Flu Season Strategies

[sherryinutah]

How do you make sure you're healthy during flu season?

Do you chase down a flu shot?

The idea behind getting a flu shot is to build antibodies and strengthen immune system but I'm not promoting the idea that people should get a flu shot.  There are other ways to build antibodies by getting certain nutrients like; vitamin C, E, Zinc, Carotenoids and EFAs.

Sometimes I get a flu shot but I realize I need to do more than that.  I'm an herbalist so I make sure I have fresh garlic around.  I also have herbs like yarrow and cayenne because they're considered anti-viral.

One product I have in my refrigerator at all times is called Swedish Bitters.  Sometimes - if I end up with a sore and scratchy throat I buy a really hot salsa so I can burn the virus out.

I've also found that if I make sure I'm getting enough vitamin A I can prevent infection. 

What do you do?

[gaylasue]

The only time I ever took a flu shot I got the flu really bad that year.  I just try to avoid being around a lot of people during the flu season. 

[countrygirl12]

How do you make sure you're healthy during flu season?

Do you chase down a flu shot?

Sometimes I get a flu shot but I realize I need to do more than that.  I'm an herbalist so I make sure I have fresh garlic around.  I also have herbs like yarrow and cayenne because they're considered anti-viral.

One product I have in my refrigerator at all times is called Swedish Bitters.  Sometimes - if I end up with a sore and scratchy throat I buy a really hot salsa so I can burn the virus out.

I've also found that if I make sure I'm getting enough vitamin A I can prevent infection. 

What do you do?

Chase down a flu shot?  You don't have to chase it.  The offer them every where for free.  Just go it it.

Never heard of Vitamin A fighting infection.  If you work it is hard to stay away from people.  And people tend to go in to work sick so if you go to a fast food place or Walmart you are being exposed.  Even church. Everybody shaking hands.

No, I do not take the flu shot.  Never had the flu.  My job last fall they tried to force everyone to take the shot.  I refused.  People got mad at me.  I am like YOU took the shot YOU should be protected.  They ALL got the flu.  I did not.  One of the women died from it.  So no, keep your shot.

[linderlizzie]

Wash your hands frequently. Don't touch your nose, mouth or eyes unless your hands are clean, especially after being in public places and touching things that others have touched. Keep hydrated. Nasty germs and/or bacteria can't get a good hold in your mucous membranes if they are washed away.

Eat well, get enough rest and don't go near someone who is coughing and sneezing. People ought to stay at home when they're sick and not infect others, but they don't always do that. Take plenty of Vitamin C. It promotes a healthy immune system.

I get flu shots because my husband has heart disease and it might harm him if I were sick with the flu and passed it on to him. If you work with the public, it is wise to get a flu shot for extra protection.

No charge for all this information that most people already know. We just sometimes forget. Flu season is the time to be vigilant.

[bshee58]

I did my Flu shot last week, and this week my body feels really sore, don't know if that is coming from that or the fact i stayed in the hospital with my daughter after her surgery, sleeping on a twin size sleeper sofa, it was kinda hard, i guess that is what is making my body feel sore.

[ktheodos]

Just be as careful as possible....I wait until November to get my shot so that it lasts longer into winter (supposedly). Plus I have to wait a bit after just participating in a SmallPox vaccine study....

[JaniceSW]

The flu shot is designed to build antibodies, but there are diffferent strains of flu every yeard so the CDC essentially makes an educated guess on what strains will be current the upcoming season.  The reasoning behind these shots is not only to help prevent the person who receives it from getting sick, but for those with compromised or weak immune sysyems.  Getting the flu shot is also supposed to help prevent you getting as sick as you would if you hadn't received any shot at all.  I have received a flu shot for nearly 20 years now and not had the flu once.  Don't confuse a cold with the flu.  They are not the same!

[arobinson1331]

I myself can't get the flu shot due to being immunocompromised so I really on those around me getting their flu shot! I also wash my hands frequently and try to avoid sick people. NOTE::: The flu shot does not and can not give you the flu. Please do you research and protect those who can't properly protect themselves.

[mrsmere]

Years ago I got the flu shot twice and both times my arm was sore for a week.  I couldn't even comb my hair.  I wash my hands often, drink fluids, take vitamins and eat plenty of onions and garlic.  I keep tissue and hand sanitizer when I go out in public.

