Stop Worrying About the Flu -- Your Six Best Options Revealed

October 29, 2004

By Dr. ph Mercola

Like diehard fans camping out overnight to be the first in line for concert tickets to their favorite performer, people are waiting in long lines hoping to get the flu vaccine. Yes, it's that time of year -- flu season and the media and the government have stirred the public into complete panic mode. Headlines flood newspapers reading, "Vaccine shortage leads public crisis" and on the hour radio broadcasts are bombarding the public with reports that the flu epidemic is coming and there aren't enough vaccines to fight it.

Before You Run Out to Get the Flu Shot ... Do Your Homework

It's becoming increasingly difficult to separate facts from the hype created by the media and government officials. In order to make an informed decision of whether or not to get the flu shot, it is of utmost importance to do your homework. This involves doing thorough research of the safety issues surrounding the flu vaccination and then learning the preventative measures against getting the flu in the first place.

The Target Markets for the Flu Vaccine: Elderly and Children

Generally, the flu vaccine is recommended for people ages 65 and older and to those with serious medical conditions that could quickly worsen as a result of serious complications from the flu. Reports from medical journals widely vary in the effectiveness for the elderly, ranging from 0 to 85 percent.

The CDC reports that 90 percent of deaths from influenza occur among the elderly. These kinds of statistics make it nearly impossible to credit the flu vaccine for prolonging lives in this age group, as 65 percent of all deaths (regardless of the cause) happen among the elderly.

Further, there are potential dangers to the flu vaccine, particularly to the already vulnerable elderly population. Dr. Hugh Fudenberg, one of the world's leading immunogeneticists, states the chances of getting Alzheimer's disease is 10 times higher if an individual has five consecutive shots than if they have one, two or no shots. This is likely due to the thimerosol (a mercury-derived preservative) and aluminum content of the vaccine.

Recommendations to give flu vaccinations to children were adopted on March 1, 2003. These recommendations include vaccinating children between 2 and 18 years who live in households containing children younger than 2 years of age. The most common type of flu vaccine given to children is called Fluzone, with each dose containing 25 ug of mercury. CDC recommendations include administering the flu vaccine to children beginning at six months of age and then on an annual basis, for the rest of their lives.

Does the Flu Vaccine Really Work?

The flu vaccine can actually weaken the immune system and make you more predisposed to the illness.

The flu vaccine, whether in the shot or nasal form, is worthless at best and should be avoided. Not only are they loaded with toxic chemicals including mercury and aluminum, but many people come down with the flu shortly after receiving the shot. This is because it actually weakens the immune system, making the person more predisposed to the illness.

The Dangers You Need to Know About FluMist

First, it is important to familiarize yourself with the side effects of FluMist, which include cough, runny nose/nasal congestion, irritability, headaches, chills, muscle aches and fever. Ironically, all of these symptoms bear striking similarities to the symptoms of the flu.

In addition, research has shown an increased risk of Bell palsy following intranasal flu vaccination, according to the Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS). The makers of the nasal flu vaccine in the study decided not to market it the following season due to the risk. According to GACVS, the greater risk of Bell palsy following immunization with this vaccine may have been due to specific vaccine components, or simply to use of the intranasal administration route. It is therefore possible that such complications of vaccine administration may also apply to other nasal vaccines.

The new live-virus vaccine (FLUMIST), which is squirted up the nose, was licensed by the FDA in June 2003 for use in healthy individuals between the ages of five and 50. It is not recommended for pregnant women or those with asthma, chronic lung or heart disease; chronic underlying medical conditions such as diabetes or kidney disorders; immune suppression or immune system problems; children or adolescents receiving aspirin therapy, anyone allergic to eggs; or those with a history of Guillain Barre syndrome. It should not be given simultaneously with other vaccines.

FLUMIST's vaccine live virus is shed after vaccination so the vaccinated are advised to avoid close contact with immune-compromised individuals for at least 21 days. Some hospital personnel are asking those recently vaccinated with FLUMIST to avoid visiting patients in hospitals to prevent the risk of transmitting the vaccine strain virus to sick patients.

6 Ways to Avoid the Flu

Now that you know what harm vaccines can do, the following are some simple things you can do to avoid catching the flu.

Avoid Sugar. Since sugar works by breaking down the functions of the immune system, it is especially important to eliminate it from your diet in order to keep your immune system running strong and capable of fighting viruses such as the flu.

Get Enough Rest. Getting the proper amount of sleep will help build up your resistance against potential invaders. When your body becomes over fatigued, it's more difficult to fight the flu. If you are having problems with sleep please review my Guide to Better Sleeping.

Have Tools To Address Stress. Everyone deals with some type of stress on a daily basis. Our bodies lose the ability to fight off the flu and other illnesses when we let stress overwhelm us. As a matter of fact, reports show that up to 90 percent of illness and disease are stress-related. One of the two best tools I know of are energy psychology techniques like EFT. You can get our free manual on how to use EFT for more information. You can also use brain wave synchronization technology that easily allows your brain to go into a meditative brainwave pattern with the Insight CDs.

Exercise. Exercise helps your immune system by improving circulation throughout your body. When the components of your immune system circulate properly, the immune system is better equipped to detect an illness before it gets a chance to spread.

Eat Garlic Regularly. Eating fresh garlic each day will help keep the flu at bay. The antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal components of garlic are destroyed within one hour of smashing the garlic. Therefore it is best to eat fresh garlic, as garlic pills are virtually worthless.

Wash Your Hands. Good hand washing will help decrease the likelihood of spreading viruses to your nose, mouth or other people. If your immune system is strong, it should be able to fight off the virus if it does enter your body, but washing your hands provides that extra barrier of protection.

One word of caution is avoid using antibacterial soaps. These soaps are completely unnecessary and could easily cause more harm than good. The antibacterial compounds found in most of these soaps sold in the United States are likely contributing to the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

In my practice, I have found the best way to maintain the ultimate hygiene is by using the Clenzology Advanced Hygiene System. This hygiene kit is simple to use and only takes a matter of minutes, which makes it ideal for families with young children.

Most importantly, the Clenzology soap is not antibacterial and it is capable of reaching the tens of thousands of germs on the backs and palms of hands, on fingers and under fingernails.

What Should You do if You do Get the Flu?

If you do get the flu, one of the most important and simple things you can do is to use hydrogen peroxide in your ears. Simple hydrogen peroxide, about a half of a capful in each ear, several times a day, is more than likely to abort the flu reaction. It costs less than a penny, so you really don't have much to lose. I can guarantee you that it is less toxic and more effective than any flu vaccine on the planet.

Please remember the ultimate treatment for the flu is proactive prevention. Eat the right foods, avoid the junk, get plenty of rest and stay emotionally balanced -- all presented in detail in my new book, TOTAL HEALTH Program -- and you and the flu symptoms will likely never meet.

I guarantee that this, and not vaccines and pills, are the answer. I have spent over two decades developing my dietary program, and through my respected clinic it has proven to help tens of thousands of people build their immunity, overcome disease (most far more serious than the flu), optimize their weight and increase their energy.

In the book you'll learn about all the foods that will help you build your immune system and optimize your weight, and those you should avoid.To make an informed decision, first you'll need to do some research in order to weigh all reasonable options for you and your family. If you are interested in finding out more about the vaccine issue, I urge you to consider "The Danger of Vaccines, and How You Can Legally Avoid Them" audiotape featuring nationally renowned vaccine expert, Dr. Sherri Tenpenny, who discusses the real dangers of vaccines and how you can legally avoid them.

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Stop Worrying About the Flu -- Your Six Best Options Revealed

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