Changing season got you sick? 6 things you can do to ease your flu symptoms

It’s that time of the year again when every other person you know is down with fever and flu. We all know that the changing season can increase the incidences of flu; but that doesn’t take away from the fact that the symptoms are tough to manage. From a runny nose to high fever, flu caused by a change in season can leave you irritated and weak.

If you’re a victim to flu, these six tips will help you soothe the harsh symptoms:

1. Gargle with saltwater

Sore throat is one of the most common symptoms of flu. There’s no doubt that it can cause great discomfort and pain, making it tough to even sip on water.

Using salt water to gargle at least twice a day can help relieve the inflammation and soothe the pain. Adding salt to the water is important because it can help with the elimination of mucous.

2. Stay hydrated

If you think that you only need to stay hydrated when you have stomach flu, you are wrong. Keeping yourself hydrated becomes important even when you’re down with a cold. Drinking more water can help in getting rid of the mucous buildup. Moreover, the body gets dehydrated when you have a fever. So, increasing your water intake can ensure you’re able enough to fight the infection.

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3. Get some steam

Opting for steaming can help in relieving a blocked nose, dry cough, headache and sore throat. The water vapour helps loosen the mucous which helps eliminate it from the body. Hence, steaming can clear the congestion caused by the flu. Adding any medicated vapour rub can be of help as well.

4. Certain essential oils can help

In a study published in the journal Antiviral Research, the researchers found that tea tree oil can help slow down or prevent the virus from multiplying in your body. So, you can add a few drops of tea tree oil to the steaming water or add it to the oil diffuser you are using. Alternately, you can add it to the hand wash or the location you use.

However, essential oils can be harmful to children, pregnant and breastfeeding women. So, speak with your doctor before using them.

5. Increase your zinc intake

Zinc helps your body produce more germ-fighting white blood cells which strengthen your immune system. It also helps in slowing down the virus multiplication. In a study published in the SA Pharmaceutical Journal, it was observed that zinc can ease the symptoms of cold and flu.

6. Consume herbal tea

Herbal teas made of ginger, turmeric or cloves have antiviral properties. When you’re suffering from the seasonal flu, a brew made out of these three ingredients can calm your throat and chest congestion. What’s more, the antioxidants present in this mix can also help fight the virus. Green tea and black tea can also be extremely soothing but ensure that you’re not consuming caffeine beverages in excess since it can lead to dehydration.

The changing season can cause flu but you can do all these things we mentioned to soothe your symptoms!