It's the flu .... it's the flu

DON'T PANIC - let's look at this rationally.
How many billions of people are there in the world? I know there's 20 millioin in Mexico City and between 7-180 cases of H1N1 Influenza A (aka Swine Flu) - do the math folks.

Ok, in the southern hemisphere flu season is upon us and it's best to take precautions (regardless of the strain of flu about), so as these types of infections are spread by human-to-human or human-to-hard surface contact, we should all try to reduce the risk of getting sick or infecting others.

* Cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze (or wear a face mask).
* Throw away any used tissues into a garbage bin
* wash hands thoroughly and regularly, especially before you touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
* Avoid close contact with anyone who is sick.
* If you’re sick, stay at home and avoid close contact with young children and the elderly.
* eat healthy, fresh fruit and vege to support keep your body "fighting fit"
* if you are immuno-suppressed or work in public health get your flu vaccine soon

Are you looking for a safe healthy alternative for flu immunity?
Rather than hording the pharmaceutical treatments (Tamiflu etc) try the homeopathic option and get 'Flu Immunity' drops: either to support your system against the bugs or help recover from it.

Susceptibility to infections depends upon the status of the immune system. The goal of the treatment with homoeopathic preparations is to activate and support the endogenous defense mechanisms, ie to strengthen the body’s defense against infection.

Biotherapeutic treatments stimulate the body’s own immune system affecting the actual causes of the illness. This is done as a regulation therapy of the defence activity not as a suppression therapy = much kinder to your body.

Stay well!

Cold n Flu Fighters

Obviously eating well, exercising every day and getting enough sleep is integral to staying healthy, but what should you do when you're "under attack" with a cold or the dreaded flu? Here are some tips:

Supplement Your Diet

Vitamin C helps increase the production of disease-fighting white blood cells and antibodies.

Vitamin E also helps immunity cells produce antibodies.

Echinacea fires up your immune system to help prevent/treat attack.

Beta-Carotene converts in the body into Vitamin A and helps in the production of infection-fighting cells.

Zinc increases the ability of white blood cells to fight infection.

Selenium helps prevent cellular damage by free radicals.

Exercise is great to reduce stress, improve sleep and aid weight management HOWEVER if you've got a "bug" is best to cut out or cut back on exercise until your immune system has recovered (physical activity causes a level of stress on the body). "Soldiering On" is NOT the way to quickly recover - if you're unwell, treat your body nicely and let it rest.

Sleep rejuvenates your body and helps your immune system function. Deep sleep stimulates the thymus gland to produce T-cells which help reject foregin substances and produces antibodies to fight infection. Aim to get 7-8 hours quality sleep a night. Sleeping helps you de-stress...

Stress triggers the release of adrenaline and cortisol hormones that will reduce your boyd's ability to produce antibodies - that's why highly-stressed people offers get more colds and suffer digestive upsets.

Resource: 'liveitup' Winter 08 magazine, published by Blackmores. Information supplied by Andrew Cate, Nutritionist.

Make Colds Less Common

Winter, in the Southern Hemisphere, is on the door-step and Sydney has had a cold and damp Autumn to date, so here are a few tips on avoiding or managing the "common cold" - common because lots of people get them, particularly in Winter when we live indoors and closer together.

Colds spread by touching hands or solid objects that are contaminated by one of more than 200 viruses, or by breathing in droplets from sneezes or coughs. A cold is an infection of the repiratory tract and usually gets better on its own in 5-7 days. Symptoms include sneezing, coughing, sore throat and blocked or runny nose: the cough is often the last symptom to resolve and may take 2 weeks or longer. Antibiotics do not help colds as they don't work on viruses and the best treatments are rest, staying warm and drinking lots of fluids.

If you got a gold, good manners for keeping germs to yourself are:
* cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing
* use tissues, rather than hankerchiefs, to blow your nose and dispose of the tissue appropriately after use
* wash your hands with soap regularly, especially after blowing your nose or before preparing / eating food
* avoid sharing cups, glasses, cutlery
* keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth (the hand transfers the contaminant).

Often the common cold is mistaken for flu (influenza). Flu however has a very sudden onset with a high fever and symptoms include body aches, shivering, sweating and throat and lung irritation. General vaccines are available to help ward off the flu and now is the time to get a shot, particularly if you are elderly, have chronic illnesses or closely with the public (health workers, teachers, bus drivers etc).

Resource: Frank Bazik, Royal North Shore Hospital, story in Mosman Daily 1/5/08