I really liked this posting at Web MD about surviving the flu. It has some very common sense pointers. Many of the articles I read seem to indicate that elders are not as likely to be caught up in the H1N1 pandemic. That said, it’s important to consider getting a flu vaccine, an H1N1 vaccine for swine flu, and a vaccine against pneumonia. Vaccines take at least 10 days to build full immunity, so don’t wait until your entire town is sick! Many of the tips here will sound familiar to seniors. They seem to echo what you heard growing up!

This article by Janelle Sorensen is a good read. I’ve edited a bit and added some comments in red. Let me know what you think! Deborah

‘Tis the season of sniffles, sneezes, fevers, and flu. And, this year brings an epidemic that has every parent on high alert. This winter we are fighting back, and you can too. Keep yourself and your family in tip-top shape by following these easy tips.

1. Get plenty of Zzzzz
Studies show that sleep deprivation can make you more susceptible to illness by reducing the number of cells in your body dedicated to fighting things like microbes. The average adult needs about 6-8 hours of sleep. A newborn may need up to 18 hours a day, toddlers require 12 to 13 hours, and preschoolers need about 10 hours (teens, too!).  Flu season is a great time to reinstitute a rest period for yourself. Nap if you want to!

2. Bust a family move
Exercising increases your sickness-fighting cells. Get  in the habit of exercising with family or friends to improve your health and to enjoy some quality time together. Try walking, hiking, biking, yoga, or just crank up some fun music and dance. Make sure you attend available exercise classes. Walk around the mall, or take the scenic route when food shopping.

3. Engage in germ warfare

  • Make sure everyone washes their hands often with soap. Ditch the antibacterials because research shows plain soap is just as effective. Sing the ABC’s while vigorously lathering palms, between fingers, around nail beds, and the backs of hands. Pay particular attention to hand hygiene before and after each meal, after playing outside, using the bathroom, handling pets, blowing noses, and after being anywhere in public. And make sure anyone coming into your home washes up first thing!
  • When you’re out and about, carry non-toxic wipes or hand sanitizer with you for quick cleanups.
  • If someone in the family gets sick, keep his toothbrush separate from everyone else’s. Give it a good soak in boiling water or run it through the dishwasher after the illness isn’t contagious anymore to get rid of any lingering germs or viruses.
  • Wash your hand towels in hot water every three or four days during cold and flu season.
  • Sneeze and cough into your arm or a tissue. Coughing into your hands puts the germs right where you can spread them to any object (or person) you touch. Get rid of used tissues often!

4. Drink up
You have probably heard how important it is to drink plenty of fluids when you are ill, but it’s just as important for preventing illness. Adequate hydration keeps the tissues of the respiratory system moist, which prevents microbes from settling in. Hydration also helps the immune system work properly. Opt for fresh, filtered water.

5. Air out
Open a window or two in your home just a crack for a few minutes each day. You’ll let out indoor air pollutants that may be stressing your immune systems as well as chase away germs.

6. Keep it cool
An overheated home promotes dry air, the perfect environment for viruses to thrive. And when your mucous membranes (i.e., nose, mouth, and tonsils) dry out, they can’t trap those germs very well. Lowering the heat in your house 5 degrees and using a room humidifier helps maintain a healthier level of humidity in the winter. Buy a hygrometer to measure humidity and keep your home at around 50 percent. As we age, it becomes more difficult to regulate body temperatue. Don’t just arbitraily lower your heat five degrees.Use your comfort level when wearing a warm sweater to judge how cool your house should be. Keeping plants well watered and a pan of water on the radiator helps with humidity.

7. Relax
Declare some time out each day. During these few minutes close your eyes, breathe deep, and think happy. Meditation reduces stress. Reduced stress means less susceptibility to illness.

8. Pump up with produce
Carrots, kiwis, raisins, green beans, oranges, strawberries: they all contain such immunity-boosting phytonutrients as vitamin C and carotenoids. Cruciferous vegetables including broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, are good sources of betacarotene and help protect against free-radical damage. They also contain vitamin C and calcium. Try to eat five servings of fruits and veggies a day. Try to eat at least half of them raw and when you do cook them, be careful not to overcook. Overcooking destroys the immune enhancing properties. Learn more about feeding your immune system.

9. Go easy on the sweets
Sugar makes the body acidic, just the way pathogens like it (they thrive on sugar). So especially during cold and flu season, reduce sugar intake (that includes corn syrup and High Fructose Corn Syrup, as well).

10. Take a supplement
Talk to your physician about your specific nutritional needs.