How can I know if I have flu?
April 30, 2016
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Flu
Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness. Serious outcomes of flu infection can result in hospitalization or death. Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated each year.
The upcoming season's flu vaccine will protect against the influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the season. This includes an influenza A (H1N1) virus, an influenza A (H3N2) virus, and one or two influenza B viruses, depending on the flu vaccine.
Symptoms
Influenza (also known as the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The flu is different from a cold. The flu usually comes on suddenly. People who have the flu often feel some or all of these symptoms:
- Fever or feeling feverish/chills
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue (tiredness)
- Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.
How can I know if I have flu?
Most people who get influenza will recover in a few days to less than two weeks, but some people will develop complications as a result of the flu, some of which can be life-threatening and result in death.
Pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus and ear infections are examples of complications from flu. The flu can make chronic health problems worse. For example, people with asthma may experience asthma attacks while they have the flu, and people with chronic congestive heart failure may experience worsening of this condition that is triggered by the flu.
Ayurvedic Cure
According to Ayurveda, Influenza results from an imbalance of the Kapha and Vata Doshas(Ayurvedic humors representing Water and Air respectively). Cold develops in the body when there's an excess of Kapha's cool, moist characteristics, causing a stuffy or runny nose and sneezing. And, excess Vata reduces the body's digestive fire, so you get the chills.
The Ayurvedic treatment of Influenza consists of pacifying the aggravated body energies, expelling excess mucus, restoring peripheral circulation, strengthening digestion and boosting immunity.
- Add just under ½ teaspoon each of ginger powder, fennel seeds and cinnamon and a pinch of clove powder to one cup of hot water. Let the herbs steep for about ten minutes; then strain them out of the tea before drinking. Drink as much of the tea as you wish.
- Neem has special air purifying qualities which help in alleviating airborne diseases, including all kinds of flu. Chew 3-5 fresh leaves of Neem daily to purify your blood.
- Take a concoction of ginger juice and honey a few times a day. This remedy gives instant relief from cough and cold.