Influenza

Influenza, also known as flu, is the clinical condition that results from infection with influenza viruses. The main effects of the influenza viruses are on the upper respiratory tract, the nose and throat, with possible spread and involvement of the lungs and bronchi. The disease is highly contagious and it has the potential to cause a widespread epidemic, affecting a sizeable portion of a population at any time.

Causes:

The flu usually begins abruptly, with a fever between 102 and 106 °F. (An adult typically has a lower fever than a child.) Other common symptoms include a flushed face, body aches, chills, headache, nausea, and lack of energy. Some people have dizziness or vomiting. The fever usually lasts for a day or two, but can last 5 days.

Somewhere between day 2 and day 4 of the illness, the whole body symptoms begin to subside, and respiratory symptoms begin to increase.

Symptoms:

The most prominent of the respiratory symptoms is usually a dry, hacking cough. Most people also develop a sore throat and headache. Nasal discharge (runny nose) and sneezing are common. These symptoms (except the cough) usually disappear within 4 - 7 days. Sometimes, the fever returns. Cough and tiredness usually last for weeks after the rest of the illness is over.

Dry cough
Fever - may be high
Headache
Muscle aches and stiffness
Sore throat
Stuffy, congested nose
Tiredness

Other symptoms may include:

Chills
Croupy cough
Dizziness
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Malaise
Nasal discharge
Shortness of breath
Sweating
Vomiting
Worsening of underlying illness, such as asthma or heart failure
Wheezing

Home Remedies:

Influenza treatment using Long Pepper:

The use of long pepper is one of the most effective remedies in the treatment of influenza. Half a teaspoon of the powder of long pepper, mixed with two teaspoons of honey and half a teaspoon of juice of ginger, should be taken thrice a day. This will help greatly if taken in the initial stages of the disease. It is especially useful in avoiding complications which follow the onset of the disease, namely, the involvement of the larynx and the bronchial tube.

Influenza treatment using Garlic:

Garlic is an excellent remedy for influenza. It is useful as a general antiseptic and the patient should take as much as he can bear.

Influenza treatment using Turmeric:

Turmeric is valuable in curing influenza. A teaspoon of turmeric powder should be mixed in a cup of warm milk and taken three times a day. It will prevent complications arising from influenza, and also activate the liver which becomes sluggish during the attack.

Influenza treatment using Onion:

Onion is also an effective remedy for influenza. Equal amounts of onion juice and honey should be mixed, and three or four teaspoons of this mixture should be taken daily in the treatment of this disease.

Influenza treatment using Ginger:

Ginger is an excellent remedy for influenza. A teaspoon of fresh ginger juice, mixed with a cup of fenugreek decoction and honey to taste, is an excellent diaphoretic mixture which increases sweating and reduces fever in this disease. The fenugreek decoction may be prepared by boiling one tablespoon of fenugreek seeds in half a litre of water, till it is reduced by one third.

Influenza treatment using Grapefruit:

The juice of grapefruit has proved useful in this disease as it tones up the body and the digestive tract.

Tea Remedy Combine equal parts of elder, peppermint, and yarrow. Then, steep 1-2 teaspoons of the tea mixture into a cup of hot water. It is best to drink this hot before bedtime. The not liquid induces sweat which helps stop the growth of influenza. Cayenne, cinnamon, and ginger can also be added to help either induce even more sweat, or to stimulate the body’s circulation.

Ayurvedic Medicines for the Treatment of Influenza:

1.Eucalyptus oil is used in many forms to stop the symptoms of fever, and can be used as part of the treatment for influenza.
2.Flucon tablets are available for combating the symptoms of influenza, including the cleaning of upper respiratory tracts, and the discontinuation of coughing and sneezing. These tablets have no side effects, and include a mixture of ingredients such as tinospora cordifolia, uraria picta, and a form of cinnamon. It is preferred with honey or lukewarm water. Also, there is no side effects at all.
3.Anand Bhairav Rasa is another herb that can be made into various forms to treat influenza.

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