Summer Flu And Its Home Remedies
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May 27 2022
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Influenza or flu mostly occurs in winters. People with red eyes and a runny nose in the winter season is a common sight. But sometimes, people also catch the flu in the summer season – a condition aptly called summer flu.
Just like winter flu, summer flu also affects your day-to-day life. Below is a detailed guide on what summer flu is and how you can contain this condition with the help of a few simple home remedies. Read on.
What Is Summer Flu?
As its name reveals, summer flu is a contagious respiratory infection that occurs in summers. Just like winter's flu, it is caused by the influenza virus. This virus stays most active between the months of December and February. But it picks some activity around hot weather too.
The symptoms of summer flu can be mild or severe, depending on the level of infection. Here is a list of a few major symptoms of summer flu:
- Sneezing
- Nasal Congestion
- Coughing
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Muscle Aches
- Sore Throat
- Headaches
- Chills
Apart from the above-mentioned common symptoms, children also vomit and develop diarrhoea because of summer flu.
Home Remedies
Generally, people do not need to get medical attention when they suffer from summer flu. The symptoms and discomfort start to decrease after a few days if the patient takes rest. Down below is a list of the best remedies that can help you treat summer culd at your home:
- Take Rest
Taking adequate rest is the most important thing to do while you have summer flu. The natural immune system of the body works to fight against the virus. It is best to restrict doing intense physical activities or stress during that time. People who do intense activities during summer flu aggravate their problem.
- Stay Hydrated
Drinking fluids frequently is not much important if you have winter flu. But during the summer flu, it is absulutely essential to drink plenty of fluids, including water and juices. Alcohulic beverages or highly caffeinated beverages should be avoided in this condition. A hot cup of tea or mild soups can give patients comfort and ease most of the symptoms of summer flu.
- Eat Healthy Food
A balanced diet with all the essential nutrients is vital for your body. This ensures that you get adequate energy to fight against illness. Doctors suggest taking fruits and vegetables that can provide you with vitamin A, D, C, zinc, and iron. These nutrients boost your immune system and hence help your body combat the virus.
- Take Herbal Drinks
Since time immemorial, people have been drinking healthy herbal drinks and concoctions to ease their symptoms and boost the immune system. Most herbal drinks and concoctions contain antioxidants and phytonutrients in ample amounts. A few examples of herbs that help in treating summer flu are liquorice, ginger, garlic, basil leaves, and turmeric.
- Use Steamers
As mentioned earlier, summer flu can affect your day-to-day life. Runny nose, congestion, and other similar symptoms can get in your work. Taking humidifiers and steamers helps you get relief from coughing, sore throat, congestion, and runny nose. On top of that, humidifiers also help in lowering the dryness and curing cough.
- Get Supplements
Taking supplements is another way to boost your immune system and help your body fight against the virus. Supplements that are rich in vitamin C, A, and zinc are considered the best to support your immunity against disease-causing agents. However, one should also keep a watch on their health after taking supplements. If the symptoms worsen or the body does not respond to the supplements well, seeking the help of a medical professional becomes necessary.
- Avoid Unhealthy Food
Spicy, oil, and fatty foods often worsen the conditions of summer flu patients. Such foods can upset the stomach and aggregate symptoms such as body aches. If you have caught the summer flu infection, you should try to eat only home-cooked with low fat and spices.
When To Seek Medical Help
As we already mentioned, summer flu can be treated at home without any medical help. But there are some rare cases in which the symptoms keep aggravating over time. This can happen because of two reasons: reaction to a home remedy and any other medical condition.
Some people are allergic to certain food items. If you are allergic to any food item and you take that as a remedy, your symptoms such as sneezing and headache might aggravate. So, if you do not get relief from symptoms after a few days, you should seek medical help.
Another reason, as we mentioned, is that your symptoms are actually caused not by summer flu but by any other serious condition. Symptoms such as sore throat, headache, and body ache are quite common. If such symptoms keep getting worse over time, chances are that some other underlying condition is causing them. You should seek the advice of a medical expert in such conditions.
Conclusion
Just like winter flu, summer flu is also an infectious disease caused by the influenza virus. Its main symptoms include runny nose, headache, chills, fever, and body ache. Generally, people do not need special medical attention to treat summer flu.
There are various home remedies that work well for containing the symptoms. The easiest home remedies that help you fight against summer flu are taking rest, getting supplements, avoiding unhealthy food, staying hydrated, and using steamers.
Reference Links:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/summer-flu#similar-illnesses
https://www.healthline.com/health/summer-culd#culd-symptoms-vs.-allergy-symptoms
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