This article is about ways to get rid of Influenza. Influenza is an extremely infectious viral disease of the respiratory system. It is caused by a virus and is characterized by high fever, headache, muscle pain, and various other symptoms. Around two days after viral infection, you can notice some of these signs. In many parts of the world, every year, around 30-35% of the population get affected with the influenza. It is a communicable disease in nature and can be transmitted directly from an infected person. Avian flu and swine flu are two examples of the worldwide spread of highly contagious viral infection. However, there are some home remedies listed in this article which can be quite useful to get rid of influenza safely and effectively. But before discussing remedies, let us know about types, causes and symptoms of influenza.
Types Of Influenza:
1.) Influenza A
Influenza A type of Virus affects people, pigs, birds, horses and many more. But mainly wild birds are the carriers of these deadly virus. Virus from these wild birds get passed to poultry, which in turn infects the people and sometimes outbreak the human influenza pandemics.
2.) Influenza B
Influenza B viruses are accountable for the same range of diseases as Influenza A. Although Influenza B does not result in pandemics. This is because of the lack of a host for the virus. Only human and seals act as a host for this virus.
3.) Influenza C
Influenza C virus causes mild respiratory sickness as compared to other respiratory viruses and is not a threat to cause epidemics. Generally, almost all adults get affected by the influenza C virus.
Causes of Influenza:
Out of above three mentioned influenza viruses Type A and type B flu are accountable for the seasonal breakout of flu. Type A viruses have different host to breed on like chickens, duck, horses, pigs, etc. Whereas, type B spreads only among humans. It is usually caused from coming in contact with a person who is already infected. It spreads mainly through touching, sneezing or coughing. It can also be caused by touching an infected surface and then touching their mouth and nose. A Healthy person may also infect another person beginning a day before symptoms appears and up to 7 days after becoming ill. It means a person can be a host for infecting another person before even knowing that he/she is already ill.
Symptoms Of Influenza:
- Fever and Chills
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Cough
- Tiredness
- Muscle pain
- Headache
Home Remedies to Get Rid of Influenza:
Contents
1.) Liquid Diet to Get Rid of Influenza
When you get the flu, it can make you suffer from dehydration as well, mainly if you are vomiting. It is necessary to look after water the balance in your body. Drink plenty of liquid to keep yourself hydrated. For this, you can water, juices, electrolyte drinks, soda etc. Do not include drinks, which contain caffeine as caffeine promotes dehydration. You can opt for herbal tea such as green tea, Peppermint tea, etc. Adding honey to it can soothe a sore throat. Try taking small sips so that you don’t feel like vomiting it back. To know whether you are taking sufficient liquid diet, you can see your urine color, it should be pale yellow or nearly colorless.
2.) Vitamin C to Get Rid of Influenza Naturally
Vitamin C is one of the essential factors to boost up your immune system. A better immune system keeps you away from various viruses and diseases. Take plenty of food rich in Vitamin C at regular intervals as our body discards the excess of vitamin C and does not store it. You can take supplements to meet your daily requirement of Vitamin C. Otherwise, simply go for Vitamin C rich food. Includes foods such as oranges, papaya, pineapple,guava, broccoli, cauliflower, sprouts, chili peppers, Kiwi, citrus fruits. You can either eat or can drink juice of them.
3.) Sleep More to Get Rid of Influenza Fast
Always Keep in mind, the best way to get rid of influenza is to take plenty of sleep (more than you think you need). When you sleep your body focuses more on repairing and maintaining your organs. So, taking more sleep will let your body to eliminate the virus from your body. It will also help improve your immune system to get rid of influenza flu. An adult requires about 8 hours of sleep a day. Whereas, if a person is below 18 or above 65, he/she needs to take a minimum 10 hours of sleep. It is because, our metabolism and immune system between 18-65 is stronger as compared to the rest. If congestion irritates your sleep, take peppermint tea before sleeping which helps in reducing congestion.
4.) Steam to Cure Influenza Fast
Taking a steam shower can help effectively in relieving the nasal passage from congestion which irritates you. It helps in clearing your sinuses and stuffy nose. Apart from taking a hot shower, you can do the the following thing.
Directions:
- Boil some water in a pot and place it onto a table.
- Now, move your head over the pot and make a tent with a towel over your head (covering pot also) completely.
- Like this, you will be able to inhale steam more efficiently.
- This will help in opening your nasal passage, clear stuffy nose and also improve your sinuses.
- You can even add peppermint leaves to it. It will give relief from congestion.
5.) Humidifier as a Remedy for Influenza Treatment
Breathing in moist air helps to ease nasal congestion and sore throat. You can either take a steam shower or inhale steam directly as suggested above. Otherwise, go for a humidifier to moisten the air. Adding a few drops of peppermint or eucalyptus oil to the humidifier will make it more effective to get rid of influenza. Remember to keep the humidifier clean, as damp conditions can help grow various micro-organisms.
Instead of humidifier, you can also boil some water in a pot. Add some peppermint oil or leaves to it. Close your room to let steam be intact and be more effective in order to relieve you from the condition. Always use distilled water because normal water may attract germs and bacteria to breed and worsen your condition.
6.) Suckers to Get Rid of Influenza Fast
Throat lozenges, cough drop and candies can be significantly effective to ease a sore throat, congestion, and cough. Remember, it just helps to make you feel relieved and also diverts your mind from your condition. Though it’s not actually helping to get rid of influenza. But, it doesn’t mean you should not consider taking it. Along with the treatment you can take these lozenges, cough drop or candies to keep you away from soreness, cough, and congestion.
7.) Proper Hygiene to Get Rid of Influenza Fast
As you know influenza is a highly contagious viral infection, it is required to keep yourself clean as much as you can. Blowing nose can transmit virus to your hands. Then touching body, face, door knob, etc. can transmit virus everywhere. In result, these viruses can spread to your family members and can also worsen your condition. Shower with warm water, use a new and clean tissue every time you blow your nose. Use a hand sanitizer every time you touch any contaminated surface, your mouth, nose, etc. It is because the hands are the main carrier of germs and bacteria mostly.
8.) Echinacea to Get Rid of Influenza
Any disease you suffer from, affects your immune system. Influenza virus does the same, it reduces your immunity to fight against the virus thus causing you influenza. A strong immunity has always prevented you from getting ill, from most of the viral infections. To boost immunity, you can use echinacea to stimulate the immune system to get rid of influenza. Echinacea can be found in powder, pills, and tea form. You can take pills or powder directly, or can take it in tea form as well.
9.) Green Tea to Get Rid of Influenza
Green tea is considered to be a proven herb to prevent flu. It’s been in use for centuries in Asia for various properties, such as it helps to reduce stress, uplift mood, freshen you up. It has antioxidant properties and many other qualities. It contains a compound known to promote those cells which help to repair respiratory system. It helps to repair lungs and damaged intestine as well. It also prevent flu from further ruining your body internally.
Directions:
- Take 3-4 cups of green tea daily to get rid of influenza.
- You can take it even after your condition is cured to maintain good health.
10.) Salt Water Gargle to Get Rid of Influenza
Salt water gargle can be effective in order to get rid of influenza. It helps to eliminate germs and bacteria present in the mouth causing sore throat. Here is the method to do it.
Directions:
- Take a cup of warm water and add 1 tsp of salt into it.
- Gargling with salt water helps to reduce swelling, pain and irritation in the throat.
- It helps in treating nasal congestion.
- Repeat this process 3-4 times a day.
