We see a spike in cases of flu-like illnesses concurrent with the rainy season. Although the Department of Health has reportedly observed a decline in the number of cases compared to the same period last year, cases of flu are still ever-present and shouldn’t be ignored. All means of preventing the infection must be done. Such as isolation, wearing of masks, handwashing, and the like. 

While there are medications that could help manage symptoms of flu such as fever, body aches, cough, and colds, there is no known cure for this viral infection. We simply have to wait it out. After all, viruses are self-limiting. Our natural doctor, the immune system, fights the infection rendering the virus unable to reproduce itself and we get healed. Therefore, if you take paracetamol to bring your body temperature to normal, take a decongestant to relieve a clogged nose, or take a cough suppressant to prevent dry cough, or mucolytic to loosen phlegm, you are not killing the virus. You are simply managing symptoms caused by the viral infection. 

Flu can last between four to seven days. You can feel better faster by not solely relying on medications. There are ways to naturally boost the immune system, as well as, alleviate symptoms in combination with medications. Unfortunately, fast paced modern lifestyle has made us forget or neglect some traditional home remedies that have been proven effective.

Firstly, never underestimate the healing wonders of hydrotherapy. Heal with water. If you’re having a fever, use a small towel soaked in lukewarm water for a sponge bath. Ensure that body parts are well covered with clothing or towels afterward. Having a sponge bath, especially in areas like the neck, armpits, and groin will help lower the body temperature. Do not use cold water or alcohol as this may cause a rapid decrease in temperature and shivering. When this occurs, the skin may feel cooler but the internal body temperature may rise as a result of the shivering. 

Another form of hydrotherapy is steam inhalation. This is very effective for clogged nose and loosening mucus or phlegm in the throat. In a small basin or bowl, carefully put water that has just been boiled. You may add some essential oils like eucalyptus if available. Put a towel over your head and inhale the steam. For convenience, there is also steam inhalation equipment that can be bought in stores that sell medical supplies. 

Water intake is crucial when you have flu. You have to drink water throughout the day to keep hydrated. This will help lower your body temperature and prevent mucus formation that makes you cough and clog your nose. Water is needed by the immune system to make more white blood cells to fight infection. Always check the color of your urine. It must be light yellow. If it gets darker especially when you’re not taking any vitamin C supplements, then you are dehydrated even if your throat does not feel parched.

Second, don’t fight sleep. There is a reason why you feel tired and very sleepy when you have the flu. As a response to the infection, the immune system will release pro-inflammatory chemicals called cytokines. These proteins are like natural messengers that tell the immune system what to do, such as how many immune cells to produce. Cytokines make you want to sleep. This makes sense because when we sleep, our body can repair and recover. Therefore, it is unwise to keep on working when you have the flu. Don’t fight it. Just sleep and rest as much as you can. Otherwise, if you aren’t helping your immune system in fighting the infection, you won’t be able to shorten the duration of your illness.

Thirdly, you may not have an appetite but you must eat fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices. Grab a banana or an orange. Eat vegetable soup. Because these contain plant chemicals or phytochemicals that help bring down inflammation and aid the immune system. 

Have you ever had salabat or ginger tea? Ginger helps with pain and fever. It also soothes the throat. It has natural antimicrobial properties. You can add pure honey which is a natural cough suppressant.

Another functional food that I recommend is the osmanthus. It can come in the form of tea or freeze-dried powder. Studies have proven that osmanthus can relieve respiratory symptoms. I myself have taken this to loosen phlegm instead of taking a mucolytic drug. 

Lastly, practice oral and nasal care. You can gargle using warm water with salt. The salt draws water from your throat. With that comes the mucus and the virus. The same solution can be used for nasal sprays. However, over the counter preparations can be bought in drugstores for convenience. Disinfecting your throat and nose can decrease the development of virus and shorten the duration of infection.

Keep your family safe this flu season and hopefully, you will survive without getting any infection.

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