Home remedies for flu are popular considering that the infection is predominantly viral in origin and allopathic medicine has no known cure for the condition.
Influenza or ‘flu’ as it is more commonly abbreviated, is one of the common infections in contemporary times which affects the respiratory tract. This is more than validated by the fact that 5 to 20% of Americans suffer from the flu annually.
Contrary to popular belief, antibiotics have no role to play as the infection is viral in origin and antibiotics are effective in bacterial infections alone. However, in instances where a viral infection is followed by a bacterial infection due to lowered immunity, antibiotics may be prescribed.
- 1 What is influenza
- 2 Incubation period for flu
- 3 Spread
- 4 Signs of flu
- 5 Difference between cold and flu
- 6 How long does flu last
- 7 Best natural home remedies for flu
What is influenza
If you have been wondering as to what is influenza; then keep reading. Influenza or flu is best defined as a viral infection which affects the nose, throat, trachea, bronchi and even the lungs. The infection usually spreads by droplet infection. Thus it could well be concluded that flu is a highly contagious disease which can spread very quickly.
This is further validated by the fact the twentieth century alone saw three pandemics of flu wherein the infection ran through entire populations and the death toll ran into millions.
Incubation period for flu
The incubation period for flu is typically defined as the interval between exposure to the virus and the appearance of symptoms suggestive of flu.
According to WebMD, the incubation period is typically two to five days. Observational studies have indicated that the disease is highly contagious from a day prior to the onset of symptoms and continues to be infectious through five to even ten days after symptoms appear.
The spread of this potentially contagious disease is relatively simple considering that it can happen easily through droplets or air. To further elaborate, even when a person with the infection is standing 6 feet away the probability of contracting the disease condition is high.
When you cough or sneeze, droplets carrying the virus are expulsed into the air and then transfer to another person. When this person inhales the droplets into the nose, nasal airways or the lungs, the virus is transmitted and flu continues to spread.
On the contrary, it is a distinct possibility that the spread may not happen through the air at all. There could be an indirect transmission of the virus through sharing of clothes or utensils among other reasons. Thus it is not surprising that personal hygiene and maintaining strict asepsis of utensils is advocated by health professionals.
Signs of flu
Signs of flu are relatively easy to elicit considering that if you have the flu then in all probability you would present with some or more of these:
- Runny nose
- Generalized body aches
- High fever with chills
- Sore throat and difficulty in swallowing
Difference between cold and flu
If a cold is a predominant symptom of flu then one may well query as to what is the difference between cold and flu.
When you wake up one fine morning with a dull ache in the body, with low energy levels and unable to move a single muscle, you definitely are not well. When the same symptoms are accompanied by frequent bouts of sneezing, sore swollen throat, you are in all probability suffering from a cold or the flu.
It is critically important to differentiate between these two illnesses considering that the line of treatment would differ.
While common cold is usually associated with milder upper respiratory tract symptoms which subside in a few days, flu usually lasts longer and needs to be treated with caution. A Cold begins with a sore throat which settles down within a day or two. This is invariably followed by frequent bouts of sneezing, a runny nose and nasal congestion which continue to become worse over the next few days. Although headaches are common, those with the cold seldom present with fever.
Flu is a more severe upper respiratory tract infection with frequent episodes of cough, sore throat, and high grade fever. The symptoms are far more severe and the condition develops more rapidly. Flu may progress to a more severe form of respiratory disease such as pneumonia.
While the milder common cold is caused due to several thousand viruses, the flu can be attributed to a very specific virulent or potent virus known as the influenza virus.
Thus, it is evident that there is no specific vaccination or treatment for a cold and home remedies are the only option. On the contrary, while the flu can be prevented by using a specific influenza vaccine, the challenge is once someone has already been diagnosed with the disease. In situations such as these, home remedies for flu are particularly beneficial.
How long does flu last
The answer is simple, the symptoms could last for a week or they may even take months to resolve when complications occur. Thus, it is critical that treatment is initiated without a delay.
The first line of treatment continues to be natural remedies. These remedies have proved to be particularly beneficial for the treatment of the illness.
Best natural home remedies for flu
Drink and hydrate
Flu can leave you dehydrated especially when it is accompanied with diarrhea or vomiting. Water, fruit juices, electrolytes and sodas are effective however caffeinated drinks are best avoided. This could be attributed to the fact that caffeine is a very strong diuretic and when consumed in excess it can lead to a significant increase in urination thus leading to further dehydration.
If you are suffering from a sore throat, then herbal tea with honey is particularly effective as it can soothe the throat without any side effects. If you are also suffering from nausea, then you may be advised to consume fluids in small frequent amounts to prevent vomit or ‘throw up’. The most reliable indicator for adequate hydration is the color of urine. If your urine is colorless or pale yellow, then you are adequately hydrated.
