Coughs, colds and other bugs Part 2 - Cure

What you can do if the germs do strike. You can't avoid them altogether and there really is no cure so the best thing is to grin and bear it.
Here is some advice on how to make your grinning a little easier and the bearing more bearable.

# Once you start feeling the sneezes , STOP ALL MILK AND OTHER DAIRY PRODUCTS for at least 2 weeks. Milk irritates mucous membranes in normal circumstances and you will find that this dramatically reduces the quantity of catarrh your body produces. Don't worry about the calcium - it is an element that your body stores. There is calcium in many other foods. Water contains large quantities of calcium, too.

# Drink plenty of water or water - based drinks

# Eat what you fancy. Soups and pureed foods are easier to swallow, cold jellies are soothing for sore throats. Don't let yourself get hungry.

# If children are vomiting, DO NOT GIVE PLAIN WATER. Liquids such as FLAT coca-cola, Aquarius, herbal or lemon teas can be administrated in small sips 1 1/2 hours after the last "session". Water will activate vomiting once more.

# Get as much rest as possible.

# If you can handle the possible headache and creaky bones that come with a fever it is best not to take any medication. The high temperature is there to kill the germs which have entered your body. If you take the temperature down these germs will live longer. Take  paracetamol or ibuprofen only when you can't stand the pace any longer, or if you want a good nights sleep.

# Don't run to the doctor at the first signs of fever. Let at least 24 hours go by and then he/she will be able see a reason for your fever like a throat or an ear infection, bronchitis, etc. I usually wait three days.

# Don't wait to blow noses. Catarrh is a mixture of germs and your body's reaction to them. If you "bubble" all day long, you are giving the germs time to multiply. Cover one nostril and blow through the other, then visa versa. Not such a good idea to blow through the two, squeezing at the same time, which is what many people do. Apart from being almost ineffective, the raised internal pressure can be irritating if you already have a headache.

# Herbal remedies are much safer than chemical ones. Here are two which have been life-savers with our family:

The contents of one capsule on a cloth by the bed will give you the best nights sleep you've had in ages (especially if it's one of the children with the cough!)

Not completely herbal, as such, but still good for stuffed noses and coughs

# A cough, in itself, is not a bad thing. In fact, quite the contrary. It is the body's way of clearing your lungs of unwanted mucous and germs. Having said that, it is much better for your muscles and your throat to "huff" instead of coughing. A dry cough is a complication which can be helped by drinking warm drinks and treating yourself to some steam inhalations, with maybe a little eucalyptus oil in the water.

# Make sure the air in your house is not too dry. A room burner with some drops of essential oil in it is ideal. (Keep out of reach of small children) We use a mixture of eucalyptus, rosemary and pine.

DISCLAIMER
I am NOT a doctor. I am a certified children's nanny (N.N.E.B.) and the above information is the result of more than 30 years of experience working with children and bringing up 5 of my own. If you are in any doubt whatsoever concerning your health or that of your family, see a doctor immediately.