What shoukd I do to prevent the flu?

[thatonenerdgirl]

I accidentally drank from a coworker’s beverage today. She was sock with the flu and strep about one week ago and just finished her last dose of meds yesterday. She said that her dotor apparently told her that she would no longer be contagious 48 hrs after starting the meds. I don’t trust this..she still has a residual cough and hoarsness but she was no longer sick when I took a drink from her beverage..however I still want to be cautious. What can I do to protect myself? I took some Emergen-C and purchased an Elderberry Syrup. What else can I do to ensure I have a low chance of becoming ill?

[Zalooga]

Well, this one is easy. I have successfully avoided the flu and cold for 4 years now, not once getting a cough or the invigorating cascades of snot. My response is a little late BUT, if you do this one thing, you'll never need flu meds again.

Lemon Water! Yeah i know, the solution is deceptively simple and outrageously cheap but i boil water let it cool down a bit add in some lemon (don't be stingy with the lemon), it doesn't have to be too sour, i have mine as is but you can throw some honey in there.

When do i do this?
This is a preventative measure, haven't bothered letting myself get the flu so i can test out the effectiveness whilst i'm on the brink of death. So, i used take some just as the early flu and cold symptoms came about.

I have however opted to have lemon water at least once a week making sure to have some when i have been in contact with someone already plagued by the cold or flu.

Before you know know it, winters will come and go leaving you wondering,  "what could possibly be missing?". I know i don't miss it much. Cheers

[specialmom]

Great tip.  So, how much and how often do you drink it?  You swear by this?  I will give it a try!!  do you ge the flu vaccine or anything??  Anyway, thanks for sharing this great tip!

[Zalooga]

I do swear by this and wouldn't offer it up for laughs, i only wish i knew about it earlier, way back in my school days. As for how often i take this i try to have a glass at least once a week in winter then loosen up how many times i drink this in the summer but this has also worked for me just by drinking a glass at the ONSET of flu like symptoms. (I hate being sick, so whenever i have had a bit of a sore throat cold or not, i had a glass.)

I usually have a full glass of warm water with a quarter of a medium sized lemon squeezed in. The one i had this morning was particularly delicious with nothing else added in.

And no, i have never had a flu vaccine but it might be worth noting that i am vegetarian but this remedy also works on my mum who still enjoys her meaty diet.

Do let me know how you get on.

[specialmom]

Awesome.  I love that you shared this.  I've heard that warm water with lemon is actually good for you but didn't know about a healing property. This is great because it is something anyone can try!  I hope you share more with people --  tips and experience like this.  That's also great you are vegetarian. That's a hard thing for me even if I don't eat much meat.  It's all the other 'stuff' that goes along with vegan diets that i'd struggle with.  How do you get your protein.  Maybe we should start a new thread. ha.  There is a general health forum and you can start a thread or I will on your ideas about a vegan diet!!!

[Zalooga]

Thank you for your response i'm glad i've given you something hugely useful. To add to what you said, most of the healing power lemons have comes from its alkalizing effect, or at least i'd like to believe. More can be said about this but i wouldn't want to ruin someone's day with pages of information.

I don't think i have enough tips or experience being vegetarian to start an actual thread, but thanks for the thought. If you are serious about getting a vegetarian thing going, i'm i can give you a few tips to get started... Also note that being Vegetarian and being Vegan are two different things. Thanks again.

[AnxiousNoMore]

There is nothing wrong with drinking lemon but I doubt it has any effect on flu prevention, unless this is your only lifetime source of Vitamin C - but there isn't any conclusive evidence that C has any effect on flu or colds anyway.
I used to get flu that lasted for weeks, then for 6 years got a job where I worked indoors for massive hours each week because I was paid hourly. Indoors is a great flu breeding ground due to all the sick people who come to work. Due to coincidence those 6 years were pretty much flu free though, but afterwards I have reverted back to getting flu misery every year a few times.
I met a person who exercised heavily every day, and said they had lived a lifetime of not being sick  although on certain days she claimed that she could tell something was wrong because she wasn't able to work out as hard, however she did her routine anyway.
So my guess is you have had a long streak of good luck but like me it will run out and you will get sick again. That is why I take the flu shot every year on the first day that it is available, and all my readings indicate that is the only prevention that is proven.

[ccm12345]

Interesting..... Are there any medical explanations?

[specialmom]

Schools have rules regarding once a child has taken an antibiotic.  You can send kids back to school after a full day of antibiotics.  So, it's that quick.  Basically, a sinus infection is not contagious. That's an infection of bacteria that is inside her sinuses.  And it's really common to get a secondary infection after the flu virus.  FLU is very contagious---  you normally get it from touching things.  Yes, drinking after her cup would transmit it, however, she was probably past the contagious stage.  I doubt you'll get ill.  good luck