Slimme Mobiliteit

AN iNdepeNdeNt SUppLeMeNt tO tHe NAtiONAL pOSt
Cold & Flu
February 2010
your guide to boosting immune support
2
AN iNdepeNdeNt SUppLeMeNt tO tHe NAtiONAL pOSt
cold n’ flu
CONTENTS
The Cost Of The (Far Too)
Common Cold And Flu
2 TheCostOfThe(FarToo)Common
ColdAndFlu
2 RiskyBusiness
2 H1N1 4 TakingChargeOfYourHealth
Prevention, Treatment and Knowing the difference
4 MealsThatHeal
4 DrinkUp!
by: SHerry tOrkOS, r.pH., b.SC.pHM., tHe CANAdiAN eNCyCLOpediA OF NAtUrAL MediCiNe
5 ContainmentStrategies
6 CopingWithCongestion
We are in the midst of cold and flu season and this year
has been particularly worrisome for Canadians with the
heightened concerns of the H1N1 pandemic. As such,
there is also greater interest in strategies for prevention.
6 Flu411 7 It’sComplicated
7 SupplementalKnowledge
7 BeyondLaundry
COLDN’FLU
Publisher: Duane Woodward
[email protected]
Contributors:
Beth Maher
[email protected]
Designer: Carrie Reagh
[email protected]
Photos: ©iStockphoto.com
For more information about supplements
in the daily press, please contact:
Gustav Aspegren, 1 416 977 7100
[email protected]
This section was written by Mediaplanet and
did not involve National Post or Editorial
Departments.
www.mediaplanet.com
PleasenoteintheJanuary25,2010
MediaplanetBones&JointPainReport
therewasanerrorinthearticle
“PutPatientsFirst”regardingthe
PowerofMovement™YogaChallenge
toBeatArthritiswebsite,itwaslisted
as(www.powerofmovement.com);
thecorrectwebsiteis
www.powerofmovement.catoregister
fortheSunday,March7thevent.
Sherry torkos, r.ph., b.Sc.phm.
C
olds and flu are both caused by
viruses that infect the respiratory
tract—the nose, sinus passages
and throat. there are more than 200 viruses that can cause colds; the most common family is known as the rhinoviruses.
these are also called “nose viruses”, based
on a Greek word “rhino” meaning nose. According to statistics, 72 per cent of Canadians get colds each year. Adults average
2.5 colds a year while children contract six
to eight per year.
influenza (the flu) is a respiratory infection caused by viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae. As of January 23 there have
been 39,020 confirmed cases of influenza
(both seasonal and H1N1 flu) in Canada.
the flu can be distinguished from the
common cold because it generally results
in a more severe illness, with a sudden
onset of headache, chills and cough followed rapidly by a high fever, appetite
loss, muscle aches, and tiredness. the
incubation period for influenza is 24 to 72
hours. Adults with influenza remain infectious for 3 to 5 days after onset of symptoms, and children may remain infectious
for up to a week after onset. influenza
typically lasts a week to 10 days.
Cold symptoms, on the other hand,
generally involve the upper respiratory
tract with runny nose, sneezing, watery
eyes, and throat irritation. Symptoms
usually begin two to five days after initial
infection and often resolve in several days
to a week.
in some people, especially young children, those over 65 years of age, or people
with other systemic illnesses (e.g. heart
disease, diabetes, cancer, and respiratory
illnesses), influenza can be very severe, requiring hospitalization. people with these
risk factors should receive immunization
against influenza each year.
in Canada, flu season usually runs from
November to April however, the 20092010 influenza season began earlier this
year, in August. the flu is not caused by
cold weather, rather it is more common in
the winter because humidity is lower and
we spend more time indoors, in close contact with one another, making it easier to
contract and spread germs. Colds are also
more common in the winter, for the same
reason as the flu, but they can happen any
time of the year.
Catching a cold or flu causes much
more than just personal suffering. it is
estimated that the social costs of the
common cold is $400 million per year
which makes it more costly than asthma,
congestive heart failure and chronic ob-
structive pulmonary disease combined.
the public Health Agency of Canada
commissioned Statistics Canada to assess
the impact of H1N1 and seasonal flu on
hours worked over a three-month period,
starting in November, using the Labour
Force Survey. According to this report, 1.5
million employed people aged 15 to 69
reported they were absent from work as
a result of the H1N1 or seasonal flu, representing 9.0 per cent of workers in that age
group. On average, these absent workers
lost 19.6 hours of work each, for a total of
29.5 million hours lost.
As a pharmacist i am often asked about
what can be done to prevent or treat
cold and flu. We have all heard about the
importance of vaccination for the flu, and
hand washing and covering our mouth
and nose when we cough or sneeze to
prevent contracting or spreading a cold
or flu, but there is much more that can
be done to cut your chances of catching
a bug this season and it all begins with a
strong functioning immune system.
Our immune system is our defense
network against foreign invaders such
as bacteria and viruses. this network is
comprised of millions of cells, tissues and
organs, such as the skin, the respiratory
system (nose, tonsils, sinuses and lungs)
and digestive tract. this complex system
works hard every day to protect us against
infection and even cancer.
Our immune system, far from being a
static and fixed entity, is a dynamic and
adaptive process with elaborate communication networks. thus, it can be heavily
influenced by a broad variety of factors,
including diet and lifestyle. in this report
you will learn about strategies to optimize
immune system health, the role of supplements and other things that you can do
to reduce your risk of getting a bug this
season. As the saying goes, an ounce of
prevention is worth a pound of cure.
if you do happen to get sick keep in
mind most cases of cold and flu are mild
and can be treated by staying home and
getting adequate rest, drinking fluids and
taking products for symptom relief. it is
important to see your doctor if you have
any serious medical conditions or if you
have a fever greater than 38 Celsius (102
F) along with aching, fatigue, sweating,
and chills, or if there is vomiting, ear pain,
coloured phlegm, or if symptoms persist
longer than 10 days. Contrary to common belief, antibiotics are of no benefit in
treating a cold or flu, unless you develop
a secondary bacterial infection such as
strep throat, bronchitis or pneumonia.
Sherry torkos is a pharmacist, fitness
instructor, and author of several books
including the Canadian encyclopedia
of Natural Medicine. Her website is:
www.sherrytorkos.com.
Risky Business Reduce your risk of catching (and spreading) viruses
DO get the flu shot.
the most effective way to protect
yourself—and those around you—from
seasonal influenza is to get vaccinated
every year. the flu shot is composed of
inactivated (a.k.a. dead) viruses, which
means it cannot make you sick. Unlike
other vaccines that offer long-term protection with just one injection, the flu
shot is reformulated each year to protect
Canadians against that particular season’s
prevailing virus strains, which may very
well differ from those of previous years, so
it is especially important to be immunized
annually. Health Canada recommends
that you receive the vaccine in October
or November, however, if you missed that
window this year, it is not too late. the flu
shot still offers preventative benefits even
this far into the season.
