10 Ways to Fight Against Cold and Flu

Know the Problem First

Cold and flu are caused by viruses. Viruses like rhinovirus, coronavirus, adenovirus, etc, make you suffer from cold and flu. These are contagious diseases. Direct contact with viruses or virus-infected people can make you ill. Cold and flu are respiratory illnesses caused by the influenza virus.

Cold and Flu are intruders and stay for at least 3 days. On average, adults suffer two or three colds in a year, while children can suffer nine or even ten colds in a year. Cold is not a severe disease. Cold is just a symptom that your body is fighting against infections, but if it is the flu then you need to be worried.

Sometimes, the flu may lead to death if not treated on time. Flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms are more intense. The common cold usually does not result in serious issues like pneumonia, bacterial infections, and/or hospitalization but the flu may lead to these consequences. Many people get confused with cold and flu as both share similar symptoms.

Here are some highlighted differences between cold and flu symptoms:

Cold v/s Flu :

Courtesy: CDC

The 10 ways to fight against cold and flow are mentioned below:

Vaccination

Ensure that you have taken flu vaccination on time. Consult your doctor before taking a shot. Vaccines are available at hospitals and pharmacies.

Wash Your Hands Frequently

When ill people sneeze or cough, they leave tiny droplets. These droplets settle on the surfaces around them. Generally, we catch a common cold by touching these surfaces. We rub hands touched to these surfaces over the nose and mouth, so it is good practice to wash hands frequently to eradicate and kill these viruses.

Keep Your Body Warm and Dry

Keeping the body warm is effective to fight against cold and flu. Researchers at the Common ColdCentre at Cardiff University performed an experiment, they divided healthy people into two groups, believing that some would be harboring cold viruses. Half had their feet dipped into frigid water, and that group developed significantly more colds within a period of three to five days. Hence keeping the body and especially feet warm and dry is essential, as feet are highly sensitive.

Treat Aches and Fever

When you have a fever, your body heats up as temperature rises, it means your body is fighting with viruses. Treat it with medications, after consulting the doctor.

Rest and Stay home

Proper sleep of 8 hours at night is the best way to heal your body. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend having some extra sleep while having a cold. If you avoid sleep frequently, you are inviting various diseases including cold. Stay home if you are feeling sick, to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria. Air contains many viruses and bacteria, so avoid going out of your house.

Lots of Liquids and Honey

Drinking a lot of liquids is always preferred to get rid of cold. Especially hot drinks like tea, tomato soup, vegetable soups, and beetroot juice are soothing and it will keep you hydrated. It can also loosen congestion in your chest to make breathing smooth.

Avoid caffeine, alcohol while having a cold. They keep sleep away. Sleep and rest are needed most to heal your body. The best remedy for the sour throat is honey. If you are having trouble while sleeping, have one spoonful of honey before going to bed. Night-time cough can be reduced by honey. It can help you to soothe your throat and have better sleep.

Healthy and Balanced Diet

Have a healthy and balanced diet. It is normal to have a feeling of hating food during the flu. Eating nutritious food can have benefits for your health. Get vital nutrients from fruits, dry fruits, vegetables rich in vitamin C, iron, and other vitamins to boost your immune system.

Get Salty

Not joking at all! A stuffy nose can be irritating during a cold. Use salt sprays or saline nose drops. Put some drops into one nostril and blow the mucus and saline out. Keep repeating until nostrils are unblocked.

Probiotic Liquids

Various studies have proved that probiotic liquids are effective in lowering a cold and flu period.
Drinking a probiotic drink containing Lactobacillus is effective for cold and flu.

Avoid Sharing

If you’re already infected then avoid sharing objects as it may infect other people around you with cold and flu. Vice-versa is also true. Use separate washrooms (if possible), utensils, towels, soap to prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria. Avoid sneezing or coughing if you have a group of people around you. You can use face masks too.

Bonus methods

Disinfecting Fogger Machines

Fogger machines have become popular amidst the pandemic of COVID-19. These machines can be used to eradicate any pathogens. They are particularly useful for eliminating the flu virus.

Stay Positive

Positivity can cure anything. Keep your attitude positive and hopeful. Keep smiling and continue healing.

Also Read: 11 Best Foods for Eyes That Good to Improvement Eye Health Naturally

Effects and Reasons for Symptoms of Cold and Flu

Cold and flu symptoms are not just irritations, but they are outer effects showing that your immune system is fighting against viruses.

Runny nose

The runny nose helps to remove germs from the nose and hence cleans out it.

Coughing and Sneezing

After 4 to 5 days of viral infection, the liquid flowing through the nose changes its color from yellow to green. Mucus traps the infectious bacteria and viruses in the throat and expels it out of the body while coughing or sneezing.

Fever

Fever signifies the fight against the viruses. As viruses are sensitive to temperature changes, they are not able to survive the temperatures above normal body temperature. Hence fever helps in killing microbes by increasing body temperature.

Muscle Aches and Pain

Muscle ache and pain is common during cold and flu. It is because your immune system pulls protein from your muscles to fight against viruses and thus leaves you in pain.

Keep in mind that everything takes its time to cure and heal. Let it take its time. Be patient, be hopeful. Stay fit and stay safe.