Flu prevention

luiyuming — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 00:31:35 -0600

I take garlic pills every morning with my breakfast, plus yogurt and1-2 servings of fresh fruit.

~~there's wanderlust in my soul, pep in my step, and lotsa love for the big plan called Life~~

Flu Vaccine

Every Day Mom — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 21:42:58 -0500

Thanks for the enlightment on the Mercury thing, I had no idea. I have never had a flu shot yet bt have heard plenty of people say they got sick afterwards. I have my little one booked in though, I may have to read more before I decide.

Flu Vaccine

Every Day Mom — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 21:42:54 -0500

Surviving Cold and Flu Season. What About The Flu Vaccine?

Catherine Morgan — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 02:32:21 -0500

Surviving Cold and Flu Season. What About The Flu Vaccine?

On a night that I am quite sure I am coming down with a terrible cold, I thought taking a look at getting through cold and flu season, would be an appropriate post. How are you holding up? Have you had your first cold of the season? Do you have any tips for staying healthy during this time of the year? What about tips for getting better?

Well, my head is pounding, my ears are hurting, my nose is stuffy, and my throat is getting sore. I'll admit, I'm going to go from one extreme to the other tonight. I started with some Campbell's chicken soup...But, as soon as I finish this post, I'll be loading up on NiQuil (and hoping to at least get a good night sleep).

Before I do that, let's take a look at what others are saying about cold and flu season.

From the Nutrition Diva...

You don’t come down with a cold every time you are exposed to cold germs…because you’re exposed to cold germs every day. No, you catch a cold when your immune system is asleep on the job and doesn’t promptly escort cold germs from the premises. Your best offense really is a good defense.

Here are some steps to take to fortify your immune system and bolster your defenses against the coming viral onslaught.

From Robin at We Are What We Eat...

Several years ago Dr. Stephen Rennard of the University of the Nebraska Medical Center did some laboratory research and found that chicken soup essentially acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. It also acts to suppress the creation of excess white blood cells (white blood cells may help you fight disease but they also cause a great deal of congestion when you have a cold). Other research on chicken soup discovered the presence of an amino acid that helps to clear congestion from the lungs. So much good in something so simple!

I don’t know about you, but I’d rather have a nice, hot bowl of soup than take some of the cold medication that is on the market. Have you read the ‘possible’ side-effects for some of that stuff? The cure is worse than the disease!

Where are the Germ Hotbeds?

Someone in your house have the sniffles? Watch out for the refrigerator door handle. The TV remote, too. A new study finds that cold sufferers often leave their germs there, where they can live for two days or longer. Scientists at the University of Virginia, long known for its virology research, tested surfaces in the homes of people with colds and reported the results Tuesday at the nation's premier conference on infectious diseases.

Doctors don't know how often people catch colds from touching germy surfaces as opposed to, say, shaking a sick person's hand, said Dr. Birgit Winther, an ear, nose and throat specialist who helped conduct the study.

Two years ago, she and other doctors showed that germs survived in hotel rooms a day after guests left, waiting to be picked up by the next person checking in.

The Cold and Flu Days of Winter...

So in no particular order here is the "to do" list I've come up with:

Eat Well - balanced meals that are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Wash Your Hands - this can not be done enough.

Get Plenty of Sleep - finda routine that works for you and your body and stick to it!

Take a Multi-Vitamin - I'm guilty of not doing this regularly, how about you?

Get a Flu Shot - I've seen this work for some and have miserable outcomes for others. Do your research and do what's best for you.

Avoid Sharing Objects - cups, food, utensils, pens, pencils, etc.

Avoid Touching Your Nose, Mouth, and Eyes

Reduce Stress

Avoid crowds and keep your distance from people whom you know are ill.

Exercise Regularly

Eat Your Vitamin C...

Just about everyone thinks first of oranges for a boost in vitamin C - and oranges are good, as are all citrus fruits. But a couple of other food choices are even better.

For instance, just one cup of green pepper will give you 3 times the amount of vitamin C needed for an adult - and an adult actually needs more vitamin C than do children. Other smart choices are broccoli and strawberries - and all dark green leafy vegetables.

The trend toward processed foods and limited fresh fruits and vegetables poses a real threat to families across the U.S. - so make the switch to wholesome foods and help your family stay healthy this winter.

From 50's Housewife...

Over the years, I've learned a few things about dealing with those little bugs that go around.

1) Stock up the medicine cabinet. I'm so glad I already had cold and flu medicine, cough drops, tissues, and Vicks Vapo-Rub on hand.

2) Keep hand sanitizer and disinfectant handy. This will at least slow the spread of germs between family members. Remember to disinfect doorknobs, light switches, telephones, and computer keyboards. Those areas can be super germy.

3) Keep some easy meals on hand that hubby or the kids can make without help in case Mom gets sick. It won't hurt them to eat something warmed up in the microwave every now and then. I keep canned soup and frozen chicken nuggets for "emergencies" like this. The last thing I want to worry about when I'm sick is cooking dinner.

I know, I know. What about the flu shot?

Well, that's a decision for each of us to make on our own. Personally, I'm not sold on it, and the two times I've gotten it, I became sick as a dog within days. I know, that is "supposedly" just a coincidence, however, it's just a coincidence I will choose to avoid from now on. Whether you are for or against the flu shot, I think you'll find this little video, quite funny. And, we all know, laughing is a great remedy for the immune system. So, check out this video that I found over at Eat Healthy, Be Happy...

On a more serious note...

Are You Giving Your Child The Flu Vaccine?

I'm really writing today as a plea to hear from other parents on how they feel about the flu vaccine. I hoping some of you can give me some clarity of this topic and maybe even talk a little good sense into me. Am I overthinking this issue? -- I'd love to hear from some of you. Thanks!

Flu Shots - Helpful or Dangerous?

The number one thing I think that people need to know is that 80% of the flu shots contain mercury and not just trace amounts like many other vaccines, although trace amounts are still no good in my opinion. Here are a few alarming facts regarding mercury in flu shots from the Organic Consumers Association.

FACT: A typical flu shot contains 50,000 parts per billion of mercury.
FACT: The EPA classifies a liquid with 200 parts per billion of mercury as hazardous waste.
FACT: The legal “safe” limit for mercury in drinking water is 2 parts per billion
FACT: For each flu-shot, a 22-pound baby gets more than 25 times the amount of mercury considered safe. And doctors are recommending that many babies and children get two flu shots this season.
FACT: A material safety data sheet from Eli Lilly and Co., a former producer of flu vaccines, says exposure to thimerosal may include “fetal changes, decreased offspring survival and lung tissue changes. Exposure in utero and in children may cause mild to severe mental retardation and mild to severe motor coordination impairment.”

Mercury is among the most toxic heavy metals and is known to poison the central nervous system, liver, gastrointestinal tract and other systems in the body. Does that sound like something you want in your body your children’s body? The answer for me is a resounding NO.

Also See:

iVillage - Top Tips for Surviving Cold and Flu Season

Kitchen Table Medicine

How Many Germs Are Lurking In Your Child's Classroom?

What do you do to survive cold and flu season? Let me know in comments.

Contributing Editor Catherine Morgan
at Catherine-Morgan.com, The Political Voices of Women, Capessa Health & Fitness

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Surviving Cold and Flu Season. What About The Flu Vaccine?