Flu Season

Flu season has hit our house.  We all got the flu vaccine this year - but have been exposed to one of the majority of flu viruses not covered by this year's vaccine.  One daughter confirmed with the flu, another highly suspected with the flu.  We took our girls to the pediatrician early enough to acquire Tamiflu, in my experience an amazing conventional treatment, for the girls.  However, as Ingrid and I are not symptomatic (yet), we are anxiously awaiting our own fates.

When it comes to contracting illness, Ingrid has a pretty good history of not contracting illness.  I have a miserable history - it's virtually guaranteed that I'll contract any illness in close proximity.  I had not done any research on alternative therapies for acute illnesses until late last night while frantically looking for a credible alternative therapy that might help fend off, reduce the duration, or reduce the intensity of any oncoming flu.

The flu, just like the common cold, is a virus (though they are different viruses) and prevention and treatment of each is generically (though not always specifically) interchangeable.  It is highly contagious and spread through contact with infected bodily fluids.  The virus spreads rapidly throughout the body and, aside from specific antiviral medication (like Tamiflu), is only eradicated by your body's immune system.  The video below shows how the flu spreads in your body.



There are a lot of alternative therapies touted on the internet to help prevent or treat the flu (many of them unsubstantiated as far as my research showed).  A common thread between some of the more plausible therapies was their purported role in boosting the body's immune system to quickly deal with any invading virus.  Under this generic guideline, my immediate reaction was to start a regimen of Turmeric Tea (not proven but highly suspected to boost immune function and/or kill viruses).    After consulting a number of the resources that I use to spearhead my own research into alternative therapies, I also ran out to the store to grab some Echinacea.  Echinacea is approved for use by Germany's Commission E (The equivalent to the US Food & Drug Administration) for treating upper respiratory infections (URIs) - though the literature I've read makes distinctions between specific plant parts and species and recommended dosages.  More to come on Echinacea in a separate blog post - but for my immediate purposes, I decided there was enough evidence in support of echinacea to make the purchase (for an in depth look, click here to read the American Botanic Council's clinical guide to echinacea).

Since Adelaide got ill, I've been coughed on (in the face), snotted on, handled dirty clothes, tissues, and blankets, and spent significant time comforting in extremely close proximity.  Although by no means scientific, if I don't get the flu I'll consider my efforts with turmeric and echinacea a likely contributing factor.  We'll know shortly...  

For more on the flu, click here to read what the CDC has to say.