[makeblessed]

I have been getting the flu shot for many years, never got the flu and did not have a bad reaction other then a somewhat sore arm for a day; although I know people who have never got the flu shot nor did they get the flu; I think it is a personal decision for each person; I do what works for me ; also wash hands a lot and try to avoid hugging people during flu season; it is hard to avoid crowds because people are everywhere, so I just try and keep myself as healthy as possible.

[mrisha]

Staying away from people who has the Flu.  I know that is hard to do, but you can ramp up your vitamin C and other herbs that will keep your body healthy.

[countrygirl12]

Wash your hands frequently. Don't touch your nose, mouth or eyes unless your hands are clean, especially after being in public places and touching things that others have touched. Keep hydrated. Nasty germs and/or bacteria can't get a good hold in your mucous membranes if they are washed away.

Eat well, get enough rest and don't go near someone who is coughing and sneezing. People ought to stay at home when they're sick and not infect others, but they don't always do that. Take plenty of Vitamin C. It promotes a healthy immune system.

I get flu shots because my husband has heart disease and it might harm him if I were sick with the flu and passed it on to him. If you work with the public, it is wise to get a flu shot for extra protection.

No charge for all this information that most people already know. We just sometimes forget. Flu season is the time to be vigilant.

Staying at home if you are "sick" is a good concept but not always possible.  Especially if you work retail.  If you work at say Walmart and are part time or seasonal you do not get a bunch of sick days.  If you have a cold you can't just call in.  Most people who are working need the money.  And if they miss they are required to have a doctor excuse.  I can't pay $150 to see a doctor because I have a cold that they cannot do anything about.  The last time I worked in retail and was working during the winter months I was sick the whole time I worked there.  All the employees were sick.  Between sick customers and passing it back and forth between each other it was hard to get rid of.  In the winter months I try to avoid public places and if I go to a shopping center I go early before it gets crowded.

As for the flu shot most people who get that shot get the flu. 

I do think if you work in fast food and are sick you should be required to stay home.  And the health department would agree.  But again management wants the employee there.  And could care less if the person is sick and coughing all over people's food. 

[countrygirl12]

Just be as careful as possible....I wait until November to get my shot so that it lasts longer into winter (supposedly). Plus I have to wait a bit after just participating in a SmallPox vaccine study....

They have a smallpox vaccine again?  I just argued with somebody who claims to be in the medical field (yeah sure LOL) and she yelled at me and said Smallpox could never EVER come back and there would NEVER EVER AGAIN be a vaccine for Smallpox.  So I find that interesting.

I also find it interesting that you would volunteer to take a Smallpox Vaccine as part of a study.  No money would be worth that to me.  Or why they would even have a study or the vaccine if there is no way it could ever come back.  Of course my argument was yes it COULD come back.  We are seeing disease here in the US today that we had not seen since the 1800s.

[braggin]

I have an appt. to get a flu shot in a couple weeks. Other than that, I just take daily vitamins and supplements, try to exercise regularly and eat well.

[linderlizzie]

Hey, countrygirl12. With all due respect, I said people ought to stay at home but they don't always do that. I have been guilty of going to work sick but I took extra precautions against spreading it along. Staying home is ideal, but I know that people cannot always do that. It is just the ideal. You said yourself that all you employees plus the customers passed it back and forth, which kind of proves my point.

And your statement that most people who get the flu shot is patently untrue. It is a very common myth. The vaccine does not cause the illness. The virus in the vaccine is not active and an inactive virus cannot transmit disease. The people who sometimes feel sick after the vaccination may be feeling their immune response working. Also, if they have actually contracted the flu, it may be that they had it prior to the vaccination or they are experiencing flu from another strain of flu since they vaccinate with the current strain that is going around at the time. They also could be confusing a bad cold for the flu since sometimes the symptoms are similar.

Getting the vaccination and avoiding the flu can avoid any subsequent flu-related complications due to your body working hard to fight the flu and becoming weakened, such as pneumonia which can be deadly. And people with other compromised immune systems (older people, people on chemotherapy, young children) might experience those complications as well.

I personally get the vaccine because I live with someone with heart disease and I don't want to compromise his health if I should contract the flu. Otherwise, I might not get it.

I firmly believe that vaccinations are one of the reasons why we do not experience the horrible epidemics and pandemics that used be to be around. I don't think we should discourage people from getting them. Just my take on it. Don't mean to offend anyone.