Traditional and alternative methods for fighting the flu

Tuesday, November 28th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Are you prepared to fight the flu? News on Six reporter Donn Robertson talked with a doctor about traditional methods to fight the flu, and a dietician about some alternatives. Robertson went to Akins Natural Foods. Their goal is to keep people healthy with natural foods, herbs and vitamins.

Things have changed since Mary Ann O'Dell became interested in natural therapies as a little girl. "I ended up trying stuff on my own," she said. â€œNow, we have stores full of natural items.â€ O'Dell has a masters in nutritrion. She says the best way to keep away the flu are the traditional methods that include washing your hands, getting plenty of rest, eating healthy, and taking a multivitamin every day. She says once the flu bug hits, try vitamin C and a herb known as Echinacea. "I don't think you should take it all year long,â€ she explained. â€œFor Echinacea to be real effective, you want to take it when everyone around you starts to get sick."

If you become sick, Oâ€™Dell says drink plenty of fluids including Echinacea tea. Zinc lozenges can also help.
"Zinc lozenges are specifically good for colds, even more so than the flu,â€ she noted. â€œThey are going to help some of the symptoms of the cold, especially if you have a sore throat or cough." Dieticians say if the symptoms don't go away in two or three days, it's time to see a doctor.

Doctors now have two new medications they can prescribe that can help battle the flu. One is called Tamiflu, the other Relenza. Dr. John Jennings calls Tamiflu, a great new medicine to fight the flu. He says it would be expensive to take Tamiflu before the flu strikes you. He recommends a flu shot, especially if you have a chronic medical problem. â€œThere really isn't a down side to it, because there are very little side effects from it,â€ said Dr. Jennings. â€œSo one should have the flu shot."

Dr. Jennings says the cold weather has nothing to do with causing the outbreak of the flu virus. Flu germs are spread, because people are indoors due to the weather. He says his best advice is to wash your hands to avoid getting infected.