The best remedies for flu symptoms

There is no cure for the flu, but there are many ways to treat and prevent the discomfort and suffering the flu can cause. Discover your best options.

Usually, the flu will run its course in about one-to-two weeks. However, for some people, especially those with pre-existing health conditions, the virus can drag on for more than a month.

• The flu can turn into pneumonia if the lungs become super-infected.
• Otitis (inflammation of ear) is a common complication and frequently occurs in children.
• Adults carrying the flu virus are contagious for about six days, while children remain infectious for up to 10 days. The best way to avoid catching the flu is to practice good hygiene, i.e., wash your hands frequently and cough into your elbow.

Flu shots are strongly recommended every year, especially for the elderly and those with fragile health. Influenza A and B vaccinations are 80 per cent effective in healthy people. Unfortunately there is no guaranteed immunity.

• There’s no doubt about it: the best remedy for the flu is plenty of rest and fluids. The body needs a minimum of eight glasses of liquid per day when you have a fever, like water, sugar-free juice and herbal tea.
• Over-the-counter medications and cough suppressants do not cure the flu, but will reduce your symptoms and allow you to sleep better.
• Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can relieve muscle pain, headache and fever.
• Antiviral medication is prescribed in cases where complications may occur (for the elderly, asthmatics and very young children). However, it’s only effective if taken within the first two days of contracting the virus.

• Garlic has true medicinal benefits. To extract the therapeutic properties, crush the garlic with a press and then let it activate for 15 minutes. It’s an ideal ingredient to add to soups or salads. It’s recommended to eat garlic every three or four hours, either in tablet form, or cut into pieces and swallowed with water.
• Gin Hot Toddy is an old remedy to induce sweating and aid sleep. Add 30 to 60 millilitres of gin to a cup of boiling water; add honey or lemon to taste (you may also add fresh ginger, cloves or nutmeg).
• Mustard poultice works well just before bedtime. It's a great decongestant for the lungs and relieves inflammation. Prepare a paste of dry mustard and water; add flax flour to thicken (if necessary). Spread the mixture on a cloth or towel and then fold it in two. Apply the compress to the chest or back for 15 minutes. Remove it as soon as you feel intense heat.
• Warm chicken broth hydrates your throat and clears the nasal passages. Warm broth and soup fights the virus by creating an inhospitable environment for germs.