FLU SEASON

[dmitchn1]

Why is the flu season so bad this year I've never see so many people sick all at once especially since a lot of people have been getting the flu shot  :-

[dwggs]

Don't know why it is so bad but I got the shortened verison of the flu & it was bad .... can't even imagine how bad the the full version is

[Nancy5]

I don't know, but the last 2 years were mild so I guess we were in store for a bad one this year.

[bigfoot951]

I don't know if it is just a difference in where we live but flu season hasn't been bad this year where I live.  I hope I didn't jinx things....

[BATISTAGIRL663]

man everyone i know has had the nasty flu this year--my daughter has had it twice!! wonder if it is because we haven't had cold enough weather to kill the bacteria in the air ?? just a thought

[minkatrozic]

Yes I agree we didn't have enough of a cold weather to kill the germs.We should have some strong winter already. It is not that I like the cold but it seems necessary to maintain healthy environment. By the way a lot of people complain about the flu shot. I wonder myself how much does it really help if any?

[devilroljin]

I guess it might have to do with weather, this winter is a little colder than previous years and summer wasn't as hot as it was in previous years. It could also be that most people's bodies where just due, maybe they hadn't been sick for a while and they just weren't ready. I guess if I was taking multivitamins and helping my body even more, than I could have avoided it, but since I didn't, I fell prey of it a couple of days ago, and thankfully, I got a mild version too and I seem to be getting over it pretty fast. I didn't get the chills or fevers or body aches, just the runny nose and some mild sneezing. Maybe it wasn't the flu, just a common cold, but I'm taking airborne just in case flu is coming :O 

[kapeh12]

There are several factors that contribute to periodic outbreaks like this year.  First is people's belief that getting the flu shot is a full-proof way to avoid catching the flu.  In reality, the shot contains a "best guess" as to which flu strains will emerge as the dominant strains for the season.  There are hundred/thousands of flu virus variations, and the flu shot covers only a handful.  Some years, the scientists just guess wrong and an outbreak occurs - despite people getting the shot.

In my opinion, the real reason we see such outbreaks are due to a couple basic reasons - 1) people just don't take care of their health leaving them susceptible to the virus, 2) when people contract a virus rather than staying home to get well, they continue to go out in public which only serves to spread the virus.

The best way to keep yourself from getting the flu (or any similar illness, including the common cold) is to simply keep yourself hydrated (viruses cannot thrive in a "moist" environment), get proper rest/sleep, eat a good variety of fruits and vegetables (vitamins supplements alone are not enough), exercise to keep your lymphatic system flushed (only movement will release the toxins stored in your lymph nodes), and washing your hands before eating or touching your face (especially if you think you've come into contact with a virus).

If you've contracted a virus, do not go back to work or send your kid to school.  That will just spread the disease to others making it worse.  Keep them home, keep them as warm as possible (raising body temperature is one of the best ways to kill off a virus as long as the body temperature doesn't get too high), give them as much fluids (particularly water) as they can take.  Only give them medication if they are having trouble breathing or are too achy to sleep - just the minimum amount.

One mistake people often make is when someone has a fever is to immediately take some medication to get rid of the fever.  A fever is your body's natural mechanism for killing the virus and breaking a fever too soon only prolongs the illness.  You should monitor the fever to make sure it doesn't raise too high (if it's up to 3 degrees above "normal"), just let it run its course.  Taking juices or vitamin supplements during the illness really has no impact on the illness - that's just marketing.  Plain water does the same trick - it's providing fluids to rehydrate the body and flush out the contaminates.

Just like how Mr. Miyagi in the Karate Kid said the best way to not get hit is "no be there", the best way to not suffer fighting the flu is to not let yourself get sick in the first place.  If one drinks water, eats fruits/veggies, exercises, sleeps enough all the time - the chances of you getting sick will decrease rapidly - with or without the flu shot.

[jwallbank]

Two of my family members already has come down with the flu this year. It is a kick A** one this year also. I am lucky (knock wood) that I have not gotten it this year (yet). My dog even came down with it.

[6265AT99]

Why is the flu season so bad this year I've never see so many people sick all at once especially since a lot of people have been getting the flu shot  :-

Maybe because your gov't is trying to "control" the population!!!

[king4cash]

I don't know why it seems to be very high, or is that they are doing more reporting than they used to. This makes people a little more anxious than before.

[dcrotteau]

My boyfriend got the flu and it was pretty bad, but I haven't gotten it.  Thank God.  I've gotten flu shots for the last 5 years, but not yet this year.  I'll probably go in next week.

[masked_brown_guy]

take echinacea and zinc through out the year to build at least some kind of immunity.

[angela100]

The best way to combat the flu is to eat a balanced diet, drink plenty of water, exercise, and get plenty of sleep.  Most importantly is to wash your hands frequently.  I believe the population is under a lot of stress.  People are afraid to stay home if ill because they might lose their jobs.  Unemployment is still high and those who are working are living from pay check to paycheck.