There is a large fear that comes with a growing viral epidemic like we are experiencing right now with the swine flu. Gather your information from reputable sources. You can not get this flu from eating pork and it is transmitting like any other flu virus. Flu viruses are spread through respiratory droplets and can be highly contagious if you are in close proximity with someone who is ill. Please remain calm and do not get worried or stressed about this epidemic as stress can decrease your resistance to infection.

There is no need to immediately seek the anti-viral medications on the market such as Tamiflu because there are many ways to make your body stronger and increase your resistance to viral infections including the swine flu.

Here are a few important tips:

  1. Make sure to wash your hands often.
  2. Avoid eating out.
  3. Avoid sugar, nuts, corn, and chocolate as they can help to fuel viruses in the body and sugar depresses immune function.
  4. Avoid dairy and white flour and all pastries as they may increase inflammation and damper your optimal immune system functioning.
  5. Increase water intake and limit other beverages.
  6. Take an acidophilus supplement.
  7. Take Vitamin A at least 10,000 IU per day.
  8. Take a mushroom supplement such as Reishi mushroom or Shitake mushroom because this will help increase your body’s response to viruses.
  9. Taking astragulus supplements or tinctures also will be helpful in strengthening your immune response.
  10. Echinacea can also be helpful at boosting your immune system’s response to invading infections.
  11. Make sure to keep a consistent exercise program and if you don't do exercise currently, begin making sure you have some form of movement in daily such as walking, dancing, yoga, stretching, hula hooping, walking stairs, etc…
  12. Make sure to get proper sleep and make sure your children are getting their needed sleep. Go to bed early and wake early and avoid late nights or missed naps in children.
  13. Deep breathing and stress relief is extremely important in keeping your body safe from viruses and keeping your immune system strong.
  14. Make sure you and your children are not sharing cups, utensils, etc… This is particularly important to teach to your school aged children.  
  15. If you begin experiencing flu-like symptoms, please seek medical attention and refrain as much as possible from exposing yourself to others.