Help your body to fight against flu

How to Fight the Flu?

Flu is an infectious disease caused by a virus and it is manifested by symptoms like coughing, fever, muscle pain, and an overall discomfort. Depending on the individual’s immune system some people come into contact with flu more often and get sick while others have trouble remembering the last time they experienced any of the flu like symptoms.

In addition to the strong defense systems of the body healthy nutrition plays a major role in preventing and fighting the flu. There are many sources of good nutrients but people have found pure orange juice and lean protein to be particularly effective. Fruits rich in vitamin C help the body get its necessary dose of the antioxidant which in return keeps it stronger or better equipped to fight. Garlic is loaded with phytochemicals which fight bacteria, while certain types of mushrooms and barley are also known to be effective. In case a person gets a sore throat or other similar bacterial infections tea with honey and soup are very helpful. Peppers, sweet potatoes, grains, and nuts may eliminate digestive problems and at the same time be great sources of energy. In other words, even those who are generally predisposed to catching common cold and flu can substantially reduce their risk of getting sick.

Another very important aspect of flu prevention is good personal hygiene or in particular hand washing on a regular basis. When it comes to ensuring the sufficient daily intake of nutrients to fight off the flu it is imperative that meals are consumed on time, especially breakfast. In order to fully benefit from healthy eating individuals have to make the time and effort. Eating healthy in todays fast pace environment can definitely be challenging but even for those who regularly eat out there are still ways to keep the diet in check. For instance, instead of having a hamburger it is far more beneficial to opt for a salad full of colorful vegetables. Even when a person goes out for drinks it is possible to watch the nutritional intake and order a cocktail that contains orange juice. In addition, there have been numerous recent clinical studies which have shown that combining certain foods increases their overall effect. For example, combining tomatoes with olive oil is very healthy. However, one should keep in mind that enjoying the foods could be just as beneficial as their healthy nutrients so trying to eat something a person finds unappetizing no matter how healthy it is may be unnecessary. Meals should be tasty, accessible and convenient to prepare.

Is Vaccination the Best Option?

Many parents have to deal with various infections which their child brings home from kindergarten or school. It should be noted that both the flu and the common cold begin as mild respiratory infections usually taking place in the nose and throat. In the case of common cold the symptoms to look out for are sore throat, mild to moderate fever, runny nose, and cough. When it comes to the flu, however, the symptoms escalate to stomach problems such as vomiting and diarrhea, high body temperature and sweating.

Health care workers usually agree that common colds are difficult to prevent, but the case is different when it comes to the flu. Children older than 6 months should be vaccinated annually while individuals predisposed to health complications such as asthma should also consider vaccination. When treating the common cold, medical care providers advise parents to give their children Tylenol if the symptoms include headaches, elevated body temperature, sore throat, and muscle pain, but many advise against it if the child is younger than 6. Parents should be cautious when giving their children cough syrups as they stimulate the heart and are better used if recommended by a doctor.

Since both the cold and the flu are caused by a virus the doctors do not prescribe antibiotics unless there is a possibility of a bacterial infection as well. It is particularly important never to give young children Aspirin as it can lead to subsequent blood, liver, and brain problems. When it comes to simple things parents can do at home to ease the symptoms of the flu actions like using saltwater nose drops, drinking plenty of fluids, or using a humidifier in the bedroom would help the child breathe. In addition, teaching the child not to share tissues, to wash hands regularly, and to sneeze into his or her elbow stop further spreading of the virus. It is a common misconception that children are more prone to catching the flu than adults, but in fact the susceptibility of an average adult and an average child is relatively equal. However, children get flu more often because their personal hygiene habits are not fully developed so they spread germs easily.