I would’ve titled this post as ‘the flu game’, but thought better of it. In this instalment, I will offer some handy tips for people under the weather. Over the past week I have been battling a cold. While it might not be flu season yet, the sudden changes in temperature have ensured many people coughing and sneezing like there’s no tomorrow. To make matters better, they conveniently forget to cover their mouths. Climate change is upon us, with more extreme weather meaning more sickies. Given I’ve been sidelined for the whole week, allow me to introduce some home remedies, my personal War on Colds.

1. Survey the landscape. My cold started out as a bothersome sore throat. I thought it would subside in a few days, so I tried some Strepsils. However, the sting was there till Monday, and by then I was feeling sluggish. I did some web based research and self diagnosed my ailment as a cold, considering the symptoms found online. As per the net, colds start out as sore throats, which are gone after a couple of days. There is generally no fever in adults, as opposed to children. The cough is out more or less after the fifth day. Stuffy noses are also a classic sign of the illness.
2. Take some over the counter meds. I tried strepsils, but it didn’t work, so I tried something else. I noticed I was having a dry cough and my throat was rather scratchy. I tried these dry cough lozenges, which gave me temporary relief.
3. Soothe your throats with hot lemonade. This helped me heaps. Squeeze some lemons, pour some warm water then add honey. I already do this on breakfasts, even when I’m not contending with a cold. If you’re serious about getting well, then try drinking that steaming mug of lemonade even more often.
4. Use a neti pot. This is an ancient Indian invention that does wonders to your sinuses. I bought mine for thirty bucks at this health store years ago. Initially, I did this to relieve my nasal passages since I haven’t sneezed in ages. My left eye was watering all the time, but believe me when I say it went a long way in aiding me. The neti pot gave my eye much needed relief. On this occasion, it helped relieve the stuffy nose. Add half a teaspoon of sea salt to about a cup of FILTERED water to make the saltine solution, which you use on your nostrils. I cannot stress the FILTERED aspect enough, as reported cases had tap water causing brain complications.
5. Attempt to minimise transmission by covering your mouth when sneezing or coughing. Even though no one does this on the train, don’t let them be your role models. 
6. Try some hot soup, like pho, beef or chicken soup. Most of us would be familiar with this, but don’t try it when the weather’s downright boiling, or you’ll risk getting a hot head.
7. Rest, rest, rest. Forget all your worries and best stay at home. The last thing you’d want is a relapse and more down time. Get better sleep, don’t answer calls, and use sign language. I mean, try as little speech as possible. Your voice, like your body, needs some good old r & r.

Now that you’re well versed on the do’s and don’t’s of cold management, sit back, relax and enjoy. Take advantage of your sick or annual leave; you deserve it.