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Colds and Flu -- Remedies to Combat Them

Everyone gets them. You know the symptoms:

• runny nose
• sneezing
• coughing
• red eyes
• sore throat
• headache and general body aches

What You Can Do to Relieve Your Symptoms

• Drink plenty of liquids.
• Get some extra rest - though it's not necessary to stay in bed.
• Take aspirin or acetaminophen for fever, aches and pains. But don't give aspirin to children.
• Combat stuffiness by using a humidifier in your bedroom and by taking hot showers.
• Avoid cold medicines that treat everything at once. Treat a stuffy nose with a decongestant, coughing with cough medicine and so forth.
• Use nasal decongestant sprays for no more than three days. Continued use can cause your nose to get more congested.

Try These Home Remedies

• Make your own nose drops to relieve congestion. Use 1/2 teaspoon of salt to 1 cup of lukewarm water. Discard after three days.
• Gargle with lukewarm salt water to relieve a sore throat.
• Enjoy as much steaming hot tea, chicken broth, or hot water as you like. The steam helps moisturize nasal passages.

Preventing Colds and Flu

Colds and flu are not caused by getting cold or wet. They are caused by one of 200 different viruses. People get more colds during cold weather simply because they are indoors more and in closer contact with other people and their germs. To reduce your chances or getting or spreading colds and flu:

• Wash your hands often and avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Eat and sleep well and get plenty of exercise to keep up your resistance.
• Get a flu shot in the fall, especially if you:
• • are over 65.
  • have a chronic illness such as diabetes, heart disease, or asthma.
  • have an immune system disorder.
  • are a healthcare worker who has frequent contact with patients.