'Tis the season for flu! Check out these remedies

Is it the flu or just a cold? Whatever it is, it's bad this year.  The good news is:
If you got the flu shot even if you got infected by a different strain you have a better chance of not becoming too sick. I get mine in the fall every year.

People that don't take the flu shot have all kinds of theories about why they don't need or want it and I respect that. When you get sick please come in early.... for your sake.

One thing is for sure, it is a really bad season this year.
Now, we knew this was going to happen in the fall, for one thing Australia had a bad flu season. They get the same vaccine as us and their season precedes ours. So from the Aussie experience we knew that this year's was a very severe strain of flu and the vaccine didn't have full coverage for it. Some people use this as a reason not to get the flu shot...don't.
In my experience this year, one symptom stands out as almost pathognomonic of the flu (meaning it can differentiate the flu from a 'cold') and that is body aches. I find patients may have no other symptom but body aches and I quickly start them on treatment. One lady told me she just hurt all over. Another one said the muscles of her eyes hurt.
Be seen as soon as possible. In the meantime:

What can you do at home?

1. Steam: Inhale steam with your mouth wide open. This can moisturize your airways and kill the virus in your airways. This will decrease the total viral load. Sauna and Steam showers are good too.
2. Take an anti-inflammatory with food as needed. This will cut down fever, body aches and make you more comfortable
3. Try the OTC homeopathic remedies while you are waiting for your appointment.
4. Viral Mix
5. Air Defense two capsules three times a day
6. Mucinex DM
7. Benedryl to sleep
8. Start the prescription medication as soon as possible
9. Lots of fluids, nothing colder than room temperature and finally:
10. Chicken soup :)

DO NOT:
Take Theraflu if you have high blood pressure or glaucoma
Take Nyquil
Take Aspirin products

Prevention of the flu:

Flu shot
Air Defense: one daily
Vitamin C 2000 mg daily
Hand sanitizer
Hand washing
Cough into your elbow and teach your kids to do so
Stay home!

Please share this blog and let's slow down the epidemic.