DON’T cover your mouth or nose with
your hands when coughing or sneezing.
yes, you read that correctly: don’t use
your hands. instead, cover your face with
a tissue or turn into the elbow of your
sleeve when coughing or sneezing. the
viruses that cause the common cold and
flu live in the saliva and mucus of your
nose and throat. A sneeze or cough expels
droplets of that matter into the air, exposing those around you to your infectious
germs.
DO wash your hands regularly.
An estimated 80 percent of common
infectious diseases, such as the cold and
flu, are spread by touch. in the latter’s
case, those germ-riddled droplets from
a sneeze or cough can live on surfaces
(including your hands) for up to 72
hours. transmission can occur directly
(e.g. a handshake) or indirectly: you
unknowingly come into contact with a
contaminated surface and then touch
your face, where germs can enter your
did You Know…
Approximately 10 million flu shots are distributed annually in Canada.
H1N1 By The numbers
A typical run-of-the-mill flu season in Canada will see 10
to 25 per cent of the population fall ill, resulting in 20,000
hospitalizations and 4,000 deaths, on average.
• during severe influenza A outbreaks, it
wouldn’t be surprising for upwards of
50 per cent of Canadians to become infected, resulting in 30,000 to 40,000 hospitalizations and 6,000 to 8,000 deaths.
• Since the beginning of the 2009 H1N1
pandemic, there have been a total of
8,582 hospitalized cases and 426 deaths
in Canada.
• Worldwide, there have been at least
14,142 deaths due to H1N1.
• in November 2009, seasonal flu and
H1N1 kept more than 1.5 million Canadians home from work. that’s almost 10
per cent of the national workforce aged
15 to 69.
• those absences represent a net loss of
nearly 21 million work hours across the
country.
• the last time the country experienced
Hand-Washing 101
Common sense? perhaps, but many of
you still aren’t doing it correctly.
1) remove all jewellery.
2) Wet hands with warm water.
3) Use regular liquid soap, wash front and
back, between fingers and under nails.
4) Sing “Happy birthday” to ensure that
•
•
•
•
that kind of loss in hours was during the
Ontario-US blackout in 2003.
the Canadian government purchased
50.4 million doses of H1N1 flu vaccine on behalf of the nation, including
1.8 million doses of the unadjuvanted
vaccine.
Approximately 45 per cent of Canadians
have rolled up their sleeves for the H1N1
flu vaccine to date.
So far in 2010, influenza-like-illness (iLi)
consultation rates have been consistently below the expected range for this
time of year. the third week of January,
for example, saw only 12 iLi-related
consultations for every 1,000, which is
less than half the mean rate.
in fact, all influenza-activity indicators
for 2010 are either within or below the
expected range for a normal flu season.
you’ve scrubbed for at least 15 seconds.
5) rinse under warm water for 10 seconds.
6) dry your hands with disposable towel
or clean cloth.
7) Avoid recontamination, use the towel
to turn off the faucet.
8) Moisturize regularly. Cracked dry skin
offers germs a place to hide.
body through your eyes, nose or mouth.
it should come as no surprise then that
proper and regular hand-washing is the
best way to stop the spread of infectious
diseases of all kinds. the mechanical act
of rubbing your hands together with soap
and water breaks up dirt and grease and
sends it down the drain along with the
pesky bugs that cling to it. (For proper
hand-washing how-to, see “Hand-Washing 101”.)
DON’T assume you’re flu-free just because you’re symptom-free.
during flu season, it is still important
to take proper preventative measures to
protect yourself and others even when
you are feeling healthy as it is possible to
spread the virus a full day prior to the appearance of symptoms. Adults continue
to be contagious for up to seven days
after becoming ill, and children, even
longer.
DO stay home when you’re sick.
do those around you a favour and steer
clear of work and/or school when you’re
sick with the cold or flu. Not only will you
be protecting others from suffering your
ill fate, but you’ll also help speed your
own recovery by staying home to rest.
DON’T beg for antibiotics from your
doctor.
Antibiotics are effective in the treatment of bacterial infections. the common
cold and flu, on the other hand, along with
some ear infections, most sore throats
and bronchitis, are caused by viruses.
Antibiotics will have absolutely no effect
on these illnesses. in fact, taking them
for viral infections may do more harm
than good. According to the Centers for
disease Control and prevention (CdC),
antibiotic resistance is one of the world’s
most pressing health problems. Widespread overuse of antibiotics is fueling an
increase in resistant bacteria, which are
more difficult and expensive to treat.
DO carry an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Let’s face it: there’s not always a sink
handy when you need it most (e.g. after
a crowded subway ride in mid-January,
post-Christmas-shopping at the mall). in
those situations, using an alcohol-based
hand sanitizer is the next best thing.
Make sure your hands are dry, as moisture can dilute the product, and that you
apply enough of it to cover your hands
and fingers completely, about three millilitres. rub your hands together until the
product has evaporated. keep in mind,
however, that the alcohol kills both good
and bad bacteria, so use it sparingly. Also,
sanitizer will not work properly if your
hands are visibly dirty. in that case, it’s
best to wash with soap and water.
Gentle. Simple. Precise. Engineered for peace of mind.
Chosen 250 million times a year by pediatricians, Braun Ear Thermometers are
designed just for your baby’s ear. The Braun ThermoScan features a Guidance System
that tells you it’s placed perfectly, and a small, gentle ExacTemp pre-warmed tip to
help ensure accuracy. No wonder moms who want the best for their baby choose Braun.
Braun ThermoScan. The brand most used by pediatricians.
This product is manufactured, marketed and distributed by Kaz Canada Inc. under a license to
the ‘Braun’ trademark. ‘Braun’ is a registered trademark of Braun GmbH, Kronberg, Germany.
“250 Million” based on measurements per year; “Most used by pediatricians” based on survey
of pediatricians in the USA. ©2010 Kaz Canada Inc.
4
AN iNdepeNdeNt SUppLeMeNt tO tHe NAtiONAL pOSt
cold n’ flu
Taking Charge of Your Health The true determinants of our
immune system’s strength are within our control: diet, fitness, rest and emotional wellbeing are the keys to bolstering your immunity.
the power to positively impact immunity begins with a better knowledge of how it
works. A healthy, vital immune system depends on the proper function of every other
bodily system. As humans largely come into contact with bacteria and viruses via the
mucus membranes of the nose, mouth and gastrointestinal tract, our ability to ward off
illness relies heavily on the health of the respiratory and digestive systems.
I
mmune cells line their passages and
scan everything coming in and out
for possible sources of infection or
illness. this is part of the innate immune
response, our first line of defense against
foreign invaders.
the innate response triggers a targeted
reaction known as the adaptive immune
response, which creates specialized antibodies designed to finish off the attacking
virus. that army of antibodies remains,
ready to strike the next time the virus appears.