Soup for health
Hot chicken soup has been used for generations as the first line of treatment by doting mothers all over the world. In simple terms, growing up with this remedy for flu will make you practice it later in life, as much out of habit as for the benefits. Studies in recent years have now concluded beyond doubt that a bowl of hot chicken soup can soothe and relax the respiratory system and thus relieve the symptoms commonly associated with flu.
Concurrently, it has also been stated that there is more to the soup than just the chemistry, the hot vapor from a bowl of boiling chicken soup can help soothe the airway. Thus, it could well be concluded with conviction that chicken soup is one option which is here to stay.
Follow your instincts
Rest continues to be one of the greatest healing mechanisms to date. Recuperating and quick recovery depends on taking the right amount of rest. Medical professionals are of the opinion that one must ‘listen to the body’ and take adequate amount of rest during and immediately after an attack of flu.
Sore throat with pain and nasal congestion are some of the predominant symptoms commonly associated with flu. Using a humidifier helps to breathe in moist air. Alternatively, taking a hot shower several times a day can help clear out the congestion too.
Another effective options is to inhale steam. This is best ensured by taking a bowl of boiling water, leaning over it and draping the head with a clean towel to trap the steam inside. Inhale the steam deeply and you will experience instant relief of the airway.
Alternatively, adding a drop of eucalyptus oil to the water will help liquefy and remove the phlegm too. Thus, it is not surprising that moist air and steam are some of the most popular remedies for flu.
Cough and throat pain is best controlled by using lozenges, cough drops, and even hard candy. Regardless of whether you use the elm based lozenges or the zinc variants, results are equally encouraging.
Saline gargles have been used for more than a few decades. Warm saline gargles can clear the thick and viscous mucus which usually accumulates over the posterior wall of the throat and is a source of constant irritation of flu.
This is remedy is particularly effective considering that garlic has high sulphur content and works as a virus eradicating option. When garlic content is increased in the diet, it invariably arrests the growth of the influenza virus. Recent changes in technology have now resulted in artificially modified organic garlic being used in larger quantities.
Organic garlic is particularly great because it has a much higher concentration of sulphur making it a more effective option as compared to the traditional garlic variant.
Ginger tea is great expectorant as it can soothe and clear the congested throats in quick time. Add 4 tablespoons of honey and lemon to a kettle of hot water. Add one cup of fenugreek stock to the mix and boil for twenty minutes. This mixture is good for cough and throat irritation which are the predominant symptoms of flu.
The ginseng wonder
This is a natural option that needs no introduction considering that this potent variant has been used with varying degrees of success in many very diverse disease conditions.
Ginseng is relatively simple to prepare and utilize. The only thing you would need is to add some dried roots of this wonder root to a cup of hot water. Simmer the mix and consume it several times a day.
Cinnamon is sourced from the inner bark of the cinnamon tree bark. This is both an antifungal as well as an antimicrobial agent and has been used with varying degrees of success.
This is great remedy which is particularly effective in eradicating the influenza virus and thus minimize its attacks.
Mustard has strong antibacterial and antimicrobial properties making it the preferred choice to control and reverse the flu symptoms. Observational studies have now concluded that using a mustard rub is particularly beneficial. This could be attributed to the fact that when used as a rub it is relatively safe and free from side effects.
The procedure is simple, prepare a paste by adding two to four tablespoons of dried mustard powder to an identical quantity of flour, an egg and some hot water.
Apply the paste to the chest and allow it to stay there for a few minutes before rinsing and washing off the mix. Caution: remove the paste quickly or it may leave behind a burning sensation.
The diet perspective
The new buzzword in home remedies for flu is diet. This is not surprising considering that diet can enhance and strengthen the immunity of the body, as well as control and reverse the symptoms associated with flu.
The flu diet
Fresh fruits and green vegetables have an important role to play, however it is a distinct possibility that people diagnosed with flu may be suffering from suppressed appetite and hence may find it difficult to consume food. The preferred option may be to consume plenty of fruit and vegetable juice, as it is relatively easy to consume even if you have a suppressed appetite.
Conceptually, as the symptoms associated with flu begin to subside, solid foods can be introduced into the diet while ensuring that the diet is balanced. A typically balanced diet for flu may contain some or more of these food options:
- Green leafy vegetables like spinach, broccoli and Brussels sprouts
- Lemons and
While some food options can be beneficial, there are others which could be harmful and may even aggravate the symptoms of flu. Thus, some options that are best avoided with people who are diagnosed with flu are:
- Processed meats including red meat
- Bakery products
- Coffee and aerated drinks
- Alcohol beverages
- Spicy food options
- Sugar and sweets