Chances are this
winter season you, your family, your friends, and your co-workers have already
contracted the flu and are over the worst of it. According to the Centers for Disease Control
(CDC), this season has been one of the worst in several years as many, even
with the flu vaccine, are seeking treatment with their health care
provider. Unfortunately, new research
demonstrates that the flu virus can travel up to six feet simply from talking
and breathing.
Historically,
the flu virus is thought to spread only through short distances and with
coughing and sneezing in the release of larger respiratory droplets. This of course makes it important to wear a
mask when sick, cover your nose when you cough or sneeze (preferably with your
arm, not your hands), and use tissues.
With this new information that the virus can move more than a foot or
two, it becomes critically important that hygiene and health practices take an
even larger role.
First, if
you are sick, feeling down, experiencing chills and a fever, coughing,
sneezing, difficulty swallowing with congested sinuses and ears – please stay home. Unless you are running to your health care
provider’s office for help or the local pharmacy for treatment and tissue - the
public does not want to become sick. Do
not try to muster through it because you will end up feeling worse and
infecting those around you.
Second,
sanitize yourself. Wash your hands
frequently or use antibacterial germ lotion.
Remember to wipe down everything.
This includes your cell phone, your steering wheel, your desk, your
keyboard, your counters, the handles in your house, your iPod and iPad and whatever
else your hands come in contact with during the day. Many grocery stores are offering
antibacterial wipes to swipe the handle of the shopping cart before use which
can help reduce infection as well.
Third, take
care of yourself. The flu season usually
hits during a stressful time of year (think: holidays) when the weather is
colder, darker and wetter and dietary/exercise habits may be more in “hibernation”
instead of keeping healthy therefore remember to stay hydrated, minimize sugar
and caffeine, get a good solid amount of sleep, say “no” to things that stress
you out and laugh often (maybe with your mouth closed so you do not breathe in
other people’s respiratory droplets!)
Fourth, keep
up on your supplements as they may be helpful.
Probiotics, commonly known as the good gut bacteria or live active
cultures in yogurt, are helpful at supporting the immune system in the
gastrointestinal tract especially after a course of antibiotics, vomiting or
diarrhea. While yogurt may sound good
when you are sick, dairy products often thicken mucus which may not be ideal when
you have a congested head therefore a capsule daily is recommended. There are many mixed supplements that contain
Vitamin C, Zinc, B vitamins, elderberry, Echinacea, garlic and more in order to
strengthen the immune system. While research
is mixed, there is a lot of anecdotal evidence in my practice to show that sick
people love their supplements and report less illness overall, shorter duration
and easier symptoms.
Fifth, the
flu vaccine is probably not going to save you now if you have not yet had your
shot. With the number of people who did
receive the vaccine and still got the flu, many in the health field are reporting
that the flu vaccine was the wrong strain.
This information is all tracked by the CDC at their Fluview webpage, http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/. However, talk with your health care provider
to determine if the vaccine is a good idea for you at this time.
References:
1.Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Immunization and
Respiratory Diseases. Situation Update:
Summary of Weekly Fluview. Web. 3 February, 2013.
2. Brown, T.
Now Published: Flu Virus can spread up to 6 feet, No Cough or Sneeze
Required. Web. 3 February, 2013. ttp://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/778674
3. Ciorba,
M. A Gastroenterologist’s Guide to
Probiotics. Web. 3 February, 2013.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/770468