Do you have a problem with your nose? Have you irritation in your throat? Do you sneeze frequently? You call it cold or flu. It is hard for you, as the symptoms can overlap gradually. Until a doctor conducts a flu test, it is hard to confirm you have a cold or flu. You know having a close look at the symptoms of common cold and flu can enable you to differentiate both. Apart from the symptoms, this write-up has disclosed healthy ways to get rid of common cold & flu.
Table of content
- Symptoms of a common cold
- Symptoms of flu
- What is common cold?
- What is flu?
- 9 Healthy ways to get rid of the common cold & flu
Symptoms of a common cold
Viruses are the reasons behind your common cold and flu. If you have a cold, the symptoms may be like these:
- Stuffy/running nose
- Sneezing
- Sore throat
- Mild tiredness
- Cough
- Body aches/headache
Symptoms of flu
If you have the flu, you may have symptoms like:
- Sore throat
- Severe body/muscle aches
- Headache
- Running nose
- Dry and hacking cough
- Moderate to high fever
- Vomiting and nausea (very common in children)
- Severe fatigue
What is common cold?
Caused by viruses, the common cold is an infection that occurs in the upper respiratory system. According to recent research, around 100 viruses cause you to have a common cold. You can get affected by it anytime, but you have higher risks in winters. Low immunity helps viruses infect you.
You can get affected by common cold if you are in contact with the infected persons or touch the surface used by an infected person. Recovering from common cold takes 7-10 days. However, its symptoms last for two weeks.
What is flu?
Flu or influenza is a seasonal upper respiratory illness. Starting from spring, flue gets a boost in winters. During flu season, you get affected by it the same way as cold. You are ill 5-7 days if you get infected by the flu. It can develop into a serious health problem i.e., pneumonia if not cared of properly.
9 Healthy ways to get rid of the common cold & flu
- Take proper rest – You know your body strives hard to fight infection when you are ill. Your body requires more energy. Leave going to work, school/college and keep your daily routine aside until you get better.
- Drink fluids – You have congestion in your nose, throat or even in your chest when you get affected by common cold & flu. Drinking fluids helps you break the congestion and prevents fatigue and headaches that are results of dehydration. Keep a glass close to you and refill it with water frequently. Stay away from alcohol, coffee, and other caffeinated drinks.
- Take bed rest – Keep in mind that skimping on sleep breaks your immunity, and you take more time in recovering. Changing the position in sleep helps, but you must stay away from watching television for long hours. Go to bed early and have a sound sleep. Snap during the day. Bed rest helps you recover soon.
- Use salt water to gargle – Gargling with warm salt water helps you soothe your throbbing throat. It eases swelling and makes your mucus to lose. Take a cup of warm water and mix a teaspoon of salt in it and mix it until it dissolves. Gargle with this mixture until you feel better.
- Sip a hot beverage – Many studies have shown that heat makes you feel better from fatigue and sore throat. Therefore, take lemon water, herbal tea, or warm broth.
- Take a spoonful of honey – Honey can soothe a cough and coat the throat. According to a study, a spoonful of honey given to an adult and a half of spoon of honey given to a child works wonder and helps the patients have sound sleep without a cough. Do not give honey to a baby younger than one year.
- Have warm shower – Steam breathe moistens scratchy nose and throat and loosens the congestion. The heat can help you relax from aching muscles.
- Take chicken soup – Chicken soup calms down inflammation in your body. Having warm soup may ease the symptoms, like stiffness and body aches.
- Consult a doctor – Don’t forget to consult your doctor when you notice home remedies are not working and more than 5 days have gone since you have got infected. Follow the instructions of your doctor and take medicines timely.