How to minimise colds and flu

It can be the most wonderful time of the year if sniffles and sneezes are making the rounds in your house. The good news is that you can steer clear of the season's under-the-weather blues by following a few simple yet effective strategies..

Quiet a Cough

Have a tea party. Warm drinks—like a cup of chamomile tea—help thin mucus, making you less likely to cough. Plus, you can add honey, which fights bacteria, and lemon, an antioxidant powerhouse. (Be sure to avoid giving honey to children under the age of 3.)

Linger in the shower. The moisture from the steam helps reduce throat inflammation that may cause a barky, croupy cough or hoarseness. It also loosens thick, dry mucus, easing congestion.

Have a sweet. Sucking on a piece of hard sweet or a sugarless mint sweet will help, too. Anything in the mouth helps calm the cough reflex, which is caused by phlegm tickling the back of the throat.

Pass the salt. Twice daily, mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water and gargle with it. This helps draw fluid out of inflamed throat tissue. It should help the swelling go down, making your throat feel better. The salt water may even wash away viruses and bacteria.

Curb Congestion

Sip some soup. Like all hot liquids, soup thins mucus in your airways, reducing stuffiness.

Spice up your diet. Forget about sticking to a bland diet when you're feeling under the weather. In fact, this is just the time to spice things up a bit. Cayenne pepper, garlic and curry open clogged passageways and make breathing easier..

Spray away. When you have a cold, your body releases inflammatory chemicals that can cause congestion and dripping. If you're really stuffed up, use an over-the-counter decongestant nasal spray twice daily. Just make sure you don't use it for longer than five days or you could become dependent. Younger children may benefit from a simple saline nasal spray followed up by the use of a nasal aspirator.

Fight the Flu

Medicine matters. Achiness and fever are signs that your body is wrestling with a flu virus. Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce inflammation. You also need to get plenty of sleep to strengthen your immune system. (Always check with your paediatrician before administering fever reducers and pain relievers to children under the age of 6.)

Get vaccinated. The best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu is with the vaccine. It takes about two weeks for your body to develop protective antibodies, so the sooner you get vaccinated the better.

Ease Earaches

Opt for ibuprofen. When you have a cold, ear pain is often due to a swollen eustachian tube (the passage that connects the back of the nose to the ear. Nasal congestion is what makes the tube swell. Taking ibuprofen every six to eight hours will help reduce the pressure in the tube and relieve the pain. (Always check with your paediatrician before giving ibuprofen to children under the age of 6.)

Grab some chewing gum. Chew sugarless gum or blow up balloons several times a day to help open the eustachian tube.