Fever, Cold, and Flu – What Causes It, and What Fixes It
A fever by definition is a rise in body temperature above ‘normal’ 98.6 degrees F or 37 degrees C. It’s often a symptom of an underlying condition, usually an infection. Fever, cold, and flu are common during the change of seasons, caused by seasonal viruses.
How to detect cold and flu
The common cold and flu are respiratory illnesses caused by different viruses. Usually they occur along with fever. Cold viruses are large in number and can cause infection any time of year, but the greatest is during flu season from October to Mid-May, usually symptoms are at their worst during the initial 2-3 days and include:
- Sore or irritated throat
- Blocked nasal passages from phlegm and mucus
- Sneezing and runny nose, discharge is usually clear initially, but gets thicker and darker over time
- Fatigue and weakness
- Body pain
- Rise in body temperature
- Changes in taste and smell
- Feeling of pressure in ears, face, and eyes
Causes of fever, cold, and flu:
There are several causes of fever, it occurs as an immune response by your body to foreign parties. This can include viruses, bacteria, fungi, drugs, or other toxins which trigger the body’s immune response.
Fever is also a common symptom of infection, mostly in children. Common causes include infection in ears, lung, skin, throat, or kidney, side effects of drugs or medicines, vaccines and factors that cause inflammation. Less common causes are cancer, blood clots, autoimmune disease, hormonal disorders, and illegal drugs.
Natural Remedies:
It’s important to drink plenty of fluids like water, juice, broth, or oral hydration solutions. It will help you compensate fluid loss from sweating. Rest is also important when you are sick.
- Garlic
Garlic is a natural antiseptic which helps fight viruses. For best results you can put a small clove in your mouth and breathe the fumes into your throat and lungs. If you feel that’s too strong tear or crush into small pieces and swallow it with water.
- Gingerroot
Works great for treating congestion. Grate the gingerroot and eat small portions. You can also take it to protect your upset stomach after eating. You can have a cup of ginger tea which helps block the production of substances that cause bronchial congestion. It’s a natural cough suppressant.
- Remove white foods
As soon as you notice signs of illness remove white foods from your diet including sugar, milk, cheese, dairy products, white bread and rice. These foods suppress immune function and slow the body’s healing ability. Eat fresh food and hot liquids that help healing. When you are ill you usually don’t need a lot of food.
- Cinnamon
Besides stabilizing blood sugar it helps fight fever, it’s an effective antiviral and antibiotic. When you’re sick, mix 1 tablespoon cinnamon with 1 tablespoon honey and stir into hot water to make a spicy tea that will help relieve cough, congestion, and fever.
- Coconut oil
Coconut oil is high in Lauric acid which dissolves the lipid coating around viruses making them more susceptible to attack by the immune system. When sick consume 5-6 tablespoons of coconut oil each day in your food or stir it into your hot tea. It’s very effective at boosting your immune system.
- Peppermint
Peppermint is great for lowering fever and treating digestive problems. You can rub it on your skin to lower fever or enjoy it in your tea. It has antimicrobial and antiviral properties and also pleasant tasting.
Note: If home remedies are not effective please see your doctor, these remedies are not intended as substitution for professional medical advice