“A holistic approach to strengthening
the immune system looks at supporting
innate immunity,” says erin Wiley, a doctor of naturopathic medicine and the
cofounder and clinic director at toronto’s
integrative Health institute (integrativehealthinstitute.ca). “depending on how
much rest we’re getting, how much exercise we’re getting and our nutrition and
overall health, we can significantly impact
the quality of our immune system and its
ability to respond.”
Sherry torkos (sherrytorkos.com), a
holistic pharmacist and the author of The
Canadian Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine
(Wiley, 2008), concurs, “Far from being a
static and fixed entity, the immune system
is a dynamic and adaptive process with
elaborate communication networks. thus
it can be heavily influenced by a variety of
lifestyle factors.”
So what does a lifestyle that supports
healthy immune function look like?
A nutritious diet is the cornerstone
of good health and thus key to a strong
immune system as well. Foods rich in vitamins C (e.g. broccoli, peppers, strawberries)
and d (e.g. dairy), zinc (e.g. whole grains,
pumpkin seeds, turkey), selenium (e.g.
seafood, sunflower seeds, brazil nuts) and
antioxidants (e.g. brightly coloured fruits
and veggies) are all important staples in
an immune-friendly diet.
On the flip side, two big nutritional
no-nos are alcohol and foods high in
sugar.“Alcohol in large amounts [i.e. binge
drinking] can suppress immune function
and increase the risk of infection,” says
torkos. to be on the safe side, men should
restrict their alcohol intake to fewer than
two drinks daily, while women should
limit themselves to one. Sugar is also
known to depress the immune response.
“Studies have shown that those who eat
diets rich in sugar are more susceptible to
cold and flu than those who eat diets rich
in fruits and vegetables,” says Wiley. (For
more immune-boosting nutrition tips, see
“Meals that Heal”.)
there’s no doubt that working out is
beneficial to your immune health. regular
exercise causes certain immune cells (e.g.
natural killer cells) to grow in number and
aggressiveness by as much as 300 percent. One study in The American Journal of
Medicine found that women who walked
for half an hour every day for one year
contracted half as many colds as those
who didn’t exercise.
but that’s not all. “exercise helps us to
manage our stress and increases circulation so we can more quickly distribute all
those immune cells and defenses to the
different areas of the body,” says Wiley.
“it also raises our core body temperature,
which can actually enhance our ability to
fight off infection.” Strive for 30 minutes to
one hour of moderate physical activity five
times a week.
As well, “you can’t ignore the importance of sleep,” says Wiley.“Our body needs
that restorative period on a daily basis.”
“Sleep restores and refreshes us mentally,
emotionally and physically,” says torkos.
“people who are sleep-deprived have
decreased immune-cell activity and are at
greater risk of illness.” torkos recommends
seven to nine hours of shut-eye each night
for optimal immune performance.
there is also a well known relationship
between stress and immune suppression.
“Stress causes an increase in hormones
like cortisol and adrenaline,” says torkos,
“which, over time, can impair the immune
system.” don’t take on more than you can
handle at work, be sure to exercise regularly (see above) and make sleep a daily
priority. relaxation strategies, such as mediation or yoga, can also do wonders for
your immune health.
the correlation between rest, relaxation
and immunity has to do in part with how
our nervous system reacts to external
stimuli. Stressful situations engage our
body’s sympathetic response, which
means the brain only activates those
muscles and organs needed for fight or
flight. Our heart rate elevates, our senses
become sharper, etc. Our immune system,
on the other hand, isn’t considered a priority, so the brain stops sending the signals
it needs to function. the parasympathetic
response, on the other hand, puts the body
into rest and digest mode. that’s when the
immune system is turned back on.
teaching yourself to relax gives you the
ability to activate your immune system on
command. When your body is in a truly
relaxed state, the number of interleukins
(proteins at the forefront of the battle
against cold and flu) in your bloodstream
rises. “things like laughter and deep
breathing will immediately engage that
relaxation response,” says Wiley, whose
final piece of advice is sure to put a smile
on your face: “One thing people can do
throughout the day is to try to laugh more
and take deep breaths into their abdomen.
even if you’re feeling stressed out, [those
behaviours] will automatically trigger that
relaxation response, even if only for a few
minutes.”
did You Know…
According to a study at Carnegie
Mellon University, people who get
less than seven hours of sleep a night
are three times more likely to catch
a cold than those who sleep at least
eight hours nightly.
Meals That Heal Harness the restorative power of these immune-boosting
foods and take cold and flu off the menu this season.
Breakfast
Wake up your immune system with a
berry smoothie. brightly coloured fruits, such
as blueberries and blackberries, get their
rich hue thanks to pigmented antioxidant
compounds. these essential nutrients help
support immune-system function by neutralizing free radicals (molecules that destroy
vital cell structures). blend berries with orange juice, for an added boost of vitamin C,
and low-fat yogurt, which contains beneficial
bacteria and vitamin d. recent studies have
shown a link between vitamin d deficiency
and increased susceptibility to cold and flu.
if you’ve been suffering from nausea, try
a peanut-butter-and-banana sandwich. No
matter how you slice ’em, bananas are easy
on the stomach. Along with rice, applesauce
and toast, they make up the brAt diet, a common prescription for people recovering from
gastric symptoms.
And please, skip the coffee. Caffeinated
beverages like coffee and tea are diuretics
and can lead to dehydration. if you can’t
live without your morning fix, choose green
tea instead, which is jam-packed with more
of those free-radical-fighting antioxidants:
polyphenols and flavonoids.
Lunch
A turkey sandwich is a great source of
lean protein, which your body will need
plenty of in order to summon the energy
necessary to ward off illness. too little protein will only serve to worsen symptoms
such as fatigue and muscle weakness.
top it with baby spinach instead of plain
old iceberg lettuce. Spinach boasts betacarotene and vitamin C (here comes that
antioxidant chorus, yet again) as well as
folic acid and magnesium.
Nothing pairs better with a sandwich—
especially in the winter months—than
a steamy bowl of soup. Whether it’s
Grandma’s chicken noodle or a healing
cup of herbaceous change of season soup
(see recipe), there are myriad benefits to
slurping back some broth during cold and
flu season. For one, soup helps keep you
hydrated. (See “drink Up!” for more on the
importance of hydration to your health.)
two, it will increase your core body temperature, putting you in a better position
to ward off illness. if you’re already sick, the
steam pouring off a piping-hot bowl of
soup can help to relieve congestion. Studies have also shown that warm chicken
soup may enhance the ability of the cilia
(tiny hair-like structures found in the nasal
passages) to protect the body from bacteria and viruses.
Wash it all down with a glass of V8, 100
per cent fruit juice or flat ginger ale, if your
stomach is bothering you.
