Your Natural Defence Against the Flu

With the onset of the cold season, reduced sunlight, fatigue, back-to-school stress, and more time spent indoors, where pathogens circulate easily, our bodies become more vulnerable. Even with a healthy lifestyle and balanced diet, the body becomes less able to resist external aggression. Among the “recurrent” viruses comes influenza, or flu. This is why, every year, widespread outbreaks of influenza occur during late fall. Discover how to recognize the flu and explore tips to relieve its symptoms.

Influenza: What is it?

Influenza (flu) is a viral infection of the lungs and airways caused by one of the influenza viruses. Symptoms of the flu can include fever, feverish feelings or chills, cough, sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, muscle aches, headaches, fatigue, and general malaise.

The virus spreads through inhaling droplets coughed or sneezed out by an infected person, or by direct contact with an infected person’s nasal secretions.

Symptoms can begin suddenly and generally start 1 to 4 days after infection.

Common Cold or Flu: How Can You Tell the Difference?

The common cold and flu share many symptoms, so it can be difficult to tell the difference. Both can cause coughing, nasal congestion, and muscle aches. You may wonder: is it just a cold, or is it the flu? Although both are respiratory infectious diseases, they are caused by different viruses. Influenza produces symptoms that are more severe than those of the common cold. It also affects cells deeper in the respiratory tract.

Cold symptoms are usually milder than flu symptoms. In addition, a cold does not typically lead to serious complications, unlike the flu, whose most common complication is pneumonia and bacterial superinfection.

What Are the Flu Symptoms?

• Fatigue and general weakness
  When influenza hits, people often feel extremely tired and weak. Fatigue may persist for several days or occasionally weeks.

• Chills and chilly sensations
  When you feel unwell, your body shakes and alternates between feeling cold and hot within minutes. These are often the first symptoms of the flu, indicating that your body is preparing to fight the infection.

• Fever and headache
  Fever is a common characteristic of the flu. It can rise to between 100°F and 102°F (37.7°C to 39°C) and can last 3 to 5 days. A fever is the body’s natural reaction to an infection—it shows that the immune system is fighting back, which is actually a good sign. It may be accompanied by painful headaches that worsen under intense light.

• Aches and pains throughout the body
  Aches and pains are common flu symptoms. Pain often occurs in the back and legs and can appear without any physical exertion.

• Respiratory symptoms
  Respiratory symptoms can include sore throat, cough, and a runny nose. Coughing may start off dry and later become wet with phlegm production.

What Should You Do in Case of the Flu? Our Tips:

• Rest
  This is the first recommendation when the flu strikes. Give your body time to recover. Stay home, relax, and rest—watch a movie, read, and get plenty of sleep. Remaining at home also helps prevent spreading the virus.

• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids
  Staying hydrated helps with recovery and relieves flu symptoms, particularly fever. Drink lots of water, and don’t hesitate to enjoy your favourite tea.

• Try homeopathy to help relieve some of your symptoms.

Be Prepared with Oscillococcinum!

Boiron Oscillococcinum is a homeopathic medicine that relieves flu-like symptoms such as body aches, headache, fever, and chills. It helps reduce the duration of flu symptoms.

If symptoms persist or worsen for more than 48 hours, consult a health care practitioner.

A Homeopathic Medicine

Oscillococcinum is a natural health product that contains no dyes or preservatives. It does not cause drowsiness or sleeplessness and can be taken alongside other medications.

The whole family’s ally against flu-like symptoms. According to a study conducted in March 2021, 98% of users were satisfied with Oscillococcinum. (Study conducted by Axes Research among 340 consumers of anti-influenza products in France.)

Oscillococcinum can benefit the whole family: adults, children, and babies.

Pre-measured and easy to administer

Oscillococcinum is available in packs of 6, 12, or 30 single-use doses. For adults and children aged 2 years and older, pour the entire contents of one tube into the mouth and let the pellets dissolve. For infants aged 0 to 2 years, dissolve the contents of one tube in water before administering.

Reference:
https://www.merckmanuals.com/en-ca/home/infections/respiratory-viruses/influenza-flu

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