Flu Prevention Recommendations?

Anyone have any recommendations on what I could take to help prevent the flu? For the first time in ages I got the flu last year and my PCP and family were upset because I never take the flu vaccine.

Well, the pressure is on for me to get the vaccine yet I worry about it with my own health being so fragile.

Do you have kids? Kids carry around so many germs.

If you have kids --- How about antibacterial by the door. Anyone that comes in the house, you clean your hands first thing.

If the kids get any sign of illness - you wear a mask.

You do this procedure if you have a family member going through cancer treatment. Why not just do it for a sick person with lyme? It makes sense to me.

I would NOT get any vaccination while treating Lyme or other TBD or while healing a damaged GI or anything else that challenges immune function. I am now pretty certain that the highest and healthiest point of my life was destroyed by the flu vaccine I had a few yrs ago... I've had Lyme & Co for about 20 yrs but I had recovered and was feeling healthier than ever back in 2009-2010.

Then I got the vaccine (I was stupid, knew nothing about everything health-related). And I believe if I had not had that vaccine, I would be living w/ these infections without much noise. Can't know this 100% for sure but I am fairly certain after my research.

Anyway -

- Agree w/ PeteZa - wear a mask
- wash your hands every chance you get. wash them for at least 2 minutes each time with an organic soap (do not use antiseptic products - they strip away your body's natural germ-fighting mechanisms). Wash with warm water and wash every part of your hand and up your wrist - and wash the fingertips very well.
- get some organic lavender oil disinfectant wipes and bring them with you when you leave the house and wipe your hands EVERY SINGLE TIME after you go someplace, shake a hand, touch something in the grocery store, etc...
- wipe your steering wheel before you drive home.
- wash your hands when you get home.
- do not wait inside medical waiting rooms - check in and ask them to call you, go sit in your car or stand outside the door
- wipe down the refrigerator door often
- wash your hands before putting ANYTHING in your mouth (food, meds, etc)
- also, you can try to make sure you NEVER wear shoes in the house, keep them by the front door, or ALWAYS wear shoes in the house and never go barefoot. People track all kinds of stuff in on shoes - so if you live with other people, it's easier to just take your street shoes off when you walk in the door and always wear flipflops or slippers or something comfortable you can wash frequently.
- and clean surfaces, toilet seats, door handles, etc. frequently!
- support your immune function by being very careful with your diet, eat only healthy foods and prevent damage.

For some reason, I have not developed the flu or colds in nearly 2 decades. At first, I thought it was because my immune system was so under-functioning. That MIGHT be the reason but I also think if this were true I would be very sick from other things. It could also be that my immune system was malfunctioning and I just never developed the SYMPTOMS of colds and flu (which is a sign that your immune system is fighting stuff off and trying to punt them from your body, thus the inflammation, extra fluids coming out of your nose, eyes, etc...)

Or, it could be that I started this very systematic and ritual hand-washing after I moved to NYC... I don't know but I literally haven't come down with those cold or flu sx for a very, very long time.

-p

also when you shop for groceries the carts that you push or baskets that you carry have tons of other peoples germs on them.


when you fuel up your vehicle...the gas pump has had many different peoples hands on them.

If you travel, planes, hotels etc wipe things down especially the TV remotes and in planes the trays that fold down and arm rests, seat belt buckles.

wow germs are everywhere. I would keep building your immune system, exercise and eat right. It will all help.

goshawk, also good advice. It is scary when I think of all the things I touch. I'm going to be more proactive this year with the germs.

Increased dose of Vit D3 did wonders while I was living in a polluted environment in south Corea.

We used to take all colds or viruses around, at a rate of 2 x a month!!

Next year, in winter, we decided to take Vit D3 daily. It was a CLEAR change. We still got colds, but nothing like before (maybe one or two colds during the whole winter).

Thieves oil, lavender oil, Eucalyptus oil (all essential oils) are GREAT too.
I use Olbas after I catch something , but Lavender feels so much better as preventative.

If you catch it, there are strong homeopathic medicines that I would keep in the closet.
One is certainly Oscilococcinum.

Or Ledum palustre and Hypericum perforatum. They even help with lyme or lyme coinfections.

Another two antimicrobials I can put my hands on fire:
Notakehl and Quentakehl: you can buy these original Sanum products or simply buy the nosodes separately:

penicillum notatum or chrysogenum D5
penicillum glabrum D5

They are never missing in my closet.

I also use wild oregano oil for a preventative . I use it anyway, but greatly increase my dose/ frequency when I'm around sick people or around alot of people in general.

I also keep lavender & /or a thieves oil blend with me all the time & put it on a tissue or sleeve & inhale in an ' emergency ' type germ situation. ( like when you find yourself surrounded by coughing people while grocery shopping etc) .

Casa11, the tissue or sleeve with oils is pretty ingenious.

I wouldn't get the vax.
Instead work on your immune system-get 8 hours of sleep-take a probiotic-take something that kicks up your immune system ( I like colostrum )-give up sugar-take d3.

You have to sing the ABC's in our house when you wash your hands -- the grandkids love it, even the 22 yr old still does it here. Well trained.

Loutucky, just be cautious and get some Wet Ones. They can come in individual packets. I have them in my purse and in my glove compartment. I use them everywhere that the public touches and I have to touch. Especially in the flu season.

I hope you stay well this season. If someone coughs - Run Loutucky Run!!!

LOL! But most of all, don't stress and remember to laugh. Laughter cures so many things.

Loutucky said...
Thank you PeteZa! You stay healthy too!!

<3

I only skimmed the previous responses, but don't think any of these were mentioned:

- Influenzium by Boiron is a homeopathic that is made new each year for the suspected flu strains; my entire family takes this; we take 3 pellets once a week for 5 weeks usually starting in October or so
- Notatum Quentans is another homeopathic I use regularly throughout the cold / flu season
- I also use essential oils that support the immune system
- elderberry syrup for immune support (you can make this or buy it)
- vitamin D
- and of course, even though it's been mentioned, washing, washing, washing hands all the time because it's worth repeating