As the H1N1 flu season seems to be winding down, the seasonal flu peak is about to begin. And each year 36,000 people in the U.S. die from the seasonal flu.
So when is the best time to get to a doctor and when you can use natural remedies?
Your first line of defense in preventing the flu is hand washing, but you can also live a lifestyle that is favorable for a stronger immune system.
To enhance your immunity it is recommended that:
- You get an optimum share of Vitamin D
- Eat a diet that is not full of simple carbs, which include a lot of white, sugary foods that can reduce immunity
- Get Omega-3 fatty acids in your diet from cold water fish or fish oil pills
- Exercise
- Sleep 7 to 8 hours a night
- Manage your stress
Dr. Henri Roca also recommends that if you did not get a flu vaccine and are hard hit with illness, you should get the prescription anti-viral from your doctor.
“Use Tami flu only if you have the really serious, hit by a train high fever,” he said. “We’re talking 104 or 105, absolutely fatigued, profoundly fatigued, very muscle achy, then take it because it can keep you from being severely ill enough to be in the hospital.”
However, if the severe symptoms persist, you should go to the hospital.
“If you can't take fluids, or it feels like any cough is getting down deeper into the chest or it looks like there are any problems breathing, shortness of breath, or it’s a little bit hard to catch your breath, then that's when you go to the emergency room,” said Roca.
But he also says there are some natural ways to feel better if you don't have a serious case of the flu.
“There are some homeopathic remedies, specifically Flu-plus that can be used to help modulate the flu,” said Roca. “It was used in the last pandemic of 1918.”
All remedies should be taken at the first signs of symptoms and are for both the H1N1 and seasonal flu viruses.
“As we move into the rest of the winter, it will be nearly impossible to differentiate the new flu from the seasonal flu because the new flu test is great if it says it's positive but it means nothing if it says it's negative.”
And while seniors know to have pneumonia vaccine to prevent a deadly infection, Roca says that everyone 2 to 65 should as well.
“There is a recommendation from the CDC that younger people be immunized against pneumococcal because the big reason why younger people are dying from the new flu is not the flu itself, but it is the bacteria that take advantage of a damaged system from the flu.”
The seasonal flu is more likely to be a problem for the very old and very young. The H1N1 is more likely to be serious for people younger than 50 years old.
