If you have been diagnosed with influenza, you may wish you go over the following four questions with your physician:
1. How can I prevent myself from coming down with influenza?
Getting the flu vaccine is the best method to keep yourself safe in the flu season. However, you must consult a doctor to see if you are eligible for the vaccine. (People allergic to the vaccine, allergic to eggs, children under 6 months of age, those exhibiting flu symptoms and people who have had the Guillain-Barre syndrome are not eligible for flu shots).
Similarly, there are nasal spray vaccines also available. Consult with your doctor to check on your eligibility for the nasal spray vaccine.
However, there are other effective ways to prevent yourself from getting sick with flu, such as keeping good hygiene practices:
• Washing hands frequently with soap or alcohol based hand sanitizers
• Not touching eyes, mouth or nose after touching potentially infected surfaces
• Keeping your mouth and nose covered with a mask when near an infected person or place
Other methods include:
• Avoiding contact with those infected or long exposures to public places
• Staying home if you have the flu symptoms so that you do not infect others
• Minimizing smoking
• Using disinfectant solutions to mop the floors at home
• Eating healthy foods and especially increasing the intake of vitamin C
• Exercising regularly
• Sleeping adequate number of hours
• Drinking plenty of fluids
2. Are there any alternative medicines I can use at home to help me get relief?
There is a wide range of alternative therapies that address flu prevention, treatment and relief. Consult your doctor before trying them. Mainstream medicine is still in stages of testing the efficacy, safety and claims of these therapies and prescriptions. Relief is offered by aromatherapy, Ayurveda, acupressure, reflexology, hydrotherapy, herbal preparations, Chinese medicine, nutrition and naturopathy. To try them, you can look up a local licensed practitioner of the field. You may also read up some material on the web such as http://www.holisticonline.com/remedies/flu/default.htm, http://nccam.nih.gov/health/flu/ataglance.htm to see if the therapy will suit you and your lifestyle.
3. What complications may occur?
• The most serious complication of influenza for the aged can be that of pneumonia as it can develop as soon as within a week of exhibition of influenza symptoms. Derived pneumonia of this type could be viral (influenza virus affecting lungs) or bacterial (such as from Pneumococci or Staphyloccocus). Anyone with a weakened immunity can develop pneumonia from influenza.
• Inflammations of the central nervous system and fluid accumulation around the brain may also occur especially in children. These cases are of meningitis and encephalitis.
• Other complications could be those of sinusitis, croup and ear infections
• Lower respiratory tract conditions such as chronic bronchitis, asthma and cystic fibrosis may start as well complicating the influenza
• Bronchiolitis in children under 2 years of age.
• Both myocarditis and pericarditis may occur. There could be instances of cardiac arrhythmia.
• Inflammation of skeletal muscles in children occurs in a few children infected with influenza B.
• Another complication that arises from infection with Influenza B is Reyes syndrome, a rare condition of the liver in children on aspirin therapy.
4. Am I a part of the risk group for influenza since I come down with the flu every season?
You are a risk group for influenza if:
• You are over 65 years of age
• You live in an old-age home
• You have a heart condition
• You work with infected influenza patient
• You are a health care provider
• You suffer from a lung disease
• You have a damaged liver or kidney
• You take immunosuppressants or have a weak immune system
• You have diabetes mellitus or blood diseases
• You are pregnant
ALL INFORMATION GIVEN IN THIS ADVOCACY SHEET IS TO BE CHECKED WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE IMPLEMENTING THEM OR TAKING THEM AS STANDARD OR VERIFIED.
Mamta Singh is a published author of the books Migraines for the Informed Woman (Publisher: Rupa & Co.) and the upcoming Rev Up Your Life! (Publisher: Hay House India). She is also a seasoned business, creative and academic writer. She is a certified fitness instructor, personal trainer & sports nutritionist through IFA, Florida USA. Mamta is an NCFE-certified Holistic Health Therapist SAC Dip U.K. She is the lead writer and holds Expert Author status in many well-received health, fitness and nutrition sites. She runs her own popular blogs on migraines in women and holistic health. Mamta holds a double Master's Degree in Commerce and Business. She is a registered practitioner with the UN recognised Art of Living Foundation. Link: http://www.migrainingjenny.wordpress.com and http://www.footstrike.wordpress.com