Dinner
When you’re feeling sick, it’s tough to
work up an appetite for a large, multicourse meal. A vitamin-rich vegetable
purée, such as sweet potato soup, is easy
to swallow but still serves up plenty of
nutritional value. Sweet potatoes, in particular, are rich in the antioxidant betacarotene as well as vitamin A.
Serve garlic toast on the side for dipping. rubbing a raw garlic clove onto
crispy slices of baguette provides an
unexpected health benefit: rich in allicin,
raw garlic is a fantastic antimicrobial. in
other words, it kills the germs trying to
…coffee and tea are diuretics and
can lead to dehydration.
permeate the mucus membranes of the
digestive tract.
For dessert, steer clear of cookies and
candy. Sugar is known to suppress neutrophil activity. Neutrophils are a special type
of white blood cell that engulf and destroy
cold viruses, among other foreign invad-
ers. instead, reach for a popsicle to satisfy
your sweet tooth. it will not only keep you
hydrated, but also help to soothe a sore,
scratchy throat. Opt for pops made with
100 per cent fruit juice to make sure you’re
getting a dose of vitamins along with that
cooling relief.
change of Season Soup
enjoy this traditional Chinese broth for
two weeks at the start of each season to
give your body the extra support it needs
in order to adjust to the environmental
changes going on around you. don’t be
intimidated by the unfamiliar ingredients;
all of these herbs are readily available at
Chinese herbal shops or can be found
prepackaged in the health food sections
of most grocery stores.
Ingredients
• 55-85 g (2-3 oz.) Codonopsis pilosula
root (dang shen): tonifies and strengthens spleen and lungs; nourishes bodily
fluids.
• 55-85 g (2-3 oz.) Astragalus root (huang
qi): immune-stimulating herb; nourishes spleen and tonifies blood and
lungs.
• 55-85 g (2-3 oz.) dioscorea villosa (wild
yam) root: tonifies and balances lungs
and kidneys.
• 55-85 g (2-3 oz.) Chinese lycii berries
(lyceum): Help to strengthen liver and
kidneys.
Cooking Instructions
1. Fill a large stockpot with water or
homemade chicken broth.
2. Add herbs to liquid and cover with lid.
3. bring mixture to a boil. reduce heat
and simmer for 2 to 4 hours. (if liquid
reduces too much, replenish with water
or broth, as needed.)
4. Using a slotted spoon, remove herbs
from pot and allow broth to cool.
5. enjoy broth immediately or place in a
thermos and sip throughout the day.
Yields 4 litres.
Source: integrative Health institute, toronto (integrativehealthinstitute.ca)
Drink Up! Seven crucial
reasons why staying hydrated
should be top of mind this cold
and flu season.
1. Water is essential to human life: it forms
the basis for all bodily fluids, including
blood; it aids in the transportation and
absorption of nutrients; and it helps to
flush waste and toxins from the body.
the average person requires eight to 10
glasses of water a day, but if you think
you need more, drink up. you never
want to reach the point where you feel
thirsty.
2. Cold viruses thrive in arid conditions,
which is one of the reasons they are
more prevalent in the dry winter
months. it is much easier for germs to
permeate the protective mucus membranes of the eyes, nose and mouth
when their cells are dehydrated.
3. Fluids helps break up congestion. As
the water content of mucus increases,
it becomes less viscous and easier
to expel. drinking water or juice can
soothe other cold and flu symptoms as
well, including a dry, scratchy throat.
4. Cold-weather fitness fanatics may
not realize how much fluid they lose
through their breath alone. in the
warmer months, all that excessive
sweat acts as a reminder to rehydrate
post-workout. A winter’s day run also
leads to significant water loss—even
in the absence of sweat—which still
needs to be replaced.
5. Many drinks that warm you up can also
dry you out. beware the dehydrating
effects of coffee and tea. Although
they are composed primarily of water,
these bevvies are in fact diuretic, which
means they will increase urine production. if you consume a lot of caffeinated
beverages, be sure to compensate by
upping your water intake.
6. A typical adult loses close to 2.5 litres
of water a day simply by sweating,
breathing and going to the washroom.
that’s just on average. if you’re sick
and running a fever, vomiting or coping with diarrhea, that number rises
tremendously and with it, your risk of
dehydration.
7. dehydration can lead to some extremely serious complications, including cerebral edema (swelling of the
brain), seizure, hypovolaemic shock,
kidney failure, coma and even death.
it’s not worth the risk.
did You Know…
Water makes up about 60 per cent of
your body weight.
5
AN iNdepeNdeNt SUppLeMeNt tO tHe NAtiONAL pOSt
cold n’ flu
Containment Strategies
When someone in your family contracts the cold or flu, it
doesn’t take long for the entire household to come tumbling down like a proverbial house of cards. Maintaining
a clean environment in the face of illness is essential in
order to contain infection. practice these healthy habits
around the house to protect your family in both sickness
and in health.
Bedroom Basics
tie it closed to protect the precious cargo.
When cold or flu strikes, the bedroom
is prone to become a veritable petri dish
of disease. rest is the best medicine, after
all, and what better place to recuperate
than snuggled up under the covers? even
when you’re not the one who is sick, you
may still find that afflicted family members will come knocking at your door,
looking for a little tLC.
if your spouse is ill, it’s a good idea to
avoid the bedroom altogether and sleep
on the couch or in the guest room until
the risk of infection subsides. if you do
find yourself sharing a bed with a sick
person, remember to always sleep behind
them. that way, you’ll be out of the line of
fire if and when they sneeze or cough.
No matter who has the sniffles, make
sure that used tissues don’t end up in a
pile on the floor beside the bed. throw
them away immediately—preferably in a
trash can with a lid.
perhaps the most effective way to stop
the spread of germs in the bedroom is to
wash pillows and bedding daily with hot
water and bleach when someone is sick.
research has shown that laundering fabrics in hot water (81 to 90 C) reduces the
risk of infection by about 30 percent.
Bathroom Makeover
Prevention in the Playroom
in a mere 30 minutes, a child is liable
to touch as many as 300 objects. Germs
love those odds. even in health, curious
little fingers are bound to come into
contact with a contaminated surface. And
when you’ve got a sick kid at home, crosscontamination is practically inevitable.
parents need to be extra vigilant and step
up the disinfecting if they want to have
any chance at preventing the spread of
illness.
For hard plastic toys, wash, wipe and
rinse with water to start. then soak toys
for 10 minutes in a mixture comprised
of 180 millilitres (3/4 cup) bleach and 3.8
litres (1 gallon) water. Always rinse and
allow toys to air dry before putting them
back in your children’s hands.
