With all the public concern regarding the H1N1 virus (swine flu) that originated in Mexico recently, many chiropractic patients are asking what they can do to avoid the flu.
Dr. Winchester suggests a few proactive steps you can take to minimize your risk now and prepare your body for the return of the flu season next fall. But first you should know more about the virus.
What is the Flu?
Influenza, or the flu, is a collection of symptoms associated with a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. The symptoms include fever, body aches, coughing, sneezing and fatigue. The common cold has similar symptoms, but it’s actually much milder in intensity.
Reducing Your Risk
There are two main ways to avoid the symptoms of the flu:
1.) Reduce your exposure to the virus.
2.) Boost your natural ability to fight the virus once it enters your body.
A flu victim’s sneeze or cough releases millions of virus particles into the air. This makes airborne transmission of the flu possible. And when someone with flu wipes his nose or mouth with his hand, he leaves virus particles behind on anything he touches.
To avoid spreading or catching the flu, Dr. Winchester advises patients to take the following precautions:
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
When you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth with the inside of your elbow.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
If you do get the flu, you should quarantine yourself- stay home, get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids (water is best). Most flu symptoms subside within a few days.
Improving Your Immunity
When functioning properly, the immune system either prevents you from getting sick, or helps you recover quickly when you’re ill. But a compromised immune system leaves you more susceptible to the flu and vulnerable to more serious complications, such as developing pneumonia.
Boosting your immunity can be accomplished in many ways. Dr. Winchester recommends:
Natural herbal supplements- Echinacea is one of the most popular herbal supplements shown to boost your immunity and speed up your recovery from colds or the flu. Vitamin C and zinc are also beneficial to immune health.
Chiropractic- This approach improves the function of the nervous system by locating and correcting vertebral subluxations (areas of restriction and misalignment in the spine). Since the nervous system plays a major role in regulating the functions of all bodily systems- including the immune system-chiropractic care can significantly improve your natural immunity.