What’s in Your Medicine Chest this Flu Season?
By Dr. Janet Levatin
Will you catch a virus this “flu season?” If so, how will you treat it? More importantly, what are you doing for prevention? With a little knowledge and preparation, you can avoid getting sick this winter, and treat any illnesses that do occur with natural methods, avoiding pharmaceuticals, especially vaccines.
Of all the viruses that cause colds and influenza-like illnesses, only about 10% are actual influenza viruses. That means when people say they have the flu, nearly 90% of the time the symptoms they are experiencing are not caused by an influenza virus. That means you can get the flu shot and still get an illness you would call The Flu!
In 2006, the Cochrane Collaboration, an independent research organization, analyzed the usefulness of flu vaccines and made the following statement:
“Vaccination of healthy adults only reduced risk of influenza by 6% and reduced the number of missed work days by less than one day (0.16 days).”
Medicines to avoid: Flu shots, Tamiflu and OTC drugs
Flu shots are not good for you — but many run to get them as though they were an energy boosting vitamin B12 shot! Flu vaccines contain toxic ingredients such as polysorbate 80, formaldehyde, and Triton X-100; and many are still made with the mercury-containing thimerosol. Knowing that they don’t help much and also contain toxins should empower people to just say no to flu vaccines, especially for their children.
Several years ago during the Bird Flu fiasco, the medication Tamiflu (oseltamivir) came to market as a drug to treat the flu. Without a doubt, it should be avoided. Tamiflu is only effective in cases of culture-confirmed influenza. The first dose has to be taken within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms, and shortens the course of the illness by a mere 1.3 days compared to people who take no medication at all. The drug can cause significant side effects, and contributes to the emergence of stronger viruses resistant to all known forms of treatment.
While easily available, over-the-counter (OTC) medications are also not very useful and can have toxic effects. Dextromethorphan, an ingredient in many cough syrups, can cause seizures and hallucinations. Another common ingredient in cough syrup, guaifenesin, can cause nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, and can lead to kidney stones. Although frequently used for runny noses and itchy eyes, Benadryl can cause drowsiness or hyperactivity, as well as overly dry mucus membranes.
What’s Best for Flu Season I encourage everyone to take adequate amounts of Vitamin D3. It is a miraculous substance that participates in many bodily functions, including helping the body produce at least 200 antimicrobial peptides that have natural, antiviral activity. It also helps dampen excessive inflammatory responses, which are what lead to the aches and muscle soreness that accompany viral