‘PROTECTING YOURSELF AGAINST SWINE
FLU’
In the news again are warnings that
we are headed for round two of the swine flu. Health officials say we are not
ready. Some researchers feel we will never be ready due to the virus’s ability
to quickly mutate. With a higher than usual mortality rates these warnings
should not be taken lightly. So is
there any way we can actually protect our families and ourselves from this flu?
Unfortunately over time we have
given too much of the responsibility for our health, or lack of it to our
physician when so much of the time we do have control-more than we know. Take a
look at these simple proven flu prevention remedies.
First lines of defense:
Thorough hand washing with soap and water is one of the best defenses against
the spread of pathogens. A simple bar of soap is good enough. Put plenty of
action into your hand washing. Granted most virus infections are airborne but
the number of viruses transmitted via direct contact is greater. Therefore,
wash your hands frequently and keep your hands and fingers out of your mouth.
Get plenty of rest. At no time are you more vulnerable to illness than
when you are tired and short of sleep. Studies show that immunity can be
chronically depressed with less than adequate rest, leaving you vulnerable to
cold and flu.
Drink plenty of liquids. Six to eight glasses of water will
keep the body well hydrated and reduces the toxic load. Adequate hydration helps keep mucous
membranes moist and less vulnerable to disease.
Zinc taken in the form of lozenges is a must. I am recommending
to all my clients that they use zinc daily to help prevent flu. Bathing the
mucous membranes of the mouth and throat with zinc prevents virus replication.
If the virus you are exposed to cannot replicate it cannot make you sick. If
taken after you develop the flu it will help shorten and lessen symptoms. Carry zinc lozenges with you at all
times so if accidentally exposed to someone with a cough or cold you can protect
yourself.
Vitamin C taken daily helps boost immunity. The patented form
Ester C is clinically proven to remain in the body and available to the cells
for 24-48 hours after ingestion. Ester C is a great improvement over other
brands that wash out of the system almost as soon as they are ingested.
Flu vaccine has been proven to be effective in reducing the
seriousness of flu should you happen to develop a full-blown case. The elderly
and the very young are the most vulnerable and should be vaccinated.
Flu strains come and go. Most
everyone in the course of a lifetime will develop the flu several times
regardless of vaccines and other preventative measures- no one escapes. Using
preventative measures may lessen the number of times you are sick and decrease
symptoms and duration when you do get sick. Till next time, Rebecca