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Seasonal and Swine Flu
Up-to-date information & tips.
The Flu
The flu vaccine remains an important therapeutic tool to help keep us well. The good news is that even though your flu vaccine won't completely protectyou from getting the flu, it still can lessen the severity and duration of illness should you get the flu. In the meantime, tried and true methods of prevention are still the mainstay of staying well this flu season: wash your hands frequently, get plenty of sleep, do what you can to healthily manage the stress of daily living, and stay well-hydrated. If you do come down with the flu there are prescription aids that might help, as well as an herbal remedy (extract of black elderberry) or a homeopathic one (oscillococcinum). Both are available at most health food stores and some food markets.
Swine Flu (H1N1) Check List
Swine flu is an infection caused by a virus. The virus is contagious and can spread from human to human. Symptoms of the swine flu are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.
Here are some suggestions about being proactive with the Swine Flu this year:
1. If you have been identified as a high risk by the CDC, for example pregnant women, young children and young adults to age 24, and those with chronic medical problems, you should already be in touch with your doctor and health professionals about the vaccine being distributed.
2. Be proactive by taking common steps to prevent catching the flu virus.
Here are some suggestions:
•Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
•Washing your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.
•Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
•Avoid shaking hands, and being in crowded restaurants, gyms, and movies, particularly at peak hours.
•Consider driving instead of flying to business meetings. Better yet, try teleconferencing instead. It saves time, money, and the risk of getting sick away from home. If you do fly, don’t use the pillows or blankets provided by the airlines. When planning trips, check the CDC.com website regularly because it will show where flu outbreaks are heavy.
3. Make sure you have an ample supply of the small Purex or similar brand hand sanitizers to carry in your pockets and cars. This will give you the opportunity to swipe the gym equipment handles, grocery carts, phones, and computers away from home.
4. Staying at hotels or motels can be a challenge. Don’t use the bed spreads. Carry a small can of Lysol and clean the phone, TV remote, and doorknobs.
5. Most importantly, if you feel sick, go home immediately. The first 48 hours are crucial in receiving some of the anti-viral medicines such as Tamiflu. You should also check out some herbal virals such as Sambucus and Astragalus.
6. Finally, you might want to avoid taking the kids and grandkids to enclosed play areas at fast food restaurants or themed venues geared towards kids.
7. Also check this site, http://www.advance-health.com/nacetylcysteine.html. A daily dose of N-acetyl cysteine (an amino acid) has been proven effective in some recent studies. However, it is crucial that you check with your doctor or health professional before using this or these herbal and/or amino approaches.