Here's an interesting article recommended by one of our readers (Kathy):
"First the bad news: This year's news that flu shot shortage has left millions of Americans in the cold looking for ways to dodge the illness.
The good news is that for many of us, there are available alternatives to standing in long lines or paying exorbitant prices to get the flu shot, such as good hygiene or antiviral medications."
It's not a good idea to use anti-bacterial soaps or detergents too often. The germs become immune to them. It's sort of the same principle when a doctor gives prescriptions for a cold - it doesn't kill the germ (there is no cure for the common cold). What it does do is contribute to the formation of Superbugs - which there is no cure.
At a recent lecture, a doctor recommended washing with plain soap and water.
My local grocery store provides the antibacterial handiwipes in a dispenser right as you pick up a shopping cart outside. You just pop one out and use it to wipe down the handle of the cart and carry it around with you as you shop. What a great idea! And THANK YOU to the management of the store who provides this for their customers! Maybe you can suggest it to your store manager??
Don't forget the hand sanitizer when you are at work or somewhere with no soap and water. I slip a bottle in my purse or pocket and have one on my desk at work. Great to use before lunch or a snack!!
While we are dispelling the myths I'd like to add that milky drinks do not affect/increase mucus production, (in the research I've read on children anyway). I'm sorry I can't add a reference for that - forgotten where I read it but it was in a medical text.
'Good hygiene' is a very good point. In my childhood there was a saying, 'Coughs and sneezes spread diseases'. In the case of the common cold research has shown it is spread by contact not coughing and sneezing, (airborne), so good hygiene, especially regular and thorough handwashing is an excellent idea.
Very interesting article, with many valid points, but left out two salient points.
1. Virus' are not in the same class as bacteria. Use of the many anti-bacterial products on the current market are less then effective against a virus. Good old fashioned hot water and soap actually do better, as does alcohol and bleach (for non-porous surfaces like cleaning the bathroom).
2. The common virus grows best in the normal human temperature range of 98.6 f. plus/minus 2 degrees (I have read) therefore one of your best defenses once you have caught the disease is to understand that you must allow your body to fight it naturally. Normal fever is good so only use fever reducers (anti-inflamitory medications, alcohol rubs, cooling baths) if the fever becomes dangeroursly high.
Help your body fight the virus by dressing warmly, drinking hot non-milky drinks (milk drinks may cause phlegm increase) such as tea, etc (my mother swore by warm lemon drinks), eat simple hot and easy to digest meals. Some cultures add heat producing foods such as chilis to the diet during this time and some doctors claim that foods heavy in onion and garlic are beneficial also. I use them all.
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