Be Prepared for Cold and Flu
This blog applies to the readers who have no choice but to survive a long cold winter!
The season of the dreaded "crud" is not approaching - It Is Here! Take action now! There are many interventions you can do yourself to help ward off the the onset of cold and flu. You are probably thinking Yea Yea, if I get I get, take some over the counter remedy and "Cowboy Up" for a week. Here is what you need to consider before the fortunate healthy among us decide to tough out the occasional "bug". To someone with a healthy immune system, you can fight off a bad head cold, and even a good case of the "flu". Keep in mind we aren't talking about the stomach bug "ate come bad convenience store sushi, and spending an intimate following day on the thrown". Influenza is a serious respiratory illness, not to be taken lightly, even by healthy individuals. However, when you are sick, you can spread the virus around you through the air by coughing, by touching your face, by blowing your nose, and not washing your hands, then touching objects. Others pick up those germs, and away goes the flu epidemic season. Where things go very wrong is someone with a poor immune system, unequipped to wage battle with the invaders, comes into contact with the germs you just left behind. This might be the elderly, an infant or small child, or someone with a poor immune system due to chronic illness. The flu can also be a very insidious creature. There are reports of healthy people who get the ordinary flu that finds its way into vital areas of the body, like the blood or nervous system, and succumb - very scary! There are also creepy little mutant flu bugs that find their way into the flu season, and cause much more serious disease, a recent example was H1N1.
So what can you do to play your part in waging war against the cold and flu season?
#1 Get Your Flu Shot: I am not going to get into the plethora of information out on the internet "because if it's on the internet it's true", but there is more data to the value of the Influenza vaccine. Speak to you physician or pharmacist about your situation. There is also the concept of "Herd Immunity" Vaccines - Herd Immunity
#2 Good Hygiene: Washing hands frequently with warm water and soap. Clean all surfaces that are used frequently, such as computers, phones, remotes, door knobs/handles. There is a whole school of thought out there on the use of hand sanitizers, FDA rulings in the US, and the use of soap and water. About Hand Cleansing
#3 Rest: This is not the time of year to "burn the candle at both ends"! Get plenty of sleep, not letting yourself get run down is important when it comes to Immune system versus Cold and Flu. Fueling up with foods that provide lots of vitamins and minerals, or consult with your personal physician about supplements. These fuel your immune system for the battle they face. There are some herbal supplements that also claim to strengthen the immune system. In the US, these are not FDA approved for this purpose, but you can get information from your pharmacist on the best choices.
#4 Cover Your Cough: Coughing or sneezing, don't open your mouth and let it fly!! Yew! Cough into the bend of your elbow, or into a tissue. Then wash your hands.
#5 Take Your Child to Work, BUT Not Your Germs: Everyone admires that employee that drags themselves in, looking like they were just peeled off the rack, patched together, and propped up at work with the coat rack. Yes, make him employee of the month! WRONG! Keep the germs at home, especially in the early few days of illness. You are actively shedding the creepy crawlies to all of your coworkers. Now, instead of one sick employee, there are quickly 10! I abhor employers who frown on the obviously sick person, who is on their knees and dripping green goo from the nose, finally says "well, don't make this a habit".
You followed all of those recommendations, and you were still struck down by the Nasty Crud. It could be a cold or the flu, early symptoms can often look the same. There are a few over the counter "OTC" products that you can purchase from your pharmacy. It is always best to speak directly to the Pharmacist for the best recommendation, or call your physician. OTC medication manufacturers have many multi-symptom products, and labels can be very confusing.
Here are a few broad categories to think about, however, your doctor or Pharmacist can tell you what is personally best for you.
Neti Pots: These have become very popular in recent years. It's a great way of providing direct hydration to dehydrated membranes, clears out mucus in the nasal passage and helps rinse away germs.
Acetaminophen: pain and fever. Use under direction of your physician, if you are treating a child. Follow all directions closely, and be careful that you read the label ingredients of any other OTC medications you take, to make sure you do not exceed the recommended daily dose.
Guaifenesin: This OTC cold medications are very common in a number of products. It helps to loosen and thin secretions. Over the counter products can be confusing, consult with the Pharmacist to ensure you have the product that is right for you.
Topic Vapor Rubs: These are typically menthol, or something similar, in a petroleum topical, that can be applied according the the manufacturers recommendation on the package. The idea is that the vapor provides a cooling sensation, and helps with sleep.
Oral Lozenges and Cough Drops: These typically provide a soothing topical effect for the relief of irritation.
Anyone who has walked down the Cough and Cold isle at a Pharmacy or big retailer understands that there are enough options to confuse anyone, let alone someone who is feverish! To add yet another level of confusion, some cold products can only be purchased directly from a Pharmacist. For more information on this category of medications - FDA Pseudoephedrine Regulation
You can check out these links for more information on cough and cold products.
