Tips on avoiding and treating cold and flu
Published: June 18, 2018 Last Updated: January 21, 2024
Simple, effective things to prevent coughs, colds and flu.
The portals of entry are the nostrils, mouth and throat. As we all get back to work and school where we are in contact with many people, it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with viruses and bacteria, including H1N1, in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.
While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practised:
1. Wash
Frequent hand-washing.
2. Touch
'Hands-off-the-face' approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of the face (unless to eat or bathe.)
3. Gargle
Gargle twice a day with warm saltwater. Salt is effective. H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat / nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive, and powerful preventative method.
4. Clean
Similar to 3 above, clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm saltwater. You can use a neti pot, gently inhaling dilute salt water into each nostril in the shower, or a nasal saline spray, such as Fess from the Chemist. Not everybody may be good at cleaning nasal cavities. Blowing the nose softly once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is also effective in reducing the viral population.
5. Eat
Boost your natural immunity with fresh, whole foods, especially those rich in Vitamin C. Regular exercise that invigorates but does not exhaust. Eat breakfast, one of the main ways to invigorate our immune system. Get adequate sleep and rest.
6. Drink
Drink and sip regularly lots of warm liquids (tea, herb and green teas, warm water, warm lemon drinks). Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.
Respond to the first signs. Often these problems can be headed off in the first hours. Start taking herbs, get treatment, at least call the clinic. Watch thinking “I will wait and see how I am tomorrow.”
Kick A Germ Joy Juice
Here is a simple and very effective recipe to try for the early onset of a cold or flu.
- 1 teaspoon crushed fresh garlic
- 1 teaspoon crushed fresh ginger
- 1 pinch dried cayenne pepper
- Juice of 1 lemon
Put all ingredients in a mug. Pour boiling water over them and steep for a few minutes. Add honey to taste. Sip soon before bed at the very first sign of a problem. If there is also a sore throat and fever, add a big pinch of dried peppermint or fresh mint.
The recipe may induce a mild sweat.
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