Fighting off the Flu
With the winter season fast approaching, finding ways to fight off the flu is essential. While there is no way to completely safeguard yourself, there are ways to minimise your risk and reduce the potentially serious complications associated with the flu. These actions can also help you bounce back faster from the illness.
What is the flu?
The flu (influenza) is a respiratory infection of the nose, throat, and lungs that is caused by a group of viruses known as the influenza viruses. It is extremely contagious, and spreads through contact with an infected surface or in the air droplets released when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These are some helpful tips to protect you from the flu this season.
- An apple a day, keeps the doctor away
As the saying goes, “You are what you eat.” So, this winter, ensure that you stay healthy by eating healthy. Add wholesome and nutritious products to your diet to promote immunity. Throughout the day your meals should consist of a healthy balance of fruits, vegetables, and protein. Various studies, including a recent study in Circulation, confirmed that five servings of fruit or vegetables a day can, in fact, keep the doctor away by improving your overall health. Fruits and vegetables are high in several important nutrients and vitamins, and they are an excellent source of dietary fibre. Drinking enough fluids is also essential to maintaining good health. Research recommends drinking approximately 2litres or eight glasses of fluids, including water, every day. Consuming the right food and amount of fluids can help boost your immunity and fend off the common flu.
- Good hygiene practices
Maintaining good hygiene practices like handwashing or sanitising can go a long way towards fighting off the flu. Make it a habit to wash or sanitise your hands before eating or touching any food items. Also avoid touching your face throughout the day as this can also prevent you from picking up any germs from the surfaces around you.
- Taking the flu vaccine
Ensuring that you take the flu vaccine released just before winter every year is your biggest chance at preventing the flu and any serious flu-related complications. Flu vaccines are specially formulated to protect against the four major strains of the influenza viruses that are predicted to be most common during the upcoming season and are usually administered through an injection directly into the arm. Adults and children from six-months-old can choose to take the vaccine. However, there are certain groups of people for which the flu vaccine is highly recommended to prevent them from developing serious flu-related complications. According to the World Health Organisation, the group of people that are at high risk of developing complications from the flu, includes:
- Adults over the age of 65
- People with chronic medical conditions like diabetes, heart disease, asthma or hypertension
- Children younger than five-years-old
Managing the flu
The flu can have varying degrees of severity, but most people will recover on their own. As the infection is caused by a virus, antibiotics will not treat this infection, but there are treatments to help manage the cause and symptoms of the flu, like Sinupret. Sinupret is an all-in-one treatment for the flu. It effectively addresses both the cause and symptoms of the flu by being anti-viral, anti-bacterial anti-inflammatory and secretolytic. Sinupret's anti-viral activity also works at a cellular level preventing viral replication, helping you get better faster.
To find out more about Sinupret, visit https://www.sinupret.co.za/
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