Winter 2009 Flu Update

Have you ever woke up and felt a tickle in your throat, heaviness behind your eyes, drippy nose, or maybe an ear ache? I’m sure you recognize these as pre-symptoms of the cold or flu. It is important to immediately take steps to assist your body’s healing process and to avoid infecting others. Be proactive and start strengthening your immune system to better resist any cold or flu bug that comes along this season. This can also be achieved by testing your biological terrain, the environment inside your body that surrounds and feeds your cells. If this environment is not healthy, you will be more susceptible to any infection. I have posted a top ten list of healthy ways to combat the flu this season on our website www.preventivemedicinestl.com.

A Few Flu Facts:

1. Researchers make an educated “guess” as to which strain of influenza to use in each season’s vaccine based on which strains of influenza were most prevalent the previous season.

2. The swine flu cannot be caught from eating pork or pork products. It is a respiratory virus that is passed from person to person by breathing contaminated air or touching contaminated surfaces and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

3. Alcohol dissolves the influenza’s protective outer coat, “making it non-infectious,” so using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be effective in preventing the flu.

4. Infected people can infect others 2 days before and up to 7 days after becoming sick.

5. Some viruses can live up to 2 hours on hard surfaces such as doorknobs and table tops.

Should I get the flu vaccine?
Vaccines are recommended in certain situations. I base this decision on your current circumstances and also your personal medical history. Most of you know that I am not a fan of this vaccine. *Studies show that the flu’ vaccine is not useful for children under the age of two and adults over the age of 65 who live at home. There are multiple strains of the flu’ virus, with new strains forming each year. When you get the flu’ shot, only three strains are contained in the vaccine and there is no guarantee that the vaccine matches the flu’ strain of the season.

There is also the problem of the flu’ vaccine containing Thimerosal (mercury), a preservative known to have toxic effects on the body. Please note that the CDC does not believe that Thimerosal, in doses contained in vaccines, is harmful to health. I am a bit more skeptical on this point. My general advice is not to get the vaccine. There are always exceptions to the rule. I make these exceptions for people with chronic diseases such as emphysema, heart failure, cystic fibrosis, etc.

If you choose to take the vaccine, get it early in the season to give your body the time to mount an appropriate immune response. Insist on getting Thimerosal (mercury) free vaccine. Afluria made by CSL biotherapies is Thimerosal free. Fluvirin by Novartis and Fluarix by Glaxo-SmithKline contain trace amounts of Thimerosal, but have been allowed to make the claim of being mercury free. FluMist is a nasal spray vaccine that cannot be used by pregnant women and immune-compromised individuals as it is a live viral vaccine. If you have specific concerns my staff can schedule a short visit to develop a plan of action. .

* Studies: Safety of influenza vaccines in children: The Lancet (medical journal), Sept. 2005; 366:803-804 Resistance to Anti-flu agents increasing worldwide and flu vaccines have modest effectiveness in elderly people. Lancet Sept. 2005

Questions and Answers

Who suffers from Adrenal Fatigue?
The young, the elderly, usually those who have suffered: serious or repeated injury, illness, allergies, inadequate nutrition, intense social pressures, or those exposed to a toxic environment are more likely to suffer from Adrenal Fatigue.

Can I recover from Adrenal Fatigue?
Most people can fully recover once you have completed a treatment plan. If I have Adrenal Fatigue, am I more prone to getting sick? Yes. Adrenal Fatigue frequently goes hand in hand with weakening the immune system.

What is the difference between H1N1 and the seasonal flu? They are both influenza. H1N1 is a different strand of influenza virus than the typical seasonal influenza. H1N1 has affected humans earlier in the year. Patients were reporting H1N1 cases as early as April this season. The peak months for the typical influenza season are October through February.

Author Bio: Dr. Varsha Rathod is a Board Certified Rheumatologist and Internist. Preventive Medicine has focused on a combination of traditional and holistic medicine since 1967. For more information about alternative solutions, visit http://www.preventivemedicinestl.com or call 314-997-5403.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: Flu shots, ederly flu shots, alternative to flu shots, adrenal fatigue, vaccines