Home Remedies For Flu

Influenza or flu as its most commonly called is quite similar to a common cold and it’s often difficult to distinguish between the two. But although the symptoms like sore throat, cough and running nose, can be confused, they are actually caused by different sets of organisms, and their treatment too is different. Flu is more severe and affects the nose, throat, bronchial tubes, lungs and middle ear.

• A cold usually lasts for a week, while flu may go on for longer, about two weeks, and is followed by extreme fatigue.

• Fever rarely accompanies a cold, but high fever is always present in flu, and the onset is quite sudden.

• Headaches occur rarely in a cold, but in flu it’s a prominent symptom.

• Sever body aches accompany flu, but in a cold, they are rare, and if they do occur, they’re usually quite slight.

• While a runny nose is part and parcel of a common cold, it may or may not happen with flu.

• Cold are always accompanied by a sore, hoarse throat, but it’s not always so with a flu.

• Flu is usually accompanied by severe cough, which takes a long time to subside. Coughs accompanying a cold are less severe.

Treatment: These days, vaccines have been developed for flu, but since there are more than 200 types of viruses which can cause this disease, it is difficult to immunize oneself totally. Besides, since they are made from chicken embryos, they can cause severe allergic reaction to those who are allergic to eggs.

Over the counter drugs are also not advised, because they suppress the body’s immune system.

Home Remedies Work out the Best:

• Fluid Intake: Drinking plenty of fluids is very essential to prevent dehydration. Drink water or juices at short intervals to keep yourself hydrated. Hot drinks also provide relief to a sore and itchy throat.

• Ginger and pepper tea have been found to be very helpful in alleviating symptoms. Boil crushed ginger and a few pinches of black pepper in water. Leave to steep for some time. Strain and mix with honey before drinking it.

• Honey is especially helpful. You can mix it in tea, or even lick a teaspoon of honey, sprinkled with a tiny pinch of black pepper powder.

• Lemon and honey are also beneficial. Squeeze a wedge of lemon in warm water and sweeten with honey. Drink this at frequent intervals.

• Sucking on lozenges is also helpful, because the flow of saliva keeps the throat moistened. You may suck on hard candy or medicated lozenges.

• Drink hot soup or broth in small quantities. This will not only ease the scratchy feeling in the throat, it also provides nutrition to fight the virus.

• Gargling with warm salt water gives a lot of relief to a sore throat.

• Taking heat pads will ease the pain if you have tired achy limbs and joints.

• Soak your feet in warm salt water. You may also consider adding a teaspoon of dry mustard in it.

• Most important – take as much rest as possible to help your body fight the organisms.