With the return of school, reporting of "Influenza Like Illnesses" has begun a steep climb while there’s still a month to go before availability of the CDC promised vaccine. At this rate, the odds are good that a large percentage of the population will acquire immunity the old-fashioned way, curled up on a couch with their blankie.
By all accounts, for those who don’t have pre-existing high risk conditions, the 2009 H1N1 virus involves only mild symptoms of a short duration. I personally haven’t had any vaccinations in nearly two decades, so each year is an adventure as the seasonal bugs start to circulate. Invariably, friends with children in school are the first to fall, quickly followed by those who work with people who have children in school.
I’m continually exposed to both, yet only occasionally get symptoms of any real consequence. What’s my secret? I build my immunity and, when I do get symptoms, I build my immunity.
First, sleep is important to every aspect of health. Running on empty for a short period of time won’t put you on the skids to the sniffles, but it’ll give you a head start. We’re all burning the candle at both ends. I usually skimp on sleep to meet weekday demands, and then over the weekend play I catch up. At least one night, I’ll go to sleep early and sleep (sans alarm clock) until I wake up naturally the next day. If you’re married with children then one spouse can sleep in on Saturday while the other sleeps in on Sunday.
Second, eat right. If you live on drive-through foods, then you’re doomed. We just were not designed to survive on cull meats, extruded potato products and soda. Eat at least one meal of real food each day and include immunity building foods like: shiitake mushrooms, garlic and fruits. One orange provides your daily requirement for vitamin C. Most berries are rich in antioxidants. An apple a day really can keep the doctor away. Zinc (known to reduce symptoms and duration) can be found in oysters, wheat germ, pumpkin seeds and beef (two slices of beef bologna gives you more than a third of the Zinc RDA).
Third, stay hydrated. That means drink fluids to enable your body to flush out the bad stuff. Of course, water is most often recommended, but green tea deserves serious consideration. Among it’s many other benefits, studies have shown that green tea can reduce flu symptoms, if not prevent it all together. Adding a few slices of fresh ginger root will give it some zing and added immunity boosting. Sweetening it with molasses will give you a broad spectrum of trace minerals.
Fourth, exercise. This can be as simple as taking a walk three times a week, parking farther away from work, or even taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Studies have shown that even moderate, routine exercise increases the number of cells that attack invading bacteria and the increased circulation get them out there to do their job. But don’t over do it, because too much intense exercise can actually reduce your immunity.
Finally, when a bug does cause symptoms, react reasonably. If you’re feeling tired, then get rest. Munch on some flax seeds for their anti-inflammatory properties. Throw a cup of oregano into a pot of boiling water and steam your head, inhaling deeply, to open sinuses and knock out bacteria in your respiratory system. If you haven’t already added ginger to your tea, now is the time along with a tea spoon of cinnamon and sweeten with honey. Enjoy a pot of garlic and cabbage soup. [Cook 1 cup long-grain brown rice in 8 cups of chicken broth with 3 tablespoons of minced fresh garlic for 20 minutes, add 6 cups of cut up cabbage and simmer until soft, about 15 minutes.]
Last year, my approach was put to the test when my sister, after a week of snuffling with a head cold, sore throat and hacking cough decided that she needed to visit me. As we sat in my living room, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her while I planned my shopping list in my head. It was an end-of-season virus that promised days of sore throat followed by weeks of congested coughing and a blazing red nose. Everyone in her family was already into week two of fighting against it.
Sure enough, two days later my throat felt scratchy. I phoned to thank her and she, being a nurse by profession, advised me of the OTC drug remedies that had "worked" for her family. When I told her that planned to just use tea and soups, she wished me luck (in that snarky you-don’t-know-what-you’re-in-for sort of way).
Two more days and I sounded like Mr Snuffleupagus and my nose felt twice as big. Again, my sister gave me a list of OTC drugs. Again, I said my tea and soup was working fine for now.
In two more days, she was back at my door, still wheezing, still snuffling, OTC drugs in hand. By this time, I was well past the worst of it. Even my nose was almost normal. I felt strange taking the cold and flu medicine from her. She clearly needed it more than I did. Again, I offered her some tea and soup to take with her, but she refused.
A week later, she called to check up on me. At that point, I was well past the virus. Her head was finally cleared. She had hopes that her chest would clear up within the week (It would take another month). A part of me wanted to goad her about how effective her approach was compared to mine. But as she hacked into the phone, I chose instead to be grateful that I had a sister who cared enough to force useless medicines on me.