With the onset of monsoon, doctors are witnessing spurt in the cases of viral fever. Patients with symptoms of body ache, respiratory and throat infections and fever are making a beeline for public and private hospitals and dispensaries. Fever is often a sign that your body is trying to fight some type of bacterial or viral infection. While the symptoms can be worse, here are some measures you can take to prevent the disease.

1 Drink Enough Liquids

Keep yourself properly hydrated by drinking enough liquids. Drink at least eight glasses of water in a day and consume enough fruits and vegetables with a high water content like watermelon, sweet lime, cucumber and carrot to get the required antioxidants. And as much as hydration is important, it is also critical that the water you drink is pure and clean.

2 Wear a Mask

If you are a working professional, it is impractical as well as difficult to avoid sick people. The best idea is to just wear a mask when you go to work. This is especially critical if you have a weak immune system. Also, wash and sanitise your hands regularly and pay attention to your other defenses against germs. Beat viral fever with coriander (dhania), turmeric, tulsi and ginger tea this monsoon.

3 Stop Sharing and Borrowing Items

It might be difficult not to share your lunch box or your lip balm with your best colleague but avoid getting into the sharing and borrowing business. Coming in contact with an infected person’s saliva is a sure way to catch the virus. Apart from spoon and fork, also avoid using items like face towels and cellphones.

4 Avoid Touching Your Face with Hands

Washing your hands is important but as much as you can, keep your hands away from your eyes and nose. You will not be able to stay away from every handshake, doorknob or elevator button. So get into the habit of keeping your hands away from your face as they are the most common routes for entry of the virus. Looking for healthy lifestyle? 6 unhealthy habits to change for a healthy future!

5 Wash Your Hands Often

Maintaining proper hygiene can prevent viral infections during monsoons. So ensure that you wash your hands before and after your meals and after you sneeze, cough and use the bathroom. Also, do not touch your cuts and wounds to avoid spreading bacteria.

6 Eat Home-cooked Food

Your diet plays a huge role in deciding how prone you are to catch a virus. Eat antioxidant-rich, immunity-boosting foods, even better if they are home-cooked. Completely avoid eating foods from outside as it is likely to have stayed in an unhygienic environment. Also, avoid eating cut fruits and vegetables.

Prevention is better than cure. So keep yourself warm and feed yourself with immune-boosting hot soups and vegetables. Also, try to get as much rest as possible.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 22, 2019 02:46 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).