FDA C&C Not for Children Under 2
I'd say "I only play a Pharmacist on TV", but I actually am one in three states. However, I do not know you! I am a huge advocate of the value a Pharmacist brings to the Healthcare Team.
Recent Comments
17
Yehaaw, thanks, Michelle.
I have had my Flu shot and I do endevaour take all the precautionary measures, but it amazes me how it still spreads like a out of control bush fire!
I thank you for a great informative post indeed.
Cheers, Tosh :)
Influenza and vaccination is a game of cat and mouse every year, and throw in those who don't vaccinate and get the covered strains and it can reach pandemics easily. A high school friend of my husband's had her teenage daughter as the first child fatality from flu in Minnesota - sad!
Thanks for the the note Tosh!
Oh, I'll cheer with you. I'm just not too much into football this year. Except, to see if NDSU Bison goes for a 6 in a row Div. championship - woot-woot
Thanks for the article :)
Some great tips.
I think a major part of staying healthy at this time of year (in fact anytime of year) is diet. If you eat lots of fruit and vegetables, freshly squeezed juices, smoothies etc, keep active and drink lots of water you are well on the way to keeping bugs at bay.
I used to get the flu shot every year and every year I would come down with the flu a week or so later and it would really floor me. I haven't had a flu shot for 6 years and never had the flu. I'm not anti flu shot especially for the elderly who have low immune systems but if you eat right and exercise you don't need it. I certainly proved that to myself.
Things like ginger, turmeric, kale, ruby red grapefruits are great to eat and to juice during the winter season and actually have healing properties.
I cut out red meat and as much dairy as I can as I believe they are not doing great things for my body.
Everyone is different and this is just my experience. But once I changed my diet I changed my biology. If we do the same things we get the same results.
Keep warm and good luck with your flu season :) Kev
Hey that's great you are very lucky. However, get the flu shot with confidence that you will not get the flu. Many are recombinant proteins and do not even contain the virus. They just get your immune system to kick in. However, that doesn't mean you won't get a strain of flu that they didn't predict and cover with the vaccine. It also maybe that you have a great immune system, good diet, wash hands and don't work in a day care!! The nasal flu mist is a little different, but those are address with some special considerations for certain folks. Keep in mind if it weren't for vaccination and herd immunity, we would have small pox and polo.
I am so happy you took the time to write such as great response. Thanks.
It is still going around here, and it nearly summer. My daughter has had it for a couple of weeks, due to her toddler getting it from day care, and she is 33 weeks pregnant. It has been a bad flu season this year in Australia. One of our local schools even closed down for a few days as there were so many students with it. I hope you stay healthy over there.
Gail
Hi Gail, thanks for the feedback. Wow that is terrible! Nothing worse than flu. I remember well the first year we got H1N1 and my son got hit hard, ouch!
Well, take care of yourselves and thanks again.
Great share, wish they would listen, because of a major illness I can not have the shots and have no immune system left, so I am so careful what I do and where I go.
Yes, Mike, exactly. You are the person I mention as to why everyone needs the flu shot. The myth that they don't want it because it causes flu is very much incorrect and coincidence. One year I did get a low grade fever for about 8 hours after the shot. It is nothing compared to the flu. And you can still get the flu even with the shot, but chances are much less. Thanks for chiming in. Take care this winter!
See more comments
I think you failed to mention one of the best ways to help prevent Colds, Flu, and other infections.... Nutrition.
In particular, your Immune System which takes care of everything from a Cold to Cancer. 80% of your Immune System is in the lining of your Intestinal Track. Your Immune System is you First Line of Defense and it is very powerful against; Bacteria, Viruses, Pathogens… even CANCER.
The best way I know to protect your Intestinal Track is to eliminate, high-carb foods, especially those low in nutrients
manufactured trans fats in the form of hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils, refined flour, and sugar in all its forms (including unrefined sugar, molasses, cane syrup and maple syrup).
Sugar slows down your white blood cells, making infection more likely. This makes you more susceptible to Colds and Flu and other illness and even allowing CANCER cells a better chance to form in your body.
Food is the Cure.
Phil
Oh my goodness yes, that would have actually been covered under "burning candle at both ends" but I only covered vitamin aspect for reader burnout sake. You are correct adequate nutrition/vitamins they provide is certainly the key to feeding a healthy immune system. Thank you so much for the great input. Very much appreciate. HT
Michelle, I'm all for supplements, but I don't think any amount of supplementation can make up for a bad diet.
One of the guys at work thinks he's started to eat healthy because he ate one salad for lunch. The problem is that he washed it down with a can of Coke. Later in the day, he had a large coffee with 5 tsp. of Sugar.
I'd be willing to bet you Dollars to Doughnuts that he'll be coming down with a cold or the flu this Winter.
Thank you!!