And don’t forget about their stuffed
animals! plush toys can and should be
laundered regularly right in the washing
machine. Simply place in a pillowcase and
Most of the time, routine cleaning and a
bit of hygiene common sense are enough
to protect your family in the bathroom.
but when someone is sick, its shared facilities make the space a hotbed for crosscontamination, and it’s important to take
some extra precautions.
For starters, be sure to disinfect all
surfaces daily, including the mirror,
countertops, sink and faucet, toilet, etc.
(See “don’t Forget to disinfect…” for a
comprehensive list of household surfaces
where germs can hide.)
you may also want to switch from a
communal hand towel to disposable
towels or assign each family member
their own reusable towel. Launder (in hot
water, of course!) all bathroom towels
more frequently—daily if possible—in
the face of illness.
Around the sink, a few small changes
can make a big impact. First, replace any
common water glasses with disposable
cups for the duration of the infection.
Second, if you use bar soap, keep it in a
self-draining holder that can be cleaned
thoroughly between bars. Finally, store
each person’s toothbrush separately
when someone in the house is sick.
Kitchen clean-up
Of all the rooms in the house, the
germiest, gnarliest, by far, is the kitchen.
this hot zone not only harbours cold and
flu viruses, but also food-borne diseases.
As such, the following tips are good practice year-round, beyond bouts of seasonal
illness.
As in the bathroom, use paper towels
instead of shared hand towels and disinfect the sink and counters daily. don’t
use sponges or non-disposable cleaning
cloths unless you change them every day
and launder them in hot water. Germs
thrive on moist surfaces. A sponge or
dishrag can actually spread bacteria from
one surface to another.
instead, always keep a stash of Clorox
disinfecting Wipes on hand in the kitchen
(clorox.ca). With proper use, they kill 99.9
percent of germs, including the viruses
that cause the flu as well as common bac-
When cold or flu strikes,
the bedroom is prone to
become a veritable Petri
dish of disease.
teria, such as staphylococcus, salmonella
and e. coli. the durable wipes are even
tough enough to tackle baked-on grease
while still gentle enough to use on most
kitchen surfaces—from laminate to stainless steel to tile.
to disinfect, wipe down the surface,
allow to remain wet for 10 minutes, then
let dry. Surfaces that may come into contact with food should be rinsed after disinfecting. When you’re done, simply toss
the wipe in the recycling bin and consider
yourself germ-free!
don’t forget to disinfect…
Germs are hiding in your home, even
as we speak. Use this handy checklist of
household hotspots to ensure that you
have all your surfaces covered.
• door handles
• Light switches
• banisters
• telephones (keypads and handsets)
• pdAs
• personal entertainment devices
(e.g. ipod, Nintendo dS, etc.)
• remote controls
• Video game controllers
• Computer keyboard
• Mouse
• Stapler
• desktop
• Children’s toys and stuffed animals
• Stroller
• Change table
• diaper pail
• bedside tables
• kitchen counter
• kitchen sink and faucet
• Cabinet doors and handles
• Major appliances (i.e. microwave,
dishwasher, refrigerator, oven)
• Countertop appliances
• dish cloths and sponges
• Garbage/recycling receptacles
• High chairs and high chair trays
• pet’s food and water bowls
• Litter boxes
• Mirrors
• bathroom sinks and faucets
• bathroom counters
• bathtub
• Shower
• toilet seats and handles
• toilet paper holders
did You Know…
the germiest household surface?
top prize goes to the kitchen sink,
followed by the dishrag or sponge.
of all the rooms in the house,
the germiest, gnarliest, by far, is
the kitchen. This hot zone not only
harbours cold and flu viruses, but
also food-borne diseases. As such,
the following tips are good practice
year-round, beyond bouts of
seasonal illness.
The importance of a strong
immune system.
The immune system is your
body’s internal defence
mechanism, protecting you
from germs that circulate in
the environment. Factors
such as stress, fatigue, poor
diet and travel can weaken
these defences, leaving you
vulnerable to illness.
Fortunately, the active ingredients in IMMUNITY-FXTM
strengthen your body’s natural defences by stimulating
both your innate immunity (the one you were born with)
and your adaptive immunity (the one you’ve acquired
over time). Brought to you by the makers of
COLD-FX®, Canada’s #1 selling cold remedy†,
IMMUNITY-FX is scientifically proven to provide
health benefits by enhancing the immune system.
Recommended for adults and children 12 years of
age and older: Take 1 capsule 2 times a day.
TM
Live Healthy
†Nielsen MarketTrack National all Channel service for the categories of Cold Remedies and Supplements & Products, 52 weeks
ending September 26, 2009.
®/TM Trademarks owned by Afexa Life Sciences Inc.
Always
read
and foll
ow
© Afexa Life Sciences Inc (2009).
the labe
l.
Fast Relief from Coughs,
Sore Throats and Nasal Congestion.
Distributed by TFB & Associates Limited
® Trademark of Lofthouse of Fleetwood Ltd.
www.fishermansfriend.ca
6
AN iNdepeNdeNt SUppLeMeNt tO tHe NAtiONAL pOSt
cold n’ flu
Coping with Congestion
To drug or not to drug? It is possible to effectively
treat your cold and flu symptoms without the
meds. Here’s how.
We’ve all been there: you can’t sleep, you can’t focus;
you’re stuffed up and fed up. the discomfort is enough to
drive a sane person mad. especially when you consider
the fact that the most common causes of congestion—
namely the cold and flu—are without a cure. All you can
do is rest up and treat the symptoms as they come.
C
ongestion occurs when the
mucus membranes of the nose
and throat become inflamed in
response to an irritant. the blood vessels lining those passages expand and
fill with excess blood in order to facilitate
increased mucus production. your runny
nose is actually a healing mechanism; it’s
your body’s way of trying to flush out foreign invaders. Unfortunately, the resultant
airway constriction also makes it difficult
to breathe.
Over-the-counter medications do
offer congestion relief, but that welcome
respite often comes with a host of unwelcome side effects, including drowsiness,
increased blood pressure and anxiety.
decongestants, while effective, actually
work against your body’s natural healing
mechanisms by restricting blood flow to
the nose and throat. but don’t despair.
there are plenty of natural remedies that
can also help to ease the pain of congestion. Here are five drug-free fixes you can
try at home.
1. Go for a steam.
breathing moist air helps to lubricate
dried out nasal passages and ease sore
throat pain. it also offers some much
needed relaxation. indulge in a steamy
shower several times a day when you’re
feeling congested. Likewise, moist heat
compresses applied directly to the cheeks
and sinuses will also help you breathe easier. Standing over a sink full of hot water
or using a humidifier offer similar benefits.
Up the ante by adding a few drops of eu-
calyptus oil to the water, which is known
to help open bronchial tubes and ease
congestion.
