Cold And Flu Season

[Katester]

So cold and flu season is coming. Ugh! What do you do to prepare yourself for this germy time of year? What do you do if you feel a cold coming on? I definitely have that feeling right now. Anything that would help? Thanks in advance!

[Mother of Jibril]

Have you ever tried Emergen-C? It won't get rid of a cold, but it might give your immune system a boost so you can fight it off quicker. I've also taken Vitamin C tablets with rose hips.

I usually get at least two or three colds every year... I'm hoping my immune system will work better now that it's not being overwhelmed with dairy, gluten, and corn proteins

[jerseyangel]

Sounds simple, but to help prevent colds--wash your hands often. It's the first thing I do after coming in the house after being out in public. Keeping your hands away from your face also helps, as does eating well, doing your best to avoid stress, and getting plenty of sleep.

Using a Neti Pot is wonderful, especially this time of year when the air is drier. It acts to moisturize the nasal passages and flush out excess mucus or bacteria. Colds are viruses, but keeping the nasal passages healthy goes a long way to help your immune system do what it needs to do.

If a cold does sneak past these measures , I find things like hot tea with honey, chicken soup, gargling with warm salt water, and plenty of rest help. About the only meds I use for a cold are Tylenol if I'm really achy, and Robitussin Honey Lemon Cough Drops.

[Fiddle-Faddle]

Wash hands often, eat natural foods with vitamin C (I like clementines), as that is better than any pill or medicine, and walk OUTSIDE for 45 minutes a day (even if it's raining or snowing, but not if the sidewalk is iced over).

The vitamin D we get from the sun (and you get it even when it's cloudy) is vitally important for fighting off viruses.

I also avoid the flu shot, as the only 2 times I have ever gotten the flu were immediately after getting the flu shot (and those were the only times I ever got the flu shot, too).

[MaryJones2]

I also avoid the flu shot, as the only 2 times I have ever gotten the flu were immediately after getting the flu shot (and those were the only times I ever got the flu shot, too).

Me too. Two times just like you. I rely on vitamin c, zinc and exercise. I also second jerseyangels recommendation of a neti pot and honey lemon tea. My husband swears by massive doses of vitamin c.

[purple]

Take echinacea at the first sign, it boosts your immune system and lessens the symptoms and the duration. Take as directed for at least a couple of weeks. Also boost your vit C. And no dairy (clogs your head up)or sugar(slows the immune system). OTC's prolong your cold. The body has to fight off the synthetic med's instead of the germs. Also I read not to touch your eyes nor your ears. Germs enter the body that way.

[ShayFL]

I wash my hands a lot and I have trained myself not to touch my face except at night when I am washing up. If I have a nose itch, I get a tissue or just rub the outside with the back of my hand. Ditto for the eyes. Just rub with the back of my hand if need be.

The rare times I fell a little tingle, I drink some Emergen-C, then I start spraying colloidal silver up my nose and put 2 drops of Oregano oil under my tongue. I do this 3 times a day for 2 - 3 days. Only 1x daily with the Emergen C though or it gives D. I never get sick this way.

[Fiddle-Faddle]

The rare times I fell a little tingle, I drink some Emergen-C, then I start spraying colloidal silver up my nose

What's the deal with colloidal silver? Are we supposed to have colloidal silver in our bodies?

Vitamin C and oregano oil I can understand, though I would think eating them in their natural state would be preferable to a "nutriceutical." But colloidal silver?

[Katester]

What foods would you suggest eating with the flu? I definitely have something right now and I have no idea what to do. Emergen-C and echinacea? I'll do anything to feel better! I absolutely HATE being sick. I'm achy, have a fever, sore throat, feeling freezing and really sweaty-symptoms like that. Any ideas of how to kick this out of my as quickly as possible and what I should eat?

[Jestgar]

Fluids. Chicken soup. citrus for vit C. Echinacea.

[Fiddle-Faddle]

Egg drop soup--add garlic, ginger, and sliced green onions to chicken broth, heat to boiling, and slowly whisk in a thin stream of egg beaten together with a little rice wine or mirin.

Drink orange juice, hot lemonade, hot ginger tea.

I'm not sure echinacea is a good idea for celiacs, as our immune systems tend to attack US--it might not be the greatest idea to make those reactions stronger.

[Jestgar]

Egg drop soup--add garlic, ginger, and sliced green onions to chicken broth, heat to boiling, and slowly whisk in a thin stream of egg beaten together with a little rice wine or mirin.

Drink orange juice, hot lemonade, hot ginger tea.

I'm not sure echinacea is a good idea for celiacs, as our immune systems tend to attack US--it might not be the greatest idea to make those reactions stronger.

And yet, you want your immune system to fight off the cold...

[Fiddle-Faddle]

I guess it depends on the person's immune system.

I suppose if you tend to have colds that hang on for months, your immune system is not functioning properly and does need help.

On the other hand, if you feel reasonably healthy by the 3rd day of a cold (you can go around your normal routine, you just have to blow your nose here and there), then I'd say your immune system did its job and didn't need any help.

Garlic, ginger, and onion are natural anti-virals--but I don't think they strengthen the immune system's attack on oneself.

Kids with autism--who tend to have a very high rate of celiac--tend to not get the little colds and viruses. The theory is that their immune systems are in hyperdrive. Adding echinacea to that doesn't sound like a good idea to me.

My philosophy comes from Mom and Grandma--drink soup and juices, and pee those germs down the toilet and flush'em away!!!!

[SGWhiskers]

One of our body's natural means of fighting infections is to raise the body temperature to one that is less hospitable to the germs. That fever just makes us feel crappy. If you are able to sleep and stay hydrated, your body may be able to fight off the infection sooner. If you need to go to work and function as a normal human, you may want to take cold medicine for a few days to feel reasonable. Acetaminaphrin (Tylenol) and other fever reducers help us feel better, in part, by lowering our temperatures back to one with which we are comfortable. The germs can breed better at our normal body temperature, so the cold might last a little longer, but you feel more comfortable while taking the cold medicine. High fevers are not good for the brain. You can search the web for the cut off, but I think the adult's is around 101.

The Vitamins people recommended help the immune system. Pre-diagnosis of Celiac, I used Zicam nasal gel and had good success if I caught the cold early. It is nasal Zinc. Also, if it really is the flu, there is an antiviral med the doctor can give you to fight the flu. I forget the name and don't know if it is gluten-free.

I hope you feel better quickly. Do yourself a favor, and cancel your weekend plans so you can sleep and drink chicken and rice soup. Or, invite mom or sister over and have her bring the ingredients for soup and a couple comedies or chick flicks. Cook your soup then fall asleep while you watch the movie with them.

Get well,

SGWHISKERS

[JNBunnie1]

Garlic, ginger, onions, ZINC. Zinc drops are best, they attack the virus in your throat where it lives, high dose pills canupset your stomach. Homemade lemonade, not storebought: Hot water, ginger root, lemon juice, honey. Remember germs love sugar, so the more sugar you eat or drink, the harder it will be to fight it. I take hyssop tincture to fight colds and eyebright for when I'm really stuffy, helps clear the stuff out. Neti pot is good for soothing and clearing sinuses.