Coughs and sneezes spread disease,

catch the germs in your handkerchief.

This was a rhyme we recited many times in my childhood growing up in England. And of course, we would never go anywhere without a handkerchief in our pockets. But this simple little habit seems to have gone  by the wayside.

The flu is not the same as the common cold and it can be quite a serious disease. For some, such as the elderly or those with underlying medical conditions, as well as pregnant women, young children and people with suppressed immune systems, the flu can cause serious complications which may even require hospitalisation and can sometimes lead to death.

Symptoms include fever, cough, muscular aches and pain, fatigue, sore throat, runny nose and a headache – much the same as a cold. Getting vaccinated is only one solution.

There are some dietary changes that will help build resistance and some tips which, if everyone practised would stop the germs from spreading

• Wash you hands often, not just after the toilet but before handling food or crockery which is intended for use by someone else.
• Also at the office, before using the phone or the keyboard.
• Cover your sneeze with a tissue and not your hands. Throw the tissue away immediately.
• Drink plenty of fluids to keep your system in balance
• Get regular exercise to keep your blood flowing, help oxygenate and increase your sweating to help stregthen your own virus killing defences
• Eat vegetables and fruits to keep your levels of vitamins and natural chemicals.
• Yogurt may help in the beneficial bacteria stimulating your immune system
• Cut alcohol to reduce dehydration and also assist your immune function
• Reduce your sugar intake if excessive as this also suppresses your immune system

Some specific assistance for short term assistance in combating flu are

• Zinc—When taken regularly or  within one day of the first symptoms, zinc can cut down the duration of a cold by about 24 hours. It was also understood to greatly reduce the severity of symptoms.
• Chicken soup—Chicken contains a natural amino acid called cysteine, which can thin the mucus in your lungs and make it less sticky so you can expel it more easily.
• Whole Mushrooms—While most people think only of eating the round top of the mushroom (the part that grows above ground), most of the benefits are actually located in their complex root structure, called the mycelium.
• Vitamin C: A very potent antioxidant
• Oregano: Contains carvacrol which is an active antimicrobial agent.
• Propolis: or bee resin. Known as one of the most broad-spectrum antimicrobial compounds in the world and also aids  immune response.
• Olive leaf extract: Made from fresh leaves, it is widely known as a natural, non-toxic immune system builder.