2. Call on an old friend.
For temporary relief, reach for Fisherman’s Friend Original extra Strong lozenges (fishermansfriend.ca). the tough
little suckers have been soothing coughs
and nasal congestion on land and at sea
since 1865. though they are now also
available in Sugar Free refreshing Mint
and Low Sugar Cherry, Fisherman’s Friend
lozenges are still made using the same
tried-and-true all-natural recipe, which
contains proven congestion-busting ingredients menthol, eucalyptus oil, tragacanth and licorice.
3. Give a Neti pot a try.
A Neti pot is a small ceramic container
used for nasal saline irrigation. At first
glance, it could be mistaken for a genie’s
magic lamp. though it won’t grant you
three wishes, it can be very effective in
relieving nasal congestion by watering
down mucus and flushing virus particles
and bacteria from your nose. to use, fill
the Neti pot with saline solution: dissolve
1.25 milliliters (1/4 teaspoon) salt, 1.25 mL
(1/4 tsp) baking soda in 235 mL (8 ounces)
warm water. Lean over the sink with your
head tilted to one side and pour the liquid
directly into the top nostril. Let the salt
water run through your nasal cavity and
out your other nostril and mouth. blow
your nose and repeat.
4. Wind down with a hot toddy.
Warm liquids relieve nasal congestion,
prevent dehydration and soothe the inflamed membranes lining your nose and
throat. A hot toddy is an age-old bedtime
remedy comprised of herbal tea, 5 mL (1
tsp) honey and, of course, a shot of whisky
or bourbon. best to cut yourself off after
one as too much alcohol can be counterproductive and actually further inflame
those mucus membranes. Other soothing
hot beverages include Organic throat
Coat (ca.traditionalmedicinals.com/nhp/
product/102), an herbal tea containing
marshmallow and licorice, or a simple cup
of warm water with lemon and honey,
which will help loosen congestion and
relieve a cough.
5. Strip down before bed.
Nasal strips, such as breathe right
(breatheright.ca), offer relief when you
need it most: at bedtime. the pain and discomfort of nasal congestion due to cold,
flu or allergies are bad enough without
adding exhaustion to the roster of symptoms. Worn over the nose while you sleep,
the strips apply an outward force to the
nasal vestibule, which causes the airway
to dilate and provides instant congestion
relief. breathe right strips are the only
nasal dilator strips that have been clinically shown to improve airway constriction throughout the night (by a remarkable 31 percent!). they can also be used in
conjunction with over-the-counter meds,
if you so desire.
did You Know…
More than just a cough drop, Fisherman’s Friend also makes a mean
cup of tea. dissolve your favourite
Fisherman’s Friend lozenge in a mug
of herbal tea for a soothing hot beverage.
Flu 411 What it is, what it
ain’t and everything in between.
What Is the Flu?
Simply put, influenza (a.k.a. the flu) is a
common respiratory illness that attacks
the nose, throat, bronchi and, in rare cases
the lungs. it affects an estimated 10 to 25
percent of Canadians annually. in North
America, the risk of infection is greatest
during flu season, which runs from November through April, but local outbreaks
occur worldwide year-round.
the flu is caused by one of the many
influenza viruses, which fall into three
groups: A, b and C. each group is further
broken down into different strains, such as
A(H3N2) or A(H1N1). the genetic makeup
of influenza viruses allows for frequent
mutation, making it impossible for the
human body to sustain immunity over
time on its own. Flu vaccines—the only
surefire way to protect yourself from
infection—are reformulated annually to
account for these changes.
influenza A and b are the most prevalent types and pose the highest risk to
humans. As such, they are included in the
seasonal flu vaccine each year. influenza
C, on the other hand, is less common and
causes only mild illness in comparison to
A and b. it is not typically included in the
vaccine.
the World Health Organization’s (WHO)
Global influenza Surveillance Network is
responsible for recommending the annual
flu vaccine. this network of more than
100 National influenza Centres in nearly
as many countries constantly monitors
which viruses are currently circulating in
humans and rapidly identifies new strains.
based on its findings, WHO recommends
an annual vaccine that targets the most
virulent strains.
More Than Just a Cold…
Although flu symptoms often mirror
those of the common cold, the latter are
typically milder and come on more slowly.
When the flu strikes, it does so with a bang
and, more often than not, a fever. both illnesses share many of the same symptoms,
including a sore throat, cough and stuffy
nose, but a cold rarely presents with a
temperature of more than 38 C. body and
muscle aches are also more common with
the flu.
A Case of Mistaken Identity
the common cold isn’t the only illness
masquerading as the flu. Viral gastroenteritis is often referred to as the “stomach
flu,” despite the fact that the two illnesses
have little in common other than a high
risk of contagion. Gastroenteritis—
whether caused by rotavirus, Norwalk
or another virus—is marked by stomach
cramps, diarrhea and vomiting. Although
these symptoms can present in children
with the flu, they are extremely rare in
adults. Fever and body ache—two hallmarks of influenza—are also atypical of
gastroenteritis.
Pandemic Flu
these days, it’s pandemic flu that’s on
the tip of everyone’s tongues. it refers to
a new strain of influenza that is able to
spread quickly around the globe as humans have little to no immunity against
it by virtue of its novelty. Although the flu
virus is constantly evolving, people who
have had previous bouts of influenza
will still usually possess some protection against similar strains of the virus.
However, every quarter century or so, a
radical enough change occurs such that
humans have never experienced anything
like it before and are thus completely
vulnerable. this was what happened in
2009 when pandemic H1N1, or swine flu,
erupted around the world.
Avian Flu
Of lesser concern to humans, but worth
noting nonetheless, is avian influenza, or
bird flu, a type A virus. For most Canadians, the risk of contracting the disease
is quite low. it is primarily found in birds
and transmitted through their droppings
and secretions. However, given the innate
mutative ability of flu viruses, there is a
chance that avian influenza could mix
with a human flu virus and lead to an
outbreak of pandemic flu, and thus it is
worth our attention. people who handle
wild birds are at the highest risk of infection and should take proper precautions
when working with fowl.
DRUG-FREE
Nasal Strips
Drug Free Relief from Nighttime
Nasal Congestion
You know what it’s like to put up with a blocked nose. Not
only is it hard to breathe, but it also makes it difficult to
get a proper, restful sleep. Sleep also plays an important
role in helping us recover from illness.
Improves Ease of Breathing
by at least 50-80%*
Breathe Right Nasal Strips are clinically proven to
instantly relieve nasal congestion and can help cold and
allergy sufferers breathe better so they can sleep better.
Breathe Right ® Nasal Strips can be used with any cold and
flu remedy for instant congestion relief.
®
*Source: As reported by sufferers. GSK Data on file.
29865_BreatheRight_Ad.indd 1
Breathe Right ® Nasal Strips patented reflex design
gently lifts the nostrils, opening the nose to
instantly relieve nasal congestion.
✃
Save 2.
