Influenza prevention and treatment options to vaccines and anti-virals part 4

The right way to cough to avoid flu  AP photo Matt Rourke

Managing flu prevention and treatment yourself is not only possible but it may help you stay well all year round. Here are some ways to prevent influenza and other contagious illnesses and if you do get sick, great ways to treat yourself.

PREVENTION

Key to prevention is sanitation and hand washing. Using soap and water for a full 10-15 seconds or alcohol based hand sanitizers throughout the day is key to lowering transmission of the virus. In addition keep your hands away from eyes, nose, mouth and ears. Cleaning surfaces around the house and workplace is the secondary line of defense and using a simple bleach dilution (1 tablespoon bleach to 1 quart water) is enough to sanitize hard surfaces such as counters, door knobs, drawer pulls, and walls in kitchens and bathrooms. Use full strength rubbing alcohol on a cloth when wiping down computer keyboards, telephones, and other frequently touched office surfaces. Keep hand and dish towels changed frequently; = kitchens are usually the dirtiest areas in our homes!

Another option in prevention is taking a homeopathic “vaccine”. Homeopathy is a 250 year old practice using very dilute substances. It is based on the theory that what causes symptoms in its full material dose cures those symptoms when diluted (see #1 under “More info”). It is works on the atomic level as opposed to the chemical or material levels as typical pharmaceutical drugs do. The remedy called “Influenzinum” is made from current year flu strains and diluted so that no virus exists in the pills but the molecular “memory” is retained and helps the body respond if the virus is present. The recommendation is to take one dose per month throughout flu season to avoid the flu (see #2 in more info).

Getting adequate amounts of vitamin D is now directly linked to resistance to the flu . There are 3000 studies either completed or in progress that have shown vitamin D’s direct role in preventing illness. Most in North America are deficient and even in sun-soaked San Diego and in winter, our levels fall by 33% (which is one theory why flus and colds hit at this time of year). Before you start taking vitamin D, get your levels tested. Researchers from UCSD recommend getting a baseline test and then getting tested yearly in March (when levels are lowest). There is also an interesting cholesterol connection since cholesterol has been a known precursor to vitamin D since 1926 . There is a current study going on to see if upping vitamin D levels to normal can lower cholesterol levels.

FLU TREATMENT

If you do get sick there are lots of options for treatment:

• Get lots of rest
• Stay hydrated
• If you have a stuffy nose, try a Neti pot or nasal irrigation before you jump to decongestants. Guaifenesin has been shown to help thin secretions.
• Use a cool humidifier when sleeping
• Use nasal strips to widen nasal passages
• If you have a hacking cough, try an elderberry cough syrup or use a product with dextromethorphan
• Homemade throat soothers include boiling the skin of a grapefruit in two cups of water for 5 minutes (don’t use if you take medication with which grapefruit interferes). Strain and add honey to taste. Another drink that soothes the throat is hot water with ½ lemon and honey. Don’t give honey to children under age 2.
• Great herbs for sore throats include slippery elm and horehound.
• Zinc cough drops help but be sure not to exceed the recommended dose of zinc..
• Homeopathic remedies such as bryonia or arsenicum album as well as oscilloccinum are helpful flu remedies based on the kinds of symptoms you have. In the 1918 flu pandemic, homeopathy (which was much more commonly used at the turn of the last century) was used with great success to treat flu symptoms.

Recovery for the soul:  Read an excellent article by Mary Ann Hebbert

WHEN TO SEEK HELP

See your doctor If you have any underlying medical issues that make you more susceptible to complications especially people with immune concerns, breathing problems, diabetes or heart disease. And anyone should contact their doctor or community clinic if they get well and then get ill again or if signs of a bacterial infection appear (productive cough with colored sputum or nasal drainage that changes from clear to colored after 7-10 days).

When to get medical aid right away:

• If you have trouble breathing or turn blue in your face, lips or finger nails
• If your fever is unrelieved by acetaminophen, ibuprofen or cooling measures
• Listless or unresponsive