Home remedies | Flu

Home remedies

Although home remedies are often recommended for the treatment of influenza, it must be mentioned that a real flu, i.e. an infection with an influenza virus, should not be confused with a cold, including flu-like infections. The “real” flu is a disease that in some cases can lead to serious complications and even death, so treatment, especially in risk groups, should be discussed with a doctor. However, there are helpful home remedies that can somewhat alleviate the symptoms associated with influenza.

For example, flu can quickly lead to relevant dehydration through the occurrence of fever attacks or diarrhea, which can be easily controlled with soups or teas. These hot liquids can also be pleasant in the case of an accompanying sore throat. The electrolytes contained in the soup additionally supply these to the body when taken. In the case of fever, calf compresses can be helpful to get a grip on the increased temperature. In case of problems such as a blocked nose or dry nasal mucous membranes, nasal rinses or inhalations with salt water can provide relief.

Difference flu/cold

The common cold, often also called “flu-like infection”, is a viral disease that is often confused with a “real” flu. A “real” flu is an infection with the influenza virus, a disease that in some cases can take a very severe course. Although the pathogen that causes the common cold is also a virus, a number of different viruses can be held responsible for the development of the common cold.

In most cases these are viruses of the families of adenoviruses, rhinoviruses, coxsackieviruses, parainfluenza viruses or enteroviruses. Due to the similar symptomatology of the two diseases, it is easy to confuse them. However, there are some typical differences that can be used to distinguish a “normal” cold from a flu: For one thing, the sudden onset of the flu is a factor that distinguishes a flu from a cold.

Within hours, the symptoms of influenza can affect the person affected to such an extent that a normal everyday life is no longer possible. Particularly sudden onset of fever and aching limbs are warning signs here. In contrast, a cold usually announces itself the day before with weaker symptoms and general malaise.

At the same time, fever attacks, as they typically occur for flu, are rather the exception for a simple cold. The duration of the illness is another factor that distinguishes the simple cold from the flu. The symptoms of a cold usually improve after only 3-4 days, whereas the course of a flu usually lasts at least a week and in some cases can even last several weeks.

If the presence of a flu virus is suspected, a physician should be consulted in any case, who can make the distinction on the basis of a doctor-patient conversation and a physical examination, and if necessary initiate the correct therapy for the respective illness. Healthy adults without chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system, the immune system or the metabolism usually have a complication-free course. There is a complete cure of the flu without any consequences.

If the course is rich in complications, the prognosis depends on the age of the patient, previous illnesses and the state of the immune system.In an elderly patient with known coronary heart disease and the complication of bacterial pneumonia in addition to influenza, the prognosis is more serious, in the worst case the disease can be fatal. Influenza is a contagious disease of the respiratory tract caused by influenza viruses. It is transmitted by droplet infection and is characterized by a very sudden onset of the disease.

The most common symptoms are headaches and aching limbs, high fever above 39°C and chills and dry cough. The flu usually lasts one to two weeks, but many patients feel weak and less able to perform for some time. In high-risk patients such as the chronically ill, those over 65, infants, toddlers and pregnant women, flu can cause complications such as pneumonia, meningitis and heart muscle inflammation, which can lead to death. For the risk groups mentioned above, annual flu vaccination should be considered.