At some point in your life, most especially during the upcoming season, you’ve likely been plagued with fever, sore throat, cough, muscle aches and/or congestion. These are all symptoms of the very variable and contagious influenza virus.  It is generally thought that the best way to avoid getting the flu is to get vaccinated.  Keep in mind that it can take up to two weeks for the vaccine to take effect, which is why it is recommended at the beginning of the season as a preventative method.  There has been much controversy surrounding the effectiveness of the flu shot, but in many ways, getting vaccinated offers the best protection currently available against influenza. 

One important aspect of vaccination, especially with the flu, is the idea of “community immunity.”  The idea is that once a critical portion of a population has been immunized against a disease, most members of that population are protected against that disease as it is less likely to spread.  By protecting yourself, you will also help protect those around you.  Still, people are skeptical. 

The flu vaccine is estimated to be 50 – 60% effective.  That effectiveness sounds great to a lot of people but for many healthy adults, it doesn’t cut it.  No one wants to get an ineffective flu shot, especially after last winter when immunizations weren’t a good match with the most rampant strain of influenza.  If you are a healthy adult, your body can often fight off such infections without much assistance from medications or supplements.  For this reason, people in this group may choose to opt out of getting vaccinated.

The flu shot is NOT a guarantee:

Although the flu vaccine is the best protection we have against influenza, it's still possible that some people may become ill despite being vaccinated.  As mentioned, there are many different types of strains, the virus is constantly evolving, and sometimes the vaccine doesn’t protect against the most common flu strain for the season.  There are still some natural remedies you can use to get you through a bout of cold and flu.  Here are some of the more commonly used supplements to fight the flu this season:

•                Saline nasal drops or sprays

•                Gargling with salt water

•                Mint

•                Umcka (over the counter cold and flu medicine)

•                Zinc

•                Echinacea

•                Vitamin C

•                Goldenseal

•                Elderberry

•                Ginseng

The best way to avoid the flu is to prevent it.

Take everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs

1.     Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue in the trash after you use it

2.     Wash your hands often with soap and water; if soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub

3.     Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth

4.     Try to avoid close contact with sick people

5.     If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone

6.     While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them