Vaccination is NOT the Only Way to Help Prevent the Flu!

You can still protect yourself from the flu even if you are not included in a priority group for the flu season this year, or if no vaccines are available . These simple actions can stop the spread of germs and help protect you from getting sick.

• Avoid close contact - Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick.
• Keep your children home when they are sick - You will prevent others from catching your illness.
• Cover your mouth and nose - Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
• Clean your hands - Washing your hands often will protect you from germs.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth - Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.

Other good habits, such as getting plenty of sleep, engaging in physical activity, managing stress, drinking water and eating good food, will help you stay healthy in the winter and all year.

12 Tips to Prevent Colds and Flu the "Natural" Way

Since there are no known cures for colds and flu, prevention must be your goal. A proactive approach to warding off colds and flu is apt to make your whole life healthier. The most effective way to prevent flu, frankly, is to get the flu shot. That may not be natural, but it works better than anything else. But there are strategies you can employ as well. WebMD went to Charles B. Inlander, president of The People's Medical Society, for suggestions you may want to try:

• Wash your hands.
• Don't cover your sneezes and coughs with your hands use a tissue.
• Don't touch your face (germs enter through the eyes, nose and mouth).
• Drink Plenty of fluids.
• Take a Sauna ( the temperature is too high for the germs to survive)..
• Get fresh air.
• Do aerobic exercise regularly.
• Eat foods containing Phytochemicals (dark green, red or yellow vegetables and fruit).
• Eat yogurt ( bacteria in yogurt can stimulate the immune system and fight disease).
• Don't smoke.
• Cut alcohol consumption.
• Relax, when you do your interleukins-leaders in the immune system response against colds and flu viruses-increase in your blood stream.

For further information check the WebMD web site.