$
00
DRUG-FREE
Nasal Strips
On any size Breathe Right® Nasal Strips
TO THE DEALER: GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Inc. will reimburse the face value of the
coupon plus our specified handling fee provided you accept it from your customer on the purchase
of any Breathe Right® Nasal Strips. Other applications may constitute fraud. Failure to send in, on
request, evidence that sufficient stock was purchased in previous 90 days to cover coupons
presented will void coupons. Coupons submitted become property of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer
Healthcare Inc. Reimbursement will be made only to retail distributior who redeemed coupon.
A reduction in GST payable and Provincial Sales Tax, where applicable is included in the coupon
face value. For redemption, mail to: GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Inc., Box 3000, Saint
John, NB E2L 4L3. *ONLY VALID IN CANADA. VOID WHERE
PROHIBITED. *LIMIT: ONE COUPON PER PURCHASE, NO
FACSIMILES. Offer Expires: June 30, 2010.
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Inc.
83827570
1/27/10 11:47:31 AM
7
AN iNdepeNdeNt SUppLeMeNt tO tHe NAtiONAL pOSt
cold n’ flu
It’s Complicated…The flu—in any
form—should not be taken lightly. unlike its partner
in crime, the common cold, this seasonal offender
boasts a rap sheet rife with serious, even fatal,
complications.
Ah, cold and flu. the pair are so often mentioned in tandem it’s as though they’ve become one all-encompassing term in the popular vernacular: coldandflu. they are the
brangelina of seasonal illnesses (though not nearly as pleasant to look at).
N
ot that the link isn’t understandable: the two viral infections
share many of the same symptoms—from the stuffy nose to the hacking cough to the scratchy sore throat—
and both are most likely to strike in the
winter months. However, whereas common cold complications (e.g. sinusitis,
bronchitis, ear infections) are rarely lifethreatening and are usually easily treated
at home with prescription medication,
the health implications of influenza can
be much more serious, leading to hospitalization and even death.
Worldwide, annual flu epidemics are
thought to be responsible for anywhere
between 250,000 and 500,000 deaths
each year. in Canada alone, approximately
10 to 25 per cent of the population fall
ill over the course a typical flu season,
resulting in 20,000 hospitalizations and
4,000 deaths, on average. during severe
influenza A outbreaks, those statistics can
jump significantly: Up to 50 per cent of
Canadians may become infected, leading
to 30,000 to 40,000 hospitalizations and a
staggering 6,000 to 8,000 deaths.
As with the cold, flu complications can
include ear infections and sinusitis, but
their reach extends even further to the
following, more serious ailments: myositis
(muscle inflammation), pericarditis (an infection of the sac surrounding the heart),
dehydration and infections of the central
nervous system. they can also lead to a
worsening of chronic medical conditions,
such as congestive heart failure, asthma
and diabetes.
the most prevalent and deadly complication of the flu is pneumonia, an infection of the lungs in which the alveoli
(air sacs) fill with pus and mucus. this
inflammation reduces the lungs’ elasticity, prohibiting oxygen from reaching the
blood stream properly. pneumonia typically presents as one of two types—viral
or bacterial—both of which can have
serious health implications.
Viral pneumonia is the lesser of the
two evils. its symptoms, which include
(but are not limited to) a low-grade fever,
coughing up small amounts of mucus,
fatigue and muscle aches, tend to come
on slowly and are usually mild enough
that they will improve without medical
intervention—though in some more extreme cases, hospitalization may become
necessary. in those situations, antiviral
drugs are prescribed as treatment.
bacterial pneumonia is far more worrisome. it causes people to feel very
sick, very quickly. the most common
symptoms are an expulsive cough
that produces rust- or green-coloured
phlegm, a high fever (up to 41 C), chills,
increased heart rate, shortness of breath,
chest pains and bluish lips or fingernails
due to lack of oxygen. bacterial pneumonia is commonly caused by the bacteria
streptococcus pneumonaie and can be
treated at home with antibiotics but may
sometimes require a hospital stay for
special respiratory therapy or intravenous
treatment.
A less common, but equally serious
complication of the flu is reye’s syndrome, which occurs exclusively in children under the age of 18 who have been
given salicylates (aspirin) as treatment,
usually for fever. reye’s syndrome causes
damage to the central nervous system
and liver, and can be fatal. Never give
aspirin to children or teenagers with the
flu unless you are specifically instructed
to do so by a doctor.
the highest rates of secondary infection and clinical illness following the
flu are found in children, but serious
complications and deaths occur mainly
in the elderly over 65 years of age. Other
high-risk populations include pregnant
women and those with preexisting health
conditions, such as chronic heart, liver or
kidney disease, asthma or chronic lung
disease, blood disorders, diabetes, severe
obesity or a weakened immune system
due to cancer or HiV/AidS.
people with these risk factors should
call their doctor immediately upon the
appearance of flu-like symptoms. Antiviral flu medications, such as tamiflu or
relenza, are helpful in reducing one’s
chance of developing complications.
though these drugs won’t cure the flu,
they can reduce the amount of time
you’re sick by one or two days and make
you less contagious to others if taken
within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.
better yet, the government of Canada
encourages all Canadians, especially
those with an increased risk for complications from influenza, to get the flu shot
annually as well as the H1N1 vaccine. the
pneumococcal vaccine, which provides
immunity against 23 types of bacteria
that commonly cause pneumonia, is also
recommended for the aforementioned
high-risk groups except pregnant women
as its safety for that population has yet to
be fully evaluated.
A Turn for the Worse…
Seek medical attention immediately if
you notice any of the following severe flu
symptoms.
• persistent fever (> 3 days)
• painful swallowing
• persistent cough (> 2 to 3 weeks)
• persistent congestion (>1 week)
• bloody mucus or spit
• Severe chest pain
• Shortness of breath, rapid or difficulty
breathing
• Symptoms (e.g. fever, cough) improve
but then return, worse than before.
• Low blood pressure
• blue/grey lips or skin
• Sudden dizziness or confusion
• Severe headache
• infrequent urination
• Frequent vomiting
Supplemental
Knowledge
boost your understanding of cold- and flu-friendly supplements, and good health will follow.
Vitamin c
Although there is some debate as to
supplementary vitamin C’s effectiveness
in treating and preventing the common
cold, it remains an essential nutrient and
powerful antioxidant of great benefit to
the immune system. According to the
Complementary and Alternative Medicine review board, regular use of vitamin
C supplements can slightly reduce the
severity and duration of cold symptoms.
However, when taken as treatment at the
onset of illness, vitamin C proved no more
beneficial than a placebo.
