All about Flu

Influenza, commonly called flu, is a viral infection that usually surfaces during the winter months. People can contract flu many times because the viruses that cause flu are able to mutate (change), making it difficult for our immune systems to keep up.

Flu is an airborne infection and is spread in tiny droplets when people sneeze or cough, but it can also be spread by other means, e.g. when the droplets are carried on hands.

Flu usually has a relatively rapid onset, unlike a cold which can occur more gradually and is generally milder and confined to the nose, throat and respiratory tract. Symptoms of flu may include sudden high temperatures, blocked or running nose, sore throat, coughing, fatigue, muscle and joint pains, loss of appetite and sometimes even gastric symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.

Sometimes flu can lead to secondary infections like bronchitis, pneumonia, ear, tonsil and throat infections, croup and even heart and brain inflammation - although the latter is not common. Some children can also develop febrile convulsions (fits) as a result of the high fever. Although flu is more common in children, serious complications are more frequent in the elderly, those with diabetes, kidney, lung and chronic heart disease as well as those with compromised immune systems as in the case of AIDS/HIV infection.

How is Flu usually treated?

For many people, flu may be a relatively mild illness and is best treated with bed-rest until the fever and other symptoms subside. This also helps to limit the spread of the infection to others. Over the counter medicines like paracetamol, as well as various cough and cold products are often used to treat symptoms. However, many of these come with side effects. It is also important to remember that all of the symptoms of flu (e.g. coughing, sneezing and running nose) are nature's way of trying to drive the flu virus from the body and one should therefore take medicines like cough suppressants and decongestants with caution as they can prolong the illness and even make it worse in the long run. 

Some doctors prescribe antibiotics for flu infection. However, as flu is a virus, antibiotics are not effective for flu and only serve to further reduce immune strength. However, in some cases, antibiotics may be prescribed for secondary bacterial infections associated with the flu. It is important to look after yourself when you have the flu so that you do not develop secondary infections and can recover from the flu more quickly.

It is important to know that there are many effective natural alternatives to OTC medicines and antibiotics routinely prescribed for flu treatment. Natural remedies can help to safely reduce the symptoms of flu and the common cold, cut recovery time and also strengthen the immune system to prevent recurring infection.

What is FloraFlu?

FloraFlu is our unique 100% blend of herbal and homeopathic ingredients, especially chosen for their ability to treat all the major symptoms of flu and the common cold quickly and effectively, while also shortening recovery time drastically. Used either at the first signs of infection to prevent flu or for the treatment of full blown flu infection, FloraFlu is an effective natural alternative to the OTC and prescription drugs for flu treatment. It is generally well tolerated without side effects or negative interactions with other medicines.

To help prevent recurring flu infections and protect against flu for the entire season, we strongly recommend that FloraFlu be used together with OralFlu Protect - our homeopathic oral flu vaccine.