 | Dr. George R. Watson, D.O. is certified in Preventive Health, Occupational Medicine, Bariatric Medicine, and is the first physician in Kansas to be a Diplomate of the American Board of Anti-Aging Medicine. Dr. Watson has served in the Air Force as a Weapons Systems Officer, Electronic Warfare Officer, and Flight Surgeon. Dr. Watson is located in the Park City Medical Center, 425 E. 61st St. North. #2 and can be reached at 316-744-3400 |
Health & Medicine
2006-12-01 09:28:00
Surviving the flu season
QUESTION: What other preventive things can I do?
ANSWER: Good nutrition is the foundation for good health. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Soak them ten to fifteen minutes in water with vinegar to remove toxins and pathogens (bacteria and viruses). If you wonder if you are getting enough, then you probably need to supplement with a high quality anti-oxidant formula. Minimize processed foods.
Next, assess your environment. How many people around you are coughing and sneezing? Be sure to wash your hands after handling money or anything they have touched, before you handle any food. If you are the one coughing, do your best not to handle anything that others will have to touch.
QUESTION: What is cough etiquette?
ANSWER: Cough etiquette is covering the mouth and nose with a tissue or mask to prevent droplets from being sprayed into the air. It is also important to wash your hands after disposing of the tissue. The other aspect of cough etiquette is to isolate yourself from others if you have a persistent, productive cough. Don't expose them unnecessarily to your affliction.
QUESTION: What if, despite my best efforts, I contract the flu?
ANSWER: Stay home, unless you are going out to seek medical care. Add ¼ cup of hydrogen peroxide to distilled water in a cool mist vaporizer running in the room when you sleep. Gargle with half peroxide, half distilled water severa
ANSWER: You might say that a good stern lecture from Grandma or a review of social graces by Miss Manners would be a good foundation for PREVENTING unnecessary illnesses. Since many of us will be at family gatherings, we need to remember to practice our best manners both for the benefit of ourselves and others. First, picture the spread of food. If you are one of those people who licks every spill of food off your fingers, STOP! Everything you touch from then on has your bacteria and viruses on it. Go wash your hands, and from then on, use a napkin to wipe your hands. Don't drink from the same glass as another person or use the same utensils. These are common sense, but, especially with small children to feed, sometimes we don't think. These are so simple. Why don't people think, and do them?
QUESTION: What other preventive things can I do?
ANSWER: Good nutrition is the foundation for good health. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Soak them ten to fifteen minutes in water with vinegar to remove toxins and pathogens (bacteria and viruses). If you wonder if you are getting enough, then you probably need to supplement with a high quality anti-oxidant formula. Minimize processed foods.
Next, assess your environment. How many people around you are coughing and sneezing? Be sure to wash your hands after handling money or anything they have touched, before you handle any food. If you are the one coughing, do your best not to handle anything that others will have to touch.
QUESTION: What is cough etiquette?
ANSWER: Cough etiquette is covering the mouth and nose with a tissue or mask to prevent droplets from being sprayed into the air. It is also important to wash your hands after disposing of the tissue. The other aspect of cough etiquette is to isolate yourself from others if you have a persistent, productive cough. Don't expose them unnecessarily to your affliction.
QUESTION: What if, despite my best efforts, I contract the flu?
ANSWER: Stay home, unless you are going out to seek medical care. Add ¼ cup of hydrogen peroxide to distilled water in a cool mist vaporizer running in the room when you sleep. Gargle with half peroxide, half distilled water several times a day. Do NOT swallow any of it, or you will have a stomach ache. Consume plenty of fluids, including juices. Increased amounts of vitamin C might help. Chicken soup has been shown to be therapeutic. Decongestants, mucolytics, and cough suppressants may help.
QUESTION: What about anti-virals?
ANSWER: These can be obtained from your family physician if your symptoms are severe enough, particularly when an epidemic of influenza has been reported. The physician will use anti-virals as needed and offer various IV therapies to help support the individual's immune response.
QUESTION: Where can I get additional information?
ANSWER: The Sedgwick County Health Department has resource information available.
