| Flu is a respiratory infection caused by a variety of flu | | | | Lubricate your nostrils with petroleum jelly products to |
| viruses. Flu is contagious and if you're around someone | | | | decrease the irritation. For tired achy muscles, ease |
| who coughs or sneezes, or simply touch any object | | | | away the pain with a warm compress. Soak your feet |
| already touched by someone contaminated with flu, | | | | in hot water to alleviate any headache or nasal |
| you're bound to contract the infection. | | | | congestion. |
| Flu symptoms are easy to detect though they may | | | | Ensure that your room has plenty of fresh air supply all |
| appear few days later. Flu spreads at the slightest | | | | the times. Prevent chills by wearing warm, close fitting |
| contact and before you feel the symptoms on | | | | clothes. Ask someone to give you a back rub as it |
| yourself, you might have passed it to others. | | | | activates the immune system to fight the flu. During flu, |
| Symptoms include - body aches, chills, dry cough, | | | | one should eat lightly. Snack on fruits, cereals, boiled |
| fever, headache, sore throat and stuffy nose. | | | | food, etc. |
| To prevent the flu bug, keep in mind the following - - | | | | If a sore or scratchy throat accompanies the flu |
| Get a flu shot / vaccine. - If there is flu epidemic in air, | | | | infection, get relief by gargling with salt water solution. It |
| avoid crowded places like cinema halls, theatres, | | | | will wash out any secretions collected in your throat. |
| shopping centers, etc as virus spreads easily. - Keep | | | | Take a warm tbsp of honey mixed with lemon at night |
| distance from people who sneeze and cough. - Give | | | | to get quick relief. |
| up smoking and drinking alcohol as it can injure your | | | | Warm water mixed with lemon and honey is good to |
| respiratory tract and impair your resistance, making | | | | loosen phlegm. |
| you more susceptible to flu. - Wash your hands | | | | Gargle daily with 1 drop of each of tea tree oil and |
| frequently in order to reduce your chance of infection. | | | | lemon mixed in glass of warm water. Stir well and do |
| - Reduce stress as stressed people are more prone | | | | not swallow. |
| to falling ill easily. - Include low sweets diet and avoid | | | | Add 10-20 drops of either tea tree, eucalyptus, lemon |
| fried foods. - Avoid exposure to dust, chemicals as | | | | or lavender oil to your hot water bath. This helps your |
| well as sudden and extreme temperature changes. | | | | immune system fight the viral infect and ease your |
| Since flu spreads at the slightest of contact, one | | | | symptoms. |
| should stay at home till fully recovered. It is best to rest | | | | Take 1 tbsp of lukewarm honey mixed with 1/4 tsp of |
| in the bed as you will feel sick and tired to do anything | | | | cinnamon powder daily for 3-4 days. It strengthens the |
| else. If you are doing work despite being sick, you're | | | | immune system and protects the body from bacteria |
| prone to more complications. | | | | and viral attacks. |
| Liquids are important as you can get the much needed | | | | Juices of apple, pear, cranberry, pomegranate and |
| nutrients when you don't feel like eating and it also | | | | dark grapes are often recommended for combating |
| keeps you from being dehydrated. Drink lots of liquids | | | | flu as they have properties that work against |
| like water, soups, veg or non veg and other fluids like | | | | congestion and runny nose. |
| fruit juices. Beet and carrot juice, both are rich in | | | | The reader of this article should exercise all |
| nutrients. Fruit juice mixed with water in equal quantity | | | | precautions while following instructions on the recipes |
| and dash of sugar provides the necessary glucose. | | | | from this article. Avoid using if you are allergic to |
| By humidifying your room there will be less discomfort | | | | something. The responsibility lies with the reader, not |
| of a cough, sore throat or dry nasal passages. If you're | | | | the site, and the writer. |
| blowing your nose continuously, it will be sore and red. | | | | |