With the rampant spread of the Swine Flu- a flu strain that spread from poultry to humans, one must take proactive precautions to getting infection by developing immunity against the virus. This involves avoiding being in close contact to people who seem ill with fever or flu like symptoms and getting immunized with the latest vaccine as soon as possible.

There are times when previous exposure to a virus strain may generate a certain level of immunity infections towards a similar strain of the virus, especially in the case of the Influenza virus. The mutation of influenza A virus happens three to four times each century, causing a new strain to emerge. Since people have no protection against the new strain, a pandemic may occur, with the virus spreading across the globe, causing severe pneumonia and death even in previously healthy individuals.                                                                                                                                                                                

A good natural preventive is vitamin C or L-ascorbic acid, which is an essential nutrient for human beings that must be taken through food sources as the body does not generate it. Ensuring that one takes additional amounts of vitamin C is important for the body to stay strong enough to fight off the any potential invading viruses and preventing them from colonizing the body cells. Increasing the usual dosage of Vitamin C in one diet is a good preventive measure against all flu viruses. Tolerable upper intake level for an adult male is 2,000 mg per day and for the adult female 2,000 mg per day.

Vitamin C can be found in citrus fruits like grapefruit, oranges, lime and lemons and also parsley rose hip, blackcurrants, berries, and vegetables.

Antiviral drugs like oseltamivir (Tamiflu®), zanamivir (Relenza®) and amantadine, when taken 48 hours prior to being infected, effectively reduces influenza symptoms and complications as well as hastening the end of the infection. These drugs are available in pill, liquid, or inhaler form.

Vaccines provide foremost protection against influenza as antibodies are stimulated to fight off the flu virus. Even so, it may take up to several months before a new vaccine can be developed in the case of a pandemic. Therefore, one should waste no time to taking antiviral drugs if you are living in a zone infested with the virus. (And don’t forget your vitamin C)

As with any drug, it is crucial to monitor and treat any serious adverse reactions upon admistration of an antiviral drug. Serious adverse reactions are death, birth defects, significant disability or incapacity and in-patient hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization. It is advisible to provide full history of medical condition and allergies to your doctor so as to curtail possible side effects to a minimal.

photo credits: ICT_photo