Summer flu: what makes it different and what helps beat it

A cold (doctors often refer to it as a flu infection) begins slowly with tingling in the nose, sneezing, and a watery runny nose that can later become hard and green. There is also a sore throat, hoarseness, dry cough, and later with sputum. The temperature is below 38 ° C, and after 5-7 days this can develop into bronchitis, sinusitis or otitis media.

Yes, but also because at this time of year there are more microbes in the air, less light and the body has to work harder due to the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors. Added to this is dry heating air.
We often spend time with other people in close proximity in closed rooms. Viruses can migrate faster.
It is especially important now to protect yourself from infection. This also includes frequent hand washing.

• Make sure to follow a balanced diet that contains plenty of fruits and vegetables, so that the body gets all the necessary vitamins and minerals in sufficient quantities.
• Drink enough: teas such as ginger, elderberry or lemon blossom tea, which stimulate the immune system, are especially suitable
• Alternating warm and cold showers activates the immune system – but only if you don’t have a cold yet
• Wear temperature-appropriate clothing
• Exercising a lot outdoors
• Exercise increases the immune system
• Get enough sleep
• Avoid stress, dry air heating and drafts, and always ventilate well.

• Drink a lot to loosen phlegm, for example using herbal tea with thyme or sage and sweetened honey
• Inhalation of hot steam stimulates blood circulation in the mucous membranes, and a hot bath with essential oils helps to relax and purify the respiratory system.
• To avoid dry air from heating, which dries out the mucous membranes, place a container with water and a drop of essential oil on the radiator
• Walking outdoors (not if you have a fever)
• Wrapping a lukewarm calf helps fight a fever
• Avoid stress so that the body has the strength to fight the virus
• Chest wraps, such as those made with hot mashed potatoes, relieve a cough
• Also helps in cases of cough: cut the onion into cubes, let it boil with candy sugar over low heat, let it brew for a while, then strain the drink through a cloth or coffee filter and take it with a spoon
• Chicken soup strengthens the body’s defenses

Chicken soup blocks certain white blood cells in the body, called neutrophils, which are jointly responsible for inflammatory processes and are released in large quantities during viral infections, including the common cold. This is revealed by studies at the University of Nebraska.

This is also proven: chicken soup contains the protein cysteine. It has an anti-inflammatory and decongestant effect on the mucous membranes. In addition, chicken soup contains significant amounts of the mineral zinc, which is bound to the protein histidine. With this combination, zinc, which is useful for infections, should be especially easy to absorb.

Chicken soup recipe with rice for 6 persons

• 1 chicken soup
• 1 onion
• 1 handful of vegetable soup
• 2 tablespoons parsley
• 2 cups rice
• 3 teaspoons instant vegetable broth
• Salt and Pepper
• 3 liters of water

Put the water in a large soup pot and bring it to a boil with a pinch of salt. Put the chicken in the pot without the giblets and add some pepper. It should simmer over low heat for 1 hour. In the meantime, wash the soup greens, clean the onions and chop everything into small pieces.
Take out the chicken and set it aside. Put the chopped vegetables and rice in the pot and season with vegetable broth. After about 20 minutes, the rice and vegetables are cooked.
Meanwhile, remove the bones and skin from the chicken and add the bite-size pieces to the soup. Let them cook for some time. Sprinkle a little parsley before serving.
If you want to increase the anti-inflammatory effect of chicken soup, you can cook a piece of ginger root or some cayenne pepper, according to your taste.

Cold, flu or allergies – how are you supposed to know the difference when the symptoms are a cough and a runny nose?

These questions can help:

• Do you suffer from redness, itching and tears in the eyes?
• Do you sneeze a lot?
• Does the pain get worse when you go outside?
• Is your nasal secretions clear and liquid?
• Do parents suffer from allergies?

If most of the answers are “yes”, it’s probably an allergy – this can be clarified by an allergist or an otolaryngologist.