Summer flu: how it differs and what helps against it

The common cold (doctors often call it a flu infection) begins slowly with a tingling in the nose, sneezing, and a runny nose, which can later become hard and yellow-green. There is also a sore throat, hoarseness, dry cough, and later with sputum. Temperature below 38 ° C, in 5-7 days it can develop into bronchitis, sinus or otitis media.

Yes, but it is also because at this time of year there are more microbes in the air, less light and the body has to work harder because of the temperature difference inside and outside. To this is added dry air for heating.
We also often spend time with other people in the immediate vicinity indoors. Viruses can migrate faster.
Now it is especially important to protect yourself from infection. This also includes frequent hand washing.

• pay attention to a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables so that the body has all the necessary vitamins and minerals in sufficient quantities
• drink enough: teas such as ginger, elderberry or lime blossom tea, which stimulate the immune system, are especially suitable
• alternating warm and cold showers invigorates and activates the immune system, but only if you have not caught a cold
• wear clothes appropriate to the temperature
• do a lot of outdoor activities
• Sport increases immunity
• get some sleep
• Avoid stress, dry heating air and drafts and always ventilate well.

• drink a lot to relax sputum, for example, use herbal teas with thyme or sage and sweeten honey
• Inhalation of hot steam promotes blood circulation in the mucous membranes, and a hot bath with essential oils helps to relax and clean the airways.
• To avoid dry air from heating, which dries the mucous membranes, put a bowl of water and a drop of essential oil on the radiator.
• Walking in the fresh air (not if you have a temperature)
• warm calf wraps help against fever
• Avoid stress so that the body has the strength to fight the virus
• Chest wraps, such as hot mashed potatoes, relieve cough
• also helps with cough: onions cut into cubes, bring to a boil with sugar over low heat, let stand for a while, strain the brew through a cloth or coffee filter, and then take a spoonful
• Chicken soup strengthens the body’s defenses

Chicken soup blocks certain leukocytes in the body, so-called neutrophils, which are jointly responsible for inflammatory processes and are released in large quantities in viral infections, including colds. This was shown by research at the University of Nebraska.

And this is also proven: chicken soup contains the protein cysteine. And it has anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous effect on mucous membranes. In addition, chicken soup contains a significant amount of the mineral zinc, which is associated with the protein building block histidine. Due to this combination, zinc, which helps with infections, should be especially easy to digest.

Chicken soup recipe with rice for 6 people

• 1 chicken soup
• 1 bulb
• 1 bunch of soup greens
• 2 tbsp. parsley
• 2 cups rice
• 3 teaspoons of instant vegetable broth
• salt and pepper
• 3 liters of water

Pour water into a large soup pot and bring to a boil, adding a pinch of salt. Put the chicken in the pan without giblets and add a little pepper. Cook over low heat for about 1.5 hours. Meanwhile, wash the soup greens, peel the onions and cut everything into small pieces.
Remove the chicken and set aside. Place the chopped vegetables and rice in a saucepan and season with vegetable broth. In about 20 minutes the rice and vegetables are ready.
Meanwhile, remove the bones and skin from the chicken and add the pieces to the soup. Let them cook a little. Sprinkle with parsley before serving.
If you want to enhance the anti-inflammatory effect of chicken soup, you can cook a piece of ginger root or a little chili, depending on your taste.

Colds, flu or allergies – how to distinguish the symptoms of cough and runny nose?

These questions can help:

• Do you suffer from red, itchy and watery eyes?
• Do you sneeze often?
• Does the pain increase when you go outside?
• Is your nasal secretion clear and liquid?
• Did your parents have allergies?

If most of the answers are “yes”, then it is probably an allergy – this can be clarified by an allergist or ENT doctor.