It’s understandable that people begin to worry once they start showing symptoms of flu, because flu isn’t exactly the most welcome condition there is. It can be very annoying and inconvenient to have the telltale signs of flu all the same time: incessant cough, a stuffy or clogged nose, sore throat, body aches, headache, and worst of all, fatigue. This is why as soon as some of these symptoms begin to appear, you need to know how to get rid of them.
Dealing with flu symptoms as early as possible will prevent the flu from escalating. You don’t want to wait for the condition to worsen into full-blown flu, because the good news is that you can actually stop the symptoms in its earliest stages. Simple coughing or the onset of colds can be stopped, and you don’t have to spend a fortune doing so.
Here are the most cost-effective ways to stop flu symptoms before they worsen:
1. Amp up your fluid intake
People often forget the effectiveness of water therapy. Water is something we take for granted most of the time, but it’s actually one of the easiest flu-stoppers out there. Drinking 8 or more glasses of water in a day is something we can all benefit from, but even more so if you’re suffering from flu.
Drinking water solves nasal congestion because the water moistens the mucus membranes, and the sinuses drain the mucus more effectively. Additionally, at the onset of flu people usually experience fever, because this is the body’s way of reacting. The fever is usually coupled with dehydration, excessive sweating, vomiting, and even diarrhea, so increasing your fluid intake will really help.
While water is perhaps the cheapest and most readily available option, you have to remember that it’s also not just water that you can take in. Freshly-squeezed fruit juices that are high in Vitamin C will also do you good, and adding some squeezed lemon to your water can also add flavoring and much-needed zest. You can also go for hot tea, especially honey lemon tea which is known to solve a lot of flu-related problems.
2. Get a flu shot
Prevention is always better than cure, and flu is no exception. Flu shots and vaccines will help condition your immune system to fight the flu virus that can last all season. It’s quite easy and relatively cheap to get a flu shot, especially when you compare it to what you will go through once you catch the flu.
With flu shots, you can simply go to your neighborhood Walmart or Target and go to the Pharmacy section. They have a wide range of CDC recommended immunizations for adults, and you can get these from pharmacists in-store who have been properly trained to administer the shot.
3. Pay more attention to your hygiene
This seems so simple, but washing your hands and making sure you practice good hygiene can actually prevent flu symptoms. Hands can transfer the flu virus from one person to another, especially when you cover your mouth with it when you cough. Flu is a communicable disease, and when you keep touching surfaces like door knobs, table tops, and others that could be exposed to so many people, there’s always the danger of getting infected.
This is why washing your hands regularly and especially before you eat is very important.
4. Clean your surroundings
It’s also worth looking at how you can disinfect your surroundings, especially when someone in the house is sick. Giving your house a thorough cleaning is important, but you also need to think about disinfecting surfaces and toys. This prevents the virus from spreading and aids in faster recover.
5. Vitamins and minerals
Of course, you can also make sure you’re taking the necessary vitamins and minerals that you need. While there are a lot of supplements available, you can also increase your vitamin intake by paying more attention to the food that you eat. Increase your intake of green leafy vegetables and fruits that are rich in Vitamin C as well as all the other vitamins and minerals that can boost your immune system and help you recover faster.
6. Take a hot shower
Close your bedroom door, get in a hot shower, and breathe in the steam coming from the bath. Making your own personal sauna will help moisten and open your airways. This also helps in thinning the mucus in your sinuses, so you can breathe easier.
A similar solution would be to breathe in aromatic steam by filling the sink with steaming water, adding two teaspoons of chopped ginger, and leaning over the steam to literally ‘breathe it in.’ This has the same effect as the hot shower, and it’s important especially when you’re experiencing nasal congestion.
