When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, I didn't know what I was going to do. After the devastation subsided, I decided to take a very standard, western approach to my healing. Although initial efforts were successful, my cancer recurred a few months later. I endured many additional months of treatment before I started focusing on myself. I decided it was time to incorporate complimentary alternative treatments into my healing regimen, including massage therapy. I can't even begin to tell you how much it changed my life. My healing became a process, instead of something I simply had to endure. I hope that the articles on my website can inspire you to stay open-minded about your own healthcare.
The best way to fight the flu is to prevent yourself from contracting it. Some ways of avoiding the flu are common sense approaches to basic hygiene, while others are more specific. These may include:
Get a flu shot
Of course, it is always wise to get a seasonal flu shot before the start of each flu season.You can receive a flu shot from your family doctor, as well as pharmacies and urgent care centers. The cost is usually covered in full by medical insurance. For those without medical insurance, there are often free flu shots available at diverse places such as fire stations and local family fitness centers.
The flu shot that you receive may not fully protect you from the strain of flu that appears in that flu season. Flu viruses usually start appearing in the moist tropical regions of Southeast Asia, and flu vaccine developers will attempt to create a vaccine for that particular strain of flu before it travels around the world. Unfortunately, the virus sometimes mutates as it spreads, while millions of doses of vaccine are being produced. Although a flu vaccine is not tailored to fight the specific flu strain that eventually appears, it may still lessen its impact and recovery time.
Simple ways to avoid catching or spreading the flu
The flu is a virus, spread by contact with people who have the flu, or objects they have touched. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control And Prevention), flu virus can live between two and eight hours on surfaces touched by those infected with the flu virus. To avoid contamination, you might try the following suggestions:
Carry an alcohol based hand sanitizer and use it before eating or drinking. Sanitizers should also be used after touching objects that are used frequently by multiple people. These include gas pumps consoles and handles, ATM machines, cash received after a store transaction, and even doorknobs. If you use a public restroom, use tissue or paper towels to touch anything that is not controlled by sensors, such as toilet flush handles, sink faucets, and bathroom doors. Train yourself to avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouth, or ears with your bare hands.
If you think you have the flu
Flu symptoms include fever, chills, muscle aches, and cough. If you are otherwise healthy, flu symptoms should not last longer than one week, although you may have a residual cough for a few weeks after other symptoms disappear.
If you are already infected, stay home from work or school until at least one day after your fever passes naturally, without the help of fever reducers. Avoid crowds as much as possible, and use alcohol based sanitizers to help avoid spreading the virus. Also cover your mouth with your arm or sleeve when you cough, not with your hands.This is good practice even when you don't have the flu.
For more information, check out companies such as Green & Seidner Family Practice.
Share27 January 2015
