Simple Steps to Avoid Catching the Flu
Things That Can and Should be Done to Stay Healthy During Flu Season
With the threat of a pandemic of the H1N1 (swine flu) virus, even the President of the U.S. is asking people to use common sense to avoid catching the flu.
What are the common sense steps you can take to keep from being a flu victim? It's easier than you may think, and largely involves hygiene and nutrition.
Wash Your Hands Frequently
Doctors have said for years that hand washing is the best way to stay healthy. Today, with antibacterial hand cleaners available, there is no need to be close to a sink to keep hands as clean as possible. Hand cleaners come in all sizes, even small enough to fit into a pocket.
Carrying a small bottle at all times, and keeping a bottle at work, where it's common for papers and other objects to be used by multiple persons, is a good protective measure.
Children should have a pocket sized bottle to carry with them wherever they go, since young children are in more danger for serious complications from flu.
Keep the Hands Away From the Face
The flu virus has to get into the body somehow to grow. The most effective way in is through the mucous membranes in the mouth and nose. Avoiding touching the eyes, mouth and nose can keep the virus out of the body, thus avoiding infection.
Take Vitamins
A healthy body can fight infection better, and eating well isn't enough. Take a multi-vitamin with minerals, and take extra vitamin C, zinc, and essential fatty acid (EFA) supplements. All of these can help fight off infections, and lessen their effects after they are contracted. Echinacea is effective once symptoms appear, but taking it beforehand has proven to be less effective.
Take or Eat Garlic
Garlic is such a strong antibiotic and antiviral that it was used in WWII by the Germans when they could not get medicines past enemy lines, thus earning the name "battlefield Penicillin". Garlic can be found as capsules or liquid, and of course, can be used in its natural form to season almost any food. Preliminary studies prove that eating garlic daily for three weeks enhances the immune system.
Drinking a soup made from chicken broth, loaded with garlic, onions and hot pepper, can dramatically shorten the life of a viral infection.
Spice Up Your Food
Hot peppers, such as cayenne, keep mucus flowing, and also help to burn out infections by raising body temperature. Using hot pepper during a cold of flu can lessen the duration of the virus, and relieve much of the congestion.
Drink Plenty of Fluids
Drinking six to eight cups of fluids a day flushes mucus down into your stomach, where digestive juices destroy the toxins. Keeping the bodily fluids moving quickly out of the body gives a virus less chance to find a cozy place to grow and spread. Acidic drinks, like citrus juices and tea with lemon, also help to keep viruses at bay.
A good cleansing drink that also soothes sore throats is made with 16 ozs. of warm water, 4 tablespoons of lemon juice, 2 tablespoons molasses, and 1/5 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
If these stepse do not avoid infection with a flu virus entirely, they may help to slow the progression or lessen the symptoms once a person is infected.
Note: If you have a high fever, or symptoms become severe, please consult with your physician.
Disclaimer:The information in this article is not intended to diagnose any physical or mental condition, or to prescribe or promote any particular product(s) or treatments. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice and treatment of a licensed professional. In the event that you use the information for your own health, you are prescribing for yourself, for which the author of this article assumes no responsibility. The author of this article is neither a legal counselor nor a health practitioner, and makes no claims in this regard. Reference or links in this article to any entity, product, service, or information do not constitute endorsement or recommendation.
BNC101
Washing your hands is the best way to stay healthy
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