The best home remedies for cold and flu

Table of Content

• Ahead of holiday gatherings, doctors warn UAE residents against spurt in flu cases
• Other potential natural remedies
• Symptoms & Signs
• Misinformation on RSV, flu spread online: What parents need to know
• Natural flu remedies to try at home
• Zinc? Honey? Ginger? What Actually Helps When You Have a Cold or the Flu?
• Father warns about how serious flu can be for kids as 10-year-old son battles virus

Some people also use the fresh or dried herbs in traditional steam therapies for clearing congestion. You can do this by steeping herbs, like eucalyptus or thyme, in boiling water for five to 10 minutes, then covering your head with a towel and breathing in the steam . Alternatively, you can hang the dried leaves in a steamy shower to get some of these benefits. Dr. Fadel Hind, an infectious disease physician at the Mayo Clinic, keeps a humidifier running in her house during winter flu season.

For example, if you squeeze the bridge of the nose right where it meets the upper eye sockets, you will feel how easy it is to breathe again. This practice helps to relax the muscles and softens up phlegm in order to help it come up. Also, the fact that it is an easy and non-invasive method to get rid of the cold, makes it one of the best home remedies for flu on our list.

Ahead of holiday gatherings, doctors warn UAE residents against spurt in flu cases

Patel said he warns parents to be wary of remedies that claim to be safe because they are "all natural." Hydration is also very important when kids are sick. Both doctors said items like humidifiers, saline nasal sprays and nasal suctioning tools are all great to have on hand at home. "Parents are seeing these headlines about overfull hospitals and ERs, so parents are scared," said Patel.

Honey is known to have antimicrobial elements and limes are packed with vitamin C. It’s good to take these items prior to getting a cold, or right after, and they will make you feel good while your immune system does most of the fighting. Another effective home remedy for the flu is lemon tea. This tea contains a high amount of vitamin C, and can also strengthen the immune system. Lemon tea has an added advantage of being a great source of antioxidants, and can be consumed throughout the day.

Other potential natural remedies

Relief of symptoms is immediate and continues for a time after finishing the hot drink. People with rotavirus are contagious before you feel sick, about one to two days as well as up to two weeks after recovery. If you’re sick, you can spread gastroenteritis by handling food. Make sure to very thoroughly wash your hands or put on rubber gloves before touching anything you’ll be eating.

Most people who get the flu can treat themselves at home and often don't need to see a doctor. Get more sleep to help your immune system fight infection. Choose water, juice and warm soups to prevent dehydration. Drink enough so that your urine is clear or pale yellow. 15 Immune-Boosting Foods Eat these to fight colds, flu, and more. On the forehead and nose, a warm cloth is a great way to relieve headache or sinus pain.

Symptoms & Signs

Flu spreads easily wherever people congregate — in child care centers, schools, office buildings, auditoriums and public transportation. By avoiding crowds during peak flu season, you reduce your chances of infection. And, if you're sick, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever subsides so that you lessen your chance of infecting others. To ease stuffiness and post-nasal drip -- and perhaps cut the risk of getting a sinus infection -- some doctors recommend nasal irrigation. You can buy a neti pot in health food stores and drugstores, or opt for a saline squeeze bottle.

Place your face over the hot water bowl and drape the towel over your head. This way, you will be able to trap in all the heat and steam. Take deep breaths, and you will start to feel how easy it is for you to breathe again in no time. Rather than sticking all kinds of inhalers up your nose which could contain harmful chemicals, consider getting rid of a stuffy nose with hot water. There is no doubt that at some moment in your life you witnessed somebody placing a towel on the head and leaning into a steaming bowl of hot water.

Misinformation on RSV, flu spread online: What parents need to know

Oscillococcinum is one of the most popular home remedies for the flu and is an excellent choice for treating flu-like symptoms. It works by reducing the duration of symptoms and helps alleviate body aches and headaches. It is a safe medicine that can be used by the entire family.

Pharmacies are limiting purchases of certain medicines. CVS Health, for example, has placed a two-product limit on all children’s pain relief products bought through its pharmacies or online. Walgreens is limiting customers online to six purchases of children’s over-the-counter fever reducing products. Although Oscillococcinum is safe to use, it is not without risks.

Those who take it orally can get a lasting metallic taste in their mouth. “The really important thing to note is that you should take zinc with food because it can be really nauseating,” Dr. Romm said. Certain home remedies and medications can help people get rid of the flu fast. Learn about the steps to follow to treat the flu quickly and safely.

Discover what causes the flu and how to lower your risk of getting it with these tips from Theraflu. Learn about the different types of flu viruses out there. Soothe a sore, scratchy throat by gargling with a DIY saltwater solution. Combine 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of table salt with 4 to 8 ounces of warm water.