WHAT IS THE FLU?
Influenza (flu) is a viral infection. People often use the term "flu" to describe any kind of mild illness, such as a cold or a stomach virus, that has symptoms like the flu. But the real flu is different. Flu symptoms are usually worse than a cold and last longer. The flu usually does not cause vomiting or diarrhea. Most flu outbreaks happen in late fall and winter.
The flu is caused by influenza viruses A and B. There are different strains, or types, of the flu virus every year. The flu causes a fever, body aches, a headache, a dry cough, and a sore or dry throat. You will probably feel tired and less hungry than usual. The symptoms usually are the worst for the first 3 or 4 days. But it can take 1 to 2 weeks to get completely better. It usually takes 1 to 4 days to get symptoms of the flu after you have been around someone who has the virus.
Most people get better without problems. But sometimes the flu can lead to a bacterial infection, such as an ear infection, a sinus infection, or bronchitis. In rare cases, the flu may cause a more serious problem, such as pneumonia. Certain people are at higher risk of problems from the flu. They include young children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with long-term illnesses or with impaired immune systems that make it hard to fight infection.
The flu is caused by influenza viruses A and B. There are different strains, or types, of the flu virus every year. The flu causes a fever, body aches, a headache, a dry cough, and a sore or dry throat. You will probably feel tired and less hungry than usual. The symptoms usually are the worst for the first 3 or 4 days. But it can take 1 to 2 weeks to get completely better. It usually takes 1 to 4 days to get symptoms of the flu after you have been around someone who has the virus.
Most people get better without problems. But sometimes the flu can lead to a bacterial infection, such as an ear infection, a sinus infection, or bronchitis. In rare cases, the flu may cause a more serious problem, such as pneumonia. Certain people are at higher risk of problems from the flu. They include young children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with long-term illnesses or with impaired immune systems that make it hard to fight infection.
DETERMINING IF YOU HAVE THE FLU
Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and examine you. This usually gives the doctor enough information to find out if you have the flu, especially if many cases of a similar illness have occurred in the area and the local health department reports a flu outbreak. In some cases, the doctor may do a blood test or take a sample of fluid from your nose or throat to find out what type of flu virus you have.
Most people can treat flu symptoms at home. Home treatment includes resting, drinking plenty of fluids, and taking medicine to lower your fever. If you think you have the flu, your doctor may be able to give you medicine that can make the symptoms milder. But you need to start taking it within 2 days of your first symptoms.
Most people can treat flu symptoms at home. Home treatment includes resting, drinking plenty of fluids, and taking medicine to lower your fever. If you think you have the flu, your doctor may be able to give you medicine that can make the symptoms milder. But you need to start taking it within 2 days of your first symptoms.
PREVENTING THE FLU FROM REACHING YOU
1. The single most important step you can take for flu prevention or to protect yourself from infections of any kind is to increase the amount of vitamin D in your body.Our society is severely depleted in adequate levels of vitamin D largely because we spend too much time indoors and don’t get enough sunshine. It is believed the reason that influenza becomes such a problem in the winter months is because we have less sunshine and thus less vitamin D in the body.
You can increase your vitamin D levels by getting more sunshine without using a sunscreen - 15 minutes of sun exposure daily is considered adequate, taking a nutritional supplement or eating salmon, herring or cod liver oil. Besides being beneficial for flu prevention, vitamin D plays a crucial role in bone health and development, enhancing the immune system and preventing autoimmune diseases as well. Vitamin D should be taken now to build up immune health before the flu strikes.
Most health experts are recommending between 2100 and 5000 IU’s for flu prevention goals. However, you should talk with your health care provider about which dosage is best for you.
2. Going hand in hand with increasing vitamin D, washing the hands properly and frequently is equally important.The hands should be washed in warm water for at least 20 seconds. You should rub the hands together vigorously underneath the flowing water.Many people are not aware that the length of time the hands is in the water and the amount of friction when rubbing them together is much more important than the amount of soap for removing germs.
If you’re in a public restroom, don’t use the automatic hand dryers. They have been found to spread germs.
Do not use antibacterial soap. First of all, the flu is a virus, antibacterial soap kills bacteria, not viruses. It’s ineffective. Not only that, it’s dangerous and unhealthy. It will weaken your immune system and endocrine system, which could ultimately make you more vulnerable to the flu. It contains Triclosan, which is a toxic pesticide, a neuro-toxin that is linked to immune system and endocrine system damage. It is also believed that using antibacterial soap contributes to making resistant strains of bacteria.
3. Keep your hands out of your eyes, nose and mouth. Avoid your face altogether as much as possible.
4. Don’t eat sugar - sugar weakens the immune system and leaves you vulnerable to viruses, bacteria etc. Additionally, viruses and bacteria thrive on sugar.
5. Boost the immune system with exercise and getting enough sleep. Eating lots of vegetables, taking high doses of vitamin C and herbs. These include common foods like garlic, citrus fruits, seafood and meats, and yogurt. Dietitians also suggest switching to vitamin D-fortified milk
6. Manage stress with exercise, meditation, deep breathing exercises etc. Excessive levels of stress weaken the immune system.
7. If you want to be extra cautious, you could take it a little further and consider not eating out while the outbreak is severe, limiting your time in public and not shaking hands with other people or washing your hands immediately after.
You can increase your vitamin D levels by getting more sunshine without using a sunscreen - 15 minutes of sun exposure daily is considered adequate, taking a nutritional supplement or eating salmon, herring or cod liver oil. Besides being beneficial for flu prevention, vitamin D plays a crucial role in bone health and development, enhancing the immune system and preventing autoimmune diseases as well. Vitamin D should be taken now to build up immune health before the flu strikes.
Most health experts are recommending between 2100 and 5000 IU’s for flu prevention goals. However, you should talk with your health care provider about which dosage is best for you.
2. Going hand in hand with increasing vitamin D, washing the hands properly and frequently is equally important.The hands should be washed in warm water for at least 20 seconds. You should rub the hands together vigorously underneath the flowing water.Many people are not aware that the length of time the hands is in the water and the amount of friction when rubbing them together is much more important than the amount of soap for removing germs.
If you’re in a public restroom, don’t use the automatic hand dryers. They have been found to spread germs.
Do not use antibacterial soap. First of all, the flu is a virus, antibacterial soap kills bacteria, not viruses. It’s ineffective. Not only that, it’s dangerous and unhealthy. It will weaken your immune system and endocrine system, which could ultimately make you more vulnerable to the flu. It contains Triclosan, which is a toxic pesticide, a neuro-toxin that is linked to immune system and endocrine system damage. It is also believed that using antibacterial soap contributes to making resistant strains of bacteria.
3. Keep your hands out of your eyes, nose and mouth. Avoid your face altogether as much as possible.
4. Don’t eat sugar - sugar weakens the immune system and leaves you vulnerable to viruses, bacteria etc. Additionally, viruses and bacteria thrive on sugar.
5. Boost the immune system with exercise and getting enough sleep. Eating lots of vegetables, taking high doses of vitamin C and herbs. These include common foods like garlic, citrus fruits, seafood and meats, and yogurt. Dietitians also suggest switching to vitamin D-fortified milk
6. Manage stress with exercise, meditation, deep breathing exercises etc. Excessive levels of stress weaken the immune system.
7. If you want to be extra cautious, you could take it a little further and consider not eating out while the outbreak is severe, limiting your time in public and not shaking hands with other people or washing your hands immediately after.
