As many as 20 percent of Americans suffer from the flu each year, reports the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Along with the flu come symptoms like a fever, body aches and a sore throat. While a myriad of products are on the market to treat the symptoms of a cold, some home remedies for fever and sore throat may be just as effective in helping you to deal with the uncomfortable side effects of the common seasonal flu.
Lemon and Honey
Together, lemon and honey can fight the painful effects of a sore throat almost immediately, while helping to rid your throat of some of the mucus that is causing it to feel raw and uncomfortable. The Mayo Clinic recommends combining the two into a cup of hot water or tea, and sipping it slowly. The honey coats the throat to relieve pain, while the lemon has acidic properties to cut through excess mucus.
Fluids
When you have a high fever, it means your body is working extra hard to rid your body of bacteria, infection and the flu in general. Drinking plenty of fluids can help you keep your body temperature down by helping to replenish fluids and electrolytes. If you don't feel like drinking anything, or are having trouble keeping liquids down, try sucking slowly on an ice pop to get fluids into your system.
Salt Water
The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends a salt water gargle for sore throats. Mix together a glass of warm water with a teaspoon of salt and mix until dissolved. Take a mouthful of the salt water, but don't swallow it. Instead, gargle over a sink for thirty second. The salt will help to reduce mucus, while the warm water soothes the pain.
Lukewarm Bath
A lukewarm bath can help lower your body's overall temperature. A sponge bath that is administered over a 15-to-20-minute period can help lower your fever, says Lynn Sugarman, a pediatrician with Tenafly Pediatrics in Tenafly, New Jersey. Just make sure the water isn't so cold that it is shocking or that you're shivering, which raises your body's temperature.
Humidifier
Invest in a good quality humidifier to help combat the effects of a dry climate on your already-sore throat. A humidifier can help moisten the air so your throat isn't too dry, which can cause additional pain. The mayo Clinic warns that if yo choose to use a humidifier, you should fill it often and clean it often, so you aren't spreading bacteria in the air while you are trying to get better.
