Friday, October 16, 2009

Protect Your Family With an Alternative Treatment for Swine Flu

By Dan Donaldson

Different strains of influenza have been around for many years, but this strain seems to have worried people more than others. For this reason, more people are looking for an alternative treatment for swine flu.

The symptoms of swine flu are similar to other influenza viruses. These include sore throat, fever, stuffy and/or runny nose, cough, body aches and pains, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, chills and general fatigue. Although you may not experience all these symptoms, you do feel miserable and usually cannot continue to function normally.

There are groups of people who are more at risk of both developing swine flu and experiencing complications from it. These groups include pregnant women, small babies and children, elderly people and those who have chronic medical conditions. For the most part, the patients who have died from swine flu have been in one of these groups.

Swine flu is a virus, and as such, cannot be cured. Treatment is aimed at relieving the effects of the symptoms and preventing complications from developing. The H1N1 vaccine has been widely criticized worldwide, and many people are rejecting it in favor of alternative treatments. However, if you are in one of the risk groups, it is important that you ask your health professional about the best course of action.

To help you stay resistant to the swine flu, there are several sensible actions you can take. Try to stay away from crowded areas like subways and buses; keep clear of people who are coughing and sneezing; cover your own mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze and teach your children to do the same.

The best protection is being healthy and having a strong immune system. Exercise will help you resist viruses, so make sure you get some form of physical activity every day. What you eat determines how healthy you are, so focus on good nutrition with fruit, vegetables, lean protein and whole grains being part of every meal. Because viruses seem to attack the gut first, good intestinal health is important; eat plenty of dietary fiber, and include probiotics in your daily diet, either with yogurt or capsules that have live probiotics. Colostrum is an excellent food supplement for a healthy gut and immune system; take it daily as a powdered drink or capsule.

If you do contract the flu, whether it is swine flu or one of the other strains, it is important to rest and allow your body to fight the virus. Rest in bed or in a chair, keep warm and dress comfortably. Keep hydrated with plenty of fluids to help flush toxins from the liver and the blood; water with lemon juice is refreshing and nourishing. Liquids are more easily digested than solid food, so have soups, herbal tea and freshly made juices. Vitamin C and Echinacea help the body fight the virus, so take these daily. For congestion, eucalyptus is great for both the nose and chest. - 14130

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