Recommended dose: 500 to 1,000 mg daily
Echinacea
this flowering plant is most commonly
used to treat upper respiratory infections and sore throats. Again, contrary to
popular opinion, research into echinacea
and the common cold has yielded mixed
results. However, there are many variables
to consider (different studies looked at
different types of echinacea and even
different parts of the plant), which make
it difficult to directly compare the results
and may account for some of the inconsistencies amongst the findings.
recommended dose: 300 to 600 mg
twice daily
Vitamin d
there is no question as to this vitamin/
hormone’s benefit to the immune system.
in fact, a recent study out of Oregon State
University revealed that vitamin d is so
crucial to human immunochemistry that
its ability to boost immune function and
destroy invading microorganisms has
been preserved in the genome for over 60
million years. Vitamin d deficiency has not
only been linked to an increased risk of
influenza, but also of cancer, autoimmune
disease and overall mortality.
Recommended dose: 1,000 IU daily
Immunity-fX
the latest offering from the makers
of Cold-FX is meant to be taken daily to
strengthen the immune system. Like its
older brother, immunity-FX is a highly purified, standardized product derived from
North American ginseng root. the active
ingredient in both, CVt-e002, has been
shown in numerous studies to stimulate
both the innate and adaptive immune
responses. in fact, one study published in
the Canadian Medical Association Journal
in October 2005 observed a 25 percent
risk reduction in the average number of
colds and a 31 percent drop in the severity of symptoms with Cold-FX. the duration of illness also lessened. What sets
immunity-FX apart is the addition of reishi mushroom extract to the formulation.
reishi has been used in natural medicine
for over 2,000 years and contains various
compounds with potent immuno-modulating capabilities.
Recommended dose: one capsule twice
daily
Probiotics
these “friendly bacteria” are actually
natural inhabitants of the intestinal tract.
they protect the body from invaders,
activate immune cells and increase the
activity of natural killer cells. However, our
digestive system’s natural flora is easily
disturbed. in such cases, probiotic supplementation can help the body rebuild
healthy populations of protective bacteria and recapture the significant immune
benefits. Look for a product that is stable
at room temperature and contains at least
three billion live cells.
Recommended dose: one to three capsules daily after meals or as directed by your
healthcare provider
Homeopathic Remedies
Homeopathic remedies work very
differently than herbs or conventional
medicines to stimulate the immune system. they use very highly diluted doses
of substances to gently encourage the
body’s own healing mechanisms. both
mucococcinum and oscillococcinum (Oscillo) have been shown in clinical trials to
be effective in treating seasonal flu.
recommended dose: one tablet per
week throughout flu season for prevention (mucococcinum); one entire unitdose tube every six hours from the first
sign of flu until symptoms disappear
(Oscillo)
Note: Specific nutritional needs vary
from person to person, and some vitamins and herbs can react adversely with
certain medications. Speak to your doctor
or naturopath before embarking on any
supplementation regimen.
cold or flu? decipher Your Symptoms
SYMPTOM
COLD
FLU
Fever
rhinitis (nasal congestion)
Sore throat
Cough
Fatigue
Myalgia (muscle pain)
Headache
Gastric distress (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)
Lack of appetite
rare. Mild (< 38 C) if present at all; more common in children than adults.
typical. Nose drips, watery secretions for few days; mucus becomes thicker and darker.
typical. One of first symptoms; goes away after day or two.
typical. Mild to moderate; can last up to two weeks.
Sometimes. Never extreme.
rare. Mild if present at all.
Sometimes.
rare.
Sometimes. depends on virus strain.
typical. High (> 38 C); sudden onset; lasts three to four days.
Common.
Common.
typical. Usually dry, non-productive.
typical. Can initially be extreme; lasts two to three weeks.
Common.
Common.
Sometimes. H1N1 more common in children than adults for seasonal flu.
Common.
Beyond Laundry:
The Power of Bleach
it’s the most widely available, affordable disinfectant on
earth. And using it around the house could save your life.
So why are so many Canadians still relegating it to the
laundry room?
S
ure, it whitens whites. but bleach
can do so much more than just
your laundry, including kill the
germs that cause the cold and flu. Along
with getting the flu shot and washing
your hands regularly and properly, using
bleach around the house to disinfect
common surfaces is one of the best things
you can do to protect yourself and your
family from seasonal viruses.
Cold and flu germs are persistent little
buggers. rhinoviruses—the most prevalent type of cold virus—can live on surfaces for as long as three hours, while the
flu virus boasts an even more impressive
survival rate of up to 72 hours. in other
words, they’re everywhere, and it’s up to
you to stop them.
but cleaning alone isn’t enough to get
rid of them. Cleaning only removes dirt
and stains; disinfecting kills germs and
stops the spread of infection. that’s where
bleach comes in.
the concept is nothing new. indeed,
household bleach has been used for generations as a disinfectant, gaining popularity in the late 19th century following
French scientist Louis pasteur’s discovery
that sodium hypochlorite (the active ingredient in liquid bleach) is extremely effective in killing disease-causing bacteria.
What sets bleach apart is its ability to
penetrate the tough outer shell of infectious microbes and attack the proteins
essential for bacterial growth. Sodium hypochlorite causes those proteins to clump
together, in effect, killing the bacteria.
bleach’s disinfecting power is recognized around the globe. in fact, the world’s
leading public health agencies, the World
Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for disease Control and prevention
(CdC), both recommend its household
use on non-porous surfaces to help control the spread of illness.
even when it’s whitening your whites,
bleach still works to reduce your risk of
disease. One US study from the National
institute of Nursing research found that
those who used bleach in their laundry
had one-fourth the infection rate of those
who did not.
So why isn’t everyone using bleach to
disinfect their homes? despite its obvious
merits, bleach has gotten a bad rap of late.
Many people falsely believe that the product is an environmental hazard.
the misunderstanding is largely a
problem of semantics. Household bleach
is often incorrectly referred to as chlorine
bleach. As such, environmental concerns
about chlorine are extended to the prod-
uct. the truth is, although chlorine is used
in its production, what’s in the bottle is
sodium hypochlorite. there is no free
chlorine present in household bleach.
bleach begins as salt and water and returns to the earth the same way; it is a sustainable cycle. Claims that it contaminates
ground water are unfounded. during consumer use and disposal, approximately
95 to 98 per cent of household bleach is
broken down into its component parts;
the remaining two to five per cent is effectively treated by sewer or septic systems.
Nevertheless, household bleach is a
powerful chemical and should be used
around the home with care. it’s a good
idea to wear rubber gloves and, if you’re
sensitive to chemicals, a mask, when handling the product. to disinfect surfaces,
first dilute bleach in water: Combine 60
millilitres (1/4 cup) bleach with 3.8 litres
(1 gallon) H20. Make a fresh batch daily
as bleach will start to break down quickly
once it has been diluted. And remember,
always allow bleach solution to sit on contaminated surfaces for 10 minutes before
rinsing to ensure disinfection.
did You Know…
A single sneeze can send flu-infested
water droplets as far as three feet.
Natural Solutions for Living
a Clean and Healthy Life!
Available wherever books are sold and online.

Download Report