Top Tips for Fighting & Preventing the Flu

Before the flu season really hits, especially if you are in a higher risk age or health category, be sure to get the appropriate flu shot. However, this alone is not enough. The key to preventing flu infection is to keep the immune system up.

One reason we get flu in winter is the depression that comes with the dark days and cold. In fact, bright lights can actually brighten your outlook and help the immune system.

Depression is a serious flu-catching factor. Depression lowers the immune system, sometimes dramatically. You might be surprised to learn that collecting jokes to tell your friends can actually elevate your immune system. Watch humorous shows and rent comedies to boost your flu protection.

If you are going to crowded events or travelling on public transportation, using a water soluble nasal gel can make a difference. A water soluble nasal gel, such as Breathe Ease XL, coats the nasal tissue to prevent the virus from entering. It also moisturizes the nose at a nasal and a cellular level so that good white cells and enzymes can get to the virus to do their job.

Dryness of the nose means there is no mucus barrier to prevent the virus from attaching to the nose and entering. Moisten the nose, but be sure to use a saline that doesn't contain harmful preservatives like Benzalkonium. Putting a pan of water in the bedroom is also recommended; it will evaporate and moisten the air while you sleep.

Normal nasal cilia move the mucus blanket out of the nose. The virus gets entrapped in that mucus blanket and is moved out by good nasal cilia action. If you typically catch the flu, have sinusitis or frequent congestion – pulsatile irrigation is the most effective way to restore the nasal cilia and this helps protect against the flu.

Good hand washing is also crucial, and simply using soap and water is best. Wash often to remove flu virus before you put your hands near your eyes, mouth or nose.

Sleep is paramount in keeping the immune system up. Try to keep an exact sleep schedule. To set your sleep clock, go to sleep at the same hour and practice the same habits every night – wash face, brush hair, brush teeth, etc. In addition, avoid a meal three hours before sleep.

Black or green tea, with lemon and honey (with or without caffeine) is another excellent flu fighter. It contains antioxidants and a chemical called L-Theanine which primes the immune blood cells. How much tea should you drink? Actually you should drink until your urine turns light. The lemon and honey thin the mucus and allow the cilia to move the mucus out of the lungs and sinuses. There are hundreds of herbal teas available, but have not been proven to aid flu, so you should stick to the teas we know help, like black and green.

Want to catch the flu? Interested in getting your money's worth from your local GP? Then take a three hour flight. The dry air, the closeness of others with flu, the upset of your sleep pattern – all will combine to get you sick. I have patients who always get sick when they fly. If you must fly, the solution has been to use a water soluble nasal gel, such as Breathe Ease XL, to cover the nasal tissue, sort of like a cellophane cover. Also, carry tea bags to drink on the flight and bring lots of tissues to hand out to the idiot next to you that doesn't know what they are for.

During and after the flu, you cough because your chest cilia have not been restored. When you cough, it means that the ordinary cilia of the chest are not doing their job. That's when the cough takes over. So, increase your tea, lemon and honey intake. If your cough persists after the flu, be sure to get a bronchial inhaler from your doctor. This opens the chest and allows for mucus to exit more easily, and for air to get into the lungs as well.

The flu virus may leave you with impaired cilia function. This is why so many persons get a sinus condition later. Using pulsatile sinus irrigation to restore the cilia helps prevent the secondary infections following a flu condition.

So, don't forget – sleep, keeping your sense of humour and hot tea with lemon and honey are important.

Top 10 Tips

1.                  Before the flu season really hits, get the appropriate flu shot.

2.                  Fight off winter-time depression and boost your immune system by using bright lights, which actually brighten your mood and help protect your body.

3.                  Collect jokes to tell your friends, watch humorous shows and rent comedies to keep your mood positive and boost your flu protection.

4.                  Use a water soluble nasal gel, such as Breathe Ease XL, which coats the nasal tissue to prevent the virus from entering.

5.                  Put a pan of water in the bedroom; it will evaporate and moisten the air while you sleep.

6.                  Wash your hands with soap and water. Wash often to remove flu virus before you put your hands near your eyes, mouth or nose.

7.                  Try to keep an exact sleep schedule. Set your sleep clock by going to sleep at the same hour and practicing the same habits every night – wash face, brush hair, brush teeth, etc. In addition, avoid a meal three hours before sleep.

8.                  Drink lots of black or green tea, with lemon and honey (with or without caffeine). It contains antioxidants and a chemical called L-Theanine, which primes the immune blood cells.

9.                  If you will be travelling on planes, carry tea bags to drink on the flight and bring lots of tissues, for yourself or a sick neighbour.

10.              If your cough persists after the flu, be sure to get a bronchial inhaler from your doctor. This opens the chest and allows for mucus to exit more easily, and for air to get into the lungs.

By Murray Grossan, M.D. Cedars-Sinai, Author of "The Sinus Cure."