About Her Lifestyle

As we head into flu season, medical authorities promote the importance of flu immunization, but there might be another side to the story. Some studies have shown that the vaccine is not all that effective in fighting off influenza, so why get it at all?

Mainstream health groups such as the World Health Organization, CDC and Health Canada say that the best way to avoid influenza is to get vaccinated every fall. The idea is that the vaccine will prompt your immune system to develop antibodies to the virus, so if you’re around people with the flu, you can either avoid getting it altogether or at least have a milder version of it.

This annual vaccine works on the strains of the flu virus that have been identified as the likely culprits for that year—but when the vaccine is being developed, this is often a guess, and it’s not always completely on target.

Furthermore, you might experience some side effects from the flu shot for a couple of days afterwards:

• tiredness;

• swelling or tenderness where you got the needle;

• low-grade fever;

• muscle aches;

Allergic reactions also happen occasionally following the shot, and extremely rarely, Guillain-Barré syndrome, an autoimmune disease.

A lot of people feel there’s no need for the flu shot, and instead, you should take precautions to avoid this seasonal misery. The fact is, unless you’re a hermit, you likely will be exposed to the highly contagious flu virus. It’s in the air, spread by flu victims when they cough or sneeze, and it can remain on surfaces they’ve touched. You can be infected if you come into contact with those surfaces, then touch your mouth, nose or eyes.

Tips on how to avoid the flu:

• Wash your hands frequently.

• Don’t let yourself get run down; get plenty of sleep.

• Boost your immune system through good diet or natural supplements.

• Work on lowering your stress level through exercise or mindful practices such as yoga or meditation.

And if you do catch the flu, give in to it. Stay home from work so you can get proper rest (and avoid infecting others) and check out your local health food store for natural remedies.

Before you decide which course to take, be sure to consult with a trusted health care professional.