15 Dec Naturopathic Flu Prevention Tips
It’s that time of year, when the flu arrives, and with it, the choice of whether or not to get the flu vaccine. Many people assume that just because I am a naturopathic doctor, I am against the flu vaccine. This is not true. My goal is to educate my patients on disease prevention and health promotion so that they can make an informed decision that’s right for them and their family.
Health professionals are deeply concerned about the flu because historically there have been massive flu outbreaks, often with serious consequences. The greatest risk today is pneumonia, which can lead to complications in susceptible people. The flu vaccine is promoted as a response to these concerns.
The main reason some people choose to avoid the vaccine is because its degree of efficacy varies from year to year. The Public Health Agency of Canada reported, “Vaccine efficacy estimates against laboratory confirmed influenza in healthy adults 18-64 years of age range widely from as low as 15 per cent to as high as 75 per cent. However, the majority of the seasons and populations studied have efficacy estimates of 50-60 per cent. Estimates appear to depend on the year of the study, which likely reflects the virulence of the strain and how well the vaccine was matched with the circulating strains of influenza.”
Others are concerned that the vaccine can contain a mercury-based preservative called thimerosal, along with a host of other preservatives and additives to make it last longer and work stronger. It can be associated with known side effects ranging from flu-like symptoms to, more rarely, allergic reactions.
If you have diabetes, heart disease, asthma, obesity, or an immune-compromised condition, the flu vaccine can be an important safety measure. If you are a health care worker or take care of children under six months old, your workplace might strongly recommend that you do receive the vaccine.
The flu vaccine is highly recommended for pregnant women, although this can be controversial for some. If you choose to, or must get the vaccine for health or work reasons ask your health care provider for the “single dose” vaccination, as this is thimerosal free. Nova Scotians have the option of receiving one of two vaccines: AGRIFLU or FLUVIRAL. AGRIFLU is single dose and contains no thimerosal, while FLUVIRAL does.
The following are naturopathic recommendations to protect you and your family.
1. Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water.
2. Resist all temptations to touch any part of the face (unless eating or bathing).
3. Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your sleeve, wash your hands and face as soon after as possible and discard the tissue.
4. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water.
The flu virus takes two to three days after initial infection in the throat or nasal cavity to multiply and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents multiplication.
5. Use a Neti pot to clean your nostrils or blow the nose hard once a day and swab both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water to effectively bring down the viral population.
6. Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in vitamin C. Daily, eat dark leafy greens and at least two servings of berries or citrus fruit.
7. Choose to eat warm foods such as soups, stews, casseroles and baked dishes. Warm food is easier to digest and supports immune health.
8. Drink at least six glasses of warm liquids throughout the day.
9. Get plenty of rest and reduce stress.
10. Establish a flu prevention protocol. Probiotics: 20 billion daily with food + Vitamin D 1,000-2,000 IU daily + Vitamin C (1000 to 3000 mg) with zinc daily.