To Your Health
Stay Healthy This Winter

by Paulette Avery, RN, MSN, IBCLC

According to a November 10 article in the Mercury News, "A sudden rash of influenza cases in Northern California has some physicians worrying that this year's flu season could be a brutal one." Apparently there have been more documented cases of the flu than is normal this early in the flu season. I'm sure we all want to avoid falling victim to the nasty influenza bug or even the common cold, so read on for what you can do to prevent these illnesses.

Staying healthy during this cold and flu season may be as simple as maintaining a cheerful attitude. I've reported on a number of studies that have demonstrated the benefits of positive attitudes. A study done at Carnegie Mellon University, reported in the November issue of Prevention, found that having a positive view of the world could actually short-circuit the rhinovirus, the germ that causes the common cold. Doctors squirted rhinovirus up the noses of 111 happy people and 112 grumps. Of the volunteers in the study, those with the most upbeat dispositions were the least likely to get a cold. The negative people, on the other hand, tended to complain about coughs, sneezes, sniffles, and other common cold symptoms even when they had no sign of actual viral infection.

When you or someone close to you does get a cold, try some form of zinc at the first symptoms. Some studies have found no positive effect on colds in those using zinc lozenges, but other studies have found a 42 percent reduction in cold symptoms and duration when treatment with zinc begins early. My personal experience is that zinc works well, and now there are many different ways to take it. In addition to lozenges, you can find zinc cold remedies in oral and nasal sprays, nasal swabs, and chews. If you take it orally, be sure you have something in your stomach first, as the zinc can cause nausea and stomach upset.

As unpleasant as colds can be, they cause far less misery and are much less serious than influenza, which can result in serious complications, even death. Last year we had a mild flu season, but as the trend appears to be heading in the opposite direction this year, it is especially important to take advantage of preventive measures. Kaiser Permanente recommends the flu vaccine for:

Adults 50 and over

Adults of any age, and children older than 6 months, with a chronic medical condition

Pregnant women in their second or third trimester during flu season

Healthcare workers

Household members of a person with a chronic medical condition

The vaccine is also encouraged for healthy children aged 6 to 23 months.

This year, for the first time, there is a new way to get protection against the flu. Flu Mist, an intranasal vaccine, is an alternative available for people aged 5 to 49. It is not recommended for other ages, in part because its safety hasn't been tested in those groups yet. It also is not for anyone for whom the flu shot is recommended.

Flu Mist is an attenuated virus vaccine, meaning it contains live flu virus that has been modified so that it does not cause illness but does stimulate production of antibodies. These vaccines, according to Dr. Brian Murphy of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, are effective against respiratory viruses because they stimulate immunity within the cells lining the respiratory system. Currently, most insurance carriers do not cover Flu Mist, which costs approximately $50 per dose. However, if you are a Kaiser member who can appropriately receive it, you can obtain the nasal vaccine free of charge because NorthernCalifornia Kaiser facilities are participating in a post-market study of Flu Mist.

Although it may seem too late to get the flu vaccine by the time you read this, it isn't. It is best to be vaccinated between October and December, but getting a flu shot from January to March can still protect you against the flu. Have a happy and healthy holiday season!

Paulette Avery is a registered nurse and a freelance writer who specializes in health issues.