Are you in a flu hot spot? Just log onto google.org/flutrends/us/ and Google Flu Trends will show if flu is rampant in your state. Google experts have found that searches for flu-related topics are good indicators of the amount of flu in an area, so they're using the numbers of flu searches to estimate the incidence of flu in real time instead of waiting for doctors and health organizations to report an influx of patients.
Google says they've compared their methods to traditional flu surveillance systems, and they compare favorably — but Google info is updated daily and has the advantage of alerting both patients and doctors to emerging outbreaks before they become widespread.
Although informative, the maps are of limited use, says Newsmax Health expert Dr. Erika Schwartz, chief medical officer of AgeMD. "When you look at flu activity, the Google map says the risk is moderate for Nevada. But the only thing it is really telling you is that area is reporting more flu activity than others, and if you live in that state, you should be more aware to take precautions like washing your hands," she tells Newsmax Health.
"In addition to washing your hands, you should eat right, get plenty of sleep, and don't drink alcohol," she says, "but these are practices we should be following every day."
Should you get a flu shot? "I don't recommend them," says Dr. Schwartz. "I think data shows that people who take flu shots for three or five years or more have more Alzheimer's and immune and auto-immune disorders. Since we don't know long-term effects of the vaccine, unless you are at high risk of getting a disease from the flu that may kill you, you're better off getting the flu than taking the flu shot."
And if you catch the flu? What then? "First, don't go running to your doctor," she says. "A doctor can't do much about the flu. It's a viral disease, and there's no medication for it.
"People don't die from the flu; they die from the aftermath of the flu," Dr. Schwartz says, "What you want to do is to prevent the flu from becoming a bacterial infection that can kill you."
Instead of running to your doctor, Dr. Erika advises the following:
• Boost your immune system. "Take vitamin C and products like Immune Defense with Lactoferrin, and Airborne. There is unequivocal data that shows these nutritional products help boost the immune system."
• Stay hydrated. "The No. 1 reason people with flu go to the emergency room is dehydration," says Dr. Schwartz. "Drink water, Gatorade, tea, and chicken broth. Since tea is dehydrating, drink a glass of water for each glass of tea.
• Stay comfortable. "Take aspirin and Tylenol for aches and pains."
• Get plenty of rest.
If you have the flu, should you take Tamiflu? "Absolutely not," says Dr. Schwartz. "There is no scientific evidence that shows Tamiflu decreases the length of the flu. As a matter of fact, it may make the flu worse — you'll get the flu six weeks later and be sick as a dog.
Dr. Schwartz' long-standing opinion about Tamiflu was backed yesterday by a report from the nonprofit Cochrane Collaboration which said Tamiflu isn't as safe and effective as its maker says. Their review also found it didn't reduce the number of people who were hospitalized because of flu.
"Tamiflu and similar products work by decreasing the reaction of your immune system," says Dr. Schwartz. "You don't want that — you WANT your immune system to react.
"You're much better off with vitamin C, Immune Defense, and similar products — they're natural and don't suppress your immune system."
Dr. Schwartz sees no reason to panic, even if the Google map says you are in a high-risk state. "Flu season has been relatively mild, and I don't see any reason why it won't remain mild.
"Fear of a pandemic is an outdated idea that's used to scare people into getting the vaccine," Dr. Schwartz says. "People know more about how to take care of themselves than in the past such as using good hygiene and antibacterial products.
"We've created a much safer environment, and there's much less of a chance for a flu pandemic than in the past."
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