Influenza

Influenza, or "flu," is a common infection caused by a virus affecting the respiratory tract (like the nose and upper airways). Its symptoms are usually more severe than the common cold and are more likely to affect other parts

of your body like your stomach and muscles. The flu is very contagious - spreading easily from one person to the next. While most cases run their course in one to two weeks, life-threatening complications such as pneumonia are possible, especially in the elderly or people with chronic illnesses.

Signs and Symptoms

• Fever that comes on suddenly (101 to 104 F)
• Chills
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Fatigue
• Nonproductive cough
• Sore throat
• Sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, especially in children

Causes

Influenza is caused by viruses that are spread through the air by sneezes and coughs. Some of these viruses cause a very mild illness, or none at all. Others cause serious, widespread illness.

Risk Factors

People most likely to get influenza are those whose immune systems are not working properly (for example, transplant recipients or people with HIV), or those whose lifestyle or work brings them into frequent contact with sick people (like health care workers).

The following put you at greatest risk for complications from influenza:

• Age over 50
• Having a serious underlying medical condition like diabetes, heart disease, lung disease (such as asthma

or cystic fibrosis), or kidney disease

• Having a weakened immune system

Diagnosis

Your health care provider will probably be able to diagnose your case of flu from a physical examination and a description of your symptoms. He or she may take a chest X ray if there is concern about complications such

as pneumonia.

Lifestyle

• Drink a lot of water
• Rest to restore your energy and avoid complications like pneumonia.
• Eat a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables. These foods provide lots of antioxidants (substances that may help boost your immune system), especially vitamins A and C.
• Exercise regularly, which may diminish your chances of getting the flu.
• Minimize your stress and your reaction to stress. Consider yoga, tai chi, or other forms of relaxation on an ongoing basis. Stress can put you at increased risk for viruses like influenza.

Suggested Nutritional Supplementation

• Flu Terminator - Ten drops several times daily

Broad Spectrum homeopathic remedy for influenza

• Andrographis Plus® - 2 tablets every two hours for 12 hours with unchilled water. Then take 1 tablet 3

times daily between meals for five days.

Andrographis Plus combines a proprietary blend of Ayurvedic and Asian herbs designed to promote healthy immune function.

• ImmuCoreTM - 3 tablets daily

ImmuCore is designed to provide a multiple mechanistic approach to support healthy immune system function through enhancing activities of macrophages, natural killer cells, and T cell subsets.

• NAC-600 - 1 tablet 2 to 3 times daily
• Ultra Flora Plus® DF Capsules - 2 capsuls 3 times daily

Ultra Flora Plus DF Capsules is a is a non-dairy probiotic formula that provides highly viable, pure strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus (NCFM® strain) and Bifidobacterium lactis along with supportive factors.

• Florastor® - 2 capsules twice daily.