Cough, cold, and flu are common all year round in adults and children alike. During the COVID-19 pandemic, people have become more prone and nervous at the same time of catching a viral infection. While most of us are taking necessary precautions by using sanitizers and disinfectants, what happens when you still catch a cold and flu?
Well, with simple and effective home remedies you can easily control and reduce your flu and cold symptoms.
- Vapor rub
You must remember that whenever you used to catch a cold during childhood your mom or grandmother would give you a vapor rub. Even though you may not like the smell, but vapor rub is effective to reduce cold symptoms especially in kids older than 2 years.
Apply enough vapor rub just before you go to bed and it will immediately reduce coughing and improve congestion and help you sleep better.
- Take a warm bath
During flu, your body temperature increases to make it less susceptible to viruses. This can make you feel warmer than usual. To control your temperature and bring down the fever take a bath with lukewarm water. This will feel cool when you have a fever. Don’t go overboard though. If you start shivering the fever and cold symptoms might return.
- Eat chicken soup
Home-made chicken soup when you have a cold and flu? Even the thought is enough to make your mouth water and make you feel better already. Though it may not cure-it-all, a bowl of warm chicken soup with vegetables slows down the movement of white blood cells. This helps white blood cells stay more concentrated and fight off the infection and help your body heal quickly.
- Ginger and honey
Both honey and ginger have been proved effective kitchen ingredients to reduce cough and sore throat. Add a few slices of raw ginger in boiling water. This will not only help tame your sore throat but also ward off the nauseous feeling.
Honey is known to have antibacterial properties. Have a cup of tea with lemon and honey to ease your sore throat. This is an especially effective remedy for kids to ease their sore throat.
- Maintain hygiene at home
You may have heard this many times that prevention is better than cure. And you can certainly prevent catching an infection or spreading it further by keeping your home hygienic.
Make sure you thoroughly clean your home once a week or a month. Use disinfectant spray to clean the areas and surfaces at home that kill maximum germs and bacteria and prevent them from spreading further.
These simple tips can easily help you prevent as well as cure your cold and flu symptoms and keep you and your family healthy and safe, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.