what should I take to get rid of this lingering cold/flu bug?

A week is too long to be sick normally. This means resistant bacteria or viral flu. If it is indeed the flu then proceed here: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms.htm

Consult a doctor in general if you have been sick for over 48 hours and have not gotten any better.

Try Eucalyptus, menthol, or mint leaves in hot water and let it steep for a tea or put a towel over your head and make a steam bath for your head. Might want to remember to keep eyes closed because adding these herbs to the hot water could burn or irritate the eyes.

FOR COLD: Treatment There’s no cure for the common cold. Antibiotics are of no use against cold viruses, and over-the-counter (OTC) cold preparations won’t cure a common cold or make it go away any sooner, and most have side effects. Here’s a look at the pros and cons of some common cold remedies.

Pain relievers. For fever, sore throat and headache, many people turn to acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or other mild pain relievers. Keep in mind that acetaminophen can cause liver damage, especially if taken frequently or in larger-than-recommended doses. Be especially careful when giving acetaminophen to children; the dosing guidelines can be confusing. For instance, the infant drop formulation is three times as concentrated as the syrup commonly used in older children. Never give aspirin to children; it may have a role in causing Reye’s syndrome, a rare, but potentially fatal illness. Decongestant nasal sprays. Adults shouldn’t use decongestant drops and sprays for more than a few days because prolonged use can cause chronic inflammation of your mucous membranes. And children shouldn’t use them at all. There’s little evidence that they work in young children, and they may cause side effects. Cough syrups. In winter, nonprescription cough syrups practically fly off the drugstore shelves. But the American College of Chest Physicians strongly discourages the use of these medications because they’re not effective at treating the underlying cause of cough due to colds. Some contain ingredients that may alleviate coughing, but the amounts are too small to do much good and may actually be harmful for children. In fact, the college has strongly recommended against using OTC cough syrups or cold medicines for any child younger than 14. Coughs associated with a cold usually last less than two to three weeks; if a cough lingers longer than that, see your doctor.

FOR FLU: Treatment Most often, you’ll need nothing more than bed rest and plenty of fluids to treat the flu. But in some cases, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza).

These drugs, which treat both influenza A and B, work by deactivating an enzyme the virus needs to grow and spread. If taken soon after you notice symptoms, they may shorten your illness by a day or so. Oseltamivir is an oral medication, but zanamivir is inhaled through a device similar to an asthma inhaler and shouldn’t be used by anyone with respiratory conditions such as asthma and lung disease.

Both medications can cause side effects, including lightheadedness, nausea, loss of appetite and trouble breathing. They can also lead to the development of antiviral-resistant viruses. Discuss the possible side effects with your doctor before starting any antiviral medication.