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