Cold and Flu season is upon us. Families struggle to stay well when everyone is so busy making contact at school, daycare, work, and extracurricular activities. The good news is, there are ways that you can prevent becoming ill and actually make it through the winter feeling healthier than ever, experiencing less colds and flues. After all “It’s not the germ it’s the terrain” –L. Pasteur.
These common illnesses are caused by viruses; Rhinovirus, Coronavirus and parainfluenza virus may cause the common cold, while the flu is caused by Influenza virus. It is important to realize that these infections are self limiting, meaning they will eventually go away on their own, but can be quite serious causing hospitalization in some cases usually with influenza. Antibiotics are not indicated and are only useful for 0.5 to 5% of cases that progress to secondary bacterial infection. Globally the flu affects about 500 million people yearly usually in the late fall or winter as an outbreak.
Talk to your Naturopathic Doctor about starting a prevention plan. The most important things covered will be hand hygiene, diet and lifestyle techniques to enhance immunity and specific supplements that can be used to help prime the non-specific immune system. A natural vaccination program may also be used including homeopathic influenzinum taken orally and/or an immune boost injection. Some supplements that can be considered are Echinaceae Premium or Andrographis Complex by Mediherb. These highly researched and clinically effective products will tingle in your respiratory tissues as they help enhance your first-line immunity. Diet also plays a huge role in our immune system as well as our lactobacillus probiotic balance. Avoidance of mucous forming foods such as citrus juices or excesses of dairy and sugar is a good idea along with a foundational well balanced diet.
Get started on your prevention plan now!
(This article is not meant to act as a treatment protocol. Talk to your naturopathic doctor about what strategy is appropriate for you including doses and frequency of supplements)
References:
Flint: Cummings Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery, 5th ed. [Internet]. Mosby; 2010. Chapter 16 Paryngitis in adults. [Cited 2012 Sept 30]. Available from here : click here
http://www.mediherb.com/articles/AndrographisPDSLR.pdf
http://www.mediherb.com/product_pdf/EchinaceaPremiumLR.pdf
Tannis, A. Probiotic rescue: how you can use probiotics to fight cholesterol, cancer, superbugs, digestive complaints and more.
Mississauga. John Wiley & Sons Canada Ltd.; 2008.
Yeager, S and editors of Prevention. The doctors book of food remedies. United States. Rodale Inc.; 2007