Today our topic is dealing with the Flu and different ways to prevent or decrease the illness time.  Some of the symptoms of Flu are headache, being tired, body aches, fever and nausea.  The main thing you can do to avoid getting the Flu is to keep your immune system up and make sure your body is well hydrated.  Washing your hands and covering your mouth are preventative things you can do to help prevent the flu.  Disinfecting phones, keyboards, door handles, elevator buttons and use hand disinfectant for public contact can help in fighting against the flu. 

A good diet of fruit and vegetables of whole foods helps build the immune system.  Sleep is such an important part of our overall health, especially when our body is trying to fight off any virus or illness.  Stress can really add to your body getting run down and not being able to fight the virus and decreases the healing time. The Flu vaccination is created each year estimated to combat the most predicted viruses of the season.  Diabetes and asthma patients and the elderly are the most prone to getting Flu and therefore are the best candidates to get the shot.  Children should also get vaccinated especially because they are not good at washing their hands, and taking the needed precautions.  For the last seven or eight years we have had a shortage of the Flu vaccination and therefore, they have made 100 million doses to meet the need for the Flu vaccination. 

Higher doses of vitamin C 3,000 to 4,000 mg when you first get sick will aid in the recovery time of the illness.  Children should have 500 mg of vitamin C, but if sick can increase to 500 mg three times a day ages five and over.  If a child is under five, contact your pediatrician for preferred doses.  Orange juice is not a good way to get the vitamin C due to the sugar levels in the juice.  Vitamin D is another supplement which most people would get from the sun, but during the winter months we are unable to get the recommended amount and we can up our doses during this time.  When you get up in the morning stretch like a ‘kitty cat’ and this will help with circulation, digestion and the immune system of the body.     

For more information on the Flu or to receive a Flu shot, please contact Ventana Wellness at 541-773-9772.  We wish you a healthy Flu free winter!