What to Do about the Flu

You may have noticed that peak flu season tends to occur during and immediately after the holidays. During the holidays we tax our immune systems by rushing around and eating more and eating poorly. We also consume more alcohol, sleep less and spend more time indoors. This is the perfect feeding ground for the flu virus. When the virus is able to pass from person to person, it gathers strength and mutates so that conventional medicines become ineffective. As you know, antibiotics are only effective (when they are effective) against bacterial infections. The flu is always of a viral nature. Regretfully, some patients still demand that their physicians prescribe antibiotics for their flu symptoms. At this point the antibiotics become part of the problem not the solution, as they destroy what good intestinal bacteria are left that protect our immune systems and leave it further vulnerable to attacks. Yes, 60% and more of our immune resources are, in fact, in our intestine. (See also Bowel Healing Program.)

Consequently, the best medicine for the flu is, quite literally, Prevention. If one adheres to all of the following basic prevention rules, one can avoid the incoming flu that promises to be particularly virulent this year. Once one has contracted the flu, there are still some things that you can do, and they are outlined under Early Symptoms and Advanced Symptoms.