough to be a nuisance but falls short of prompting a visit to the doctor. How convenient would it be if the doctor just came to you while you were snuggled up on your couch instead?
This is precisely what Doctor on Demand is for. You can connect face to face with a licensed, board-certified doctor at a reasonable rate. It is exactly like visiting an actual doctor, except for the fact that it can be done from anywhere and everywhere through a quick video call.
The app assures that every doctor will follow standard procedures, take your history, perform an examination, and recommend treatment according to your symptoms. The doctors can also access your vitals, temperature, and blood pressure through the app's integration with Apple HealthKit.
Don't have health insurance? That's okay. Doctor on demand has healthcare workers that work without insurance as well. If you need a doctor's note for school or work, you can get one through the app. The healthcare workers are available around the clock and tend to work on weekends and holidays as well.
Download: Doctor on Demand (Free)
3. Natural Remedies
The common cold is something that often does not require a lot of medicine or detailed prescriptions to get over. If you ever want to opt for a natural remedy as an alternative to western medicine, this app will guide you in the right direction.
The app has remedies for many illnesses, including a cold or flu. Examples of natural remedies include herbal tea, mother tinctures, and glycerin macerate.
Natural remedies are exceptional for education purposes as well. You can learn about different types of plants, fruits, and essential oils and their benefits, along with targeted remedies for specific illnesses. You can also read the latest news from the science world, relevant to lifestyle, nutrition, and health. Additionally, the app has many convenient tips and tricks to help you beat the common cold.
You can search healthy recipes from the app's search bar, shop their products, add bookmarks to remedies you may want to refer back to, and add the ones you like to your favorites tab for quick and easy access.
Download: Natural Remedies (Free, in-app purchases available)
4. Lysol Germ-Cast
While the flu is relatively harmless more often than not, it spreads like wildfire. Most people would prefer to stay away from someone with the flu to avoid contact and maintain health.
The Lysol Germ-Cast lets you monitor the spread of illness across the US. You can navigate the map to see illness levels and scan the daily results. You can also add a location for a family member and track their surroundings too.
Additionally, you get advice, daily tips, articles, and checklists to help you protect your family from the spread of germs. You also have the option to shop for Lysol products.
Keep yourself safe by tracking high-illness regions on the Lysol map when you need to.
Download: Lysol Germ-Cast (Free)
5. Body Temperature App for Fever
Check your temperature through your mobile device? Is that even possible? With this app it is.
If you follow the prompts closely, the app is designed to estimate your body temperature in Celsius or Fahrenheit. It would be best to remember that values will not be wholly accurate, but they may provide enough of a range to imply if you have a fever.
For accurate results, you can connect a Bluetooth thermometer to the app. The app also has options for electronic and mercury thermometers, and you can track the temperatures for all your family members alongside yourself.
If you seem to be facing a severe case of the flu, you can also add in values of your blood oxygen level, heart rate, and respiratory rate. The results for any and all values you insert into the app can be accessed in the form of a comprehensive graph.
Download: Body Temperature App for Fever (Free, subscription available)
Dealing With the Flu Is a Lot Easier With These Apps
This great selection of apps allow you to consult a doctor through video call, check your temperature, set reminders for medication, learn about your symptoms, and be aware of regions with widespread illnesses.
They are handy features to help you avoid, manage, and beat the flu. But they're still not substitutes to the expertise of an actual doctor.