Effective Ways to Prevent Common Cold and Flu
Cold and flu season often comes with disrupted sleep, work, and family life. According to Intermountain Healthcare, colds are usually milder than the flu (and they rarely cause fever), and can resolve with extended rest. Flu symptoms last for a shorter duration, but are more severe. They begin suddenly, cause fever, and may cause nausea and vomiting. Flu is also preventable by vaccination (i.e., a yearly flu shot). Both cold and flu are typically viral infections, and share some common treatments. Here are some natural remedies for cold and flu symptoms that one can try at home: 1. Eat chicken soup While this advice may seem like old news, WebMD agrees that chicken soup has been demonstrated to ease symptoms of congestion and inflammation that are associated with cold and flu virus. Hot soup broth can help alleviate the buildup of mucus in one’s sinuses as well. 2. Use a humidifier or vaporizer As Sylvane Indoor Health notes, because flu and cold viruses tend to spread quickly in dry air, an air humidifier will help reduce your risk of transmitting your illness to others in your household. Difficulty breathing due to congestion and sore throats are also common complaints of cold and flu sufferers, and an air humidifier can help to soothe these symptoms.