Organizational Priority: Flu Shots and Winter Colds Prevention

I was shocked when my Google news alert sent word a week ago that the flu has already arrived in some parts of Virginia! It’s time to think about strategies for staying healthy this winter.

Flu Shots

I immediately packed up the family and took us out to get our flu shots. After a bit of hollering from my two youngest, we were done. A cute mom waiting outside the clinic with her daughter teased, “Mom, was that you making all that noise about your flu shot?” It takes about 2 weeks from the time you get the shot until you are fully protected. We are just hoping to stay healthy for another week!

If you don’t have your flu shot already, make a priority this week to get it. There are so many serious viruses going around this fall. I am keeping an eye on the news about the enterovirus strain that is so frightening.

While I can’t do anything about enterovirus, I can do something about flu risk. Many of us think of the flu as more of an inconvenience than deadly but the flu does kill children every year. Last year, someone here in Virginia lost their child to the flu. Also, if you are in a high risk group, like being pregnant or having a chronic illness, make sure you get that shot as your risk of flu complications is so much higher.

So, we need to all take this seriously. If you can be vaccinated, I hope that you will.

In the United States, how many people receive flu shots? Last year, close to 60% of all children were vaccinated, including 74% of children under age 2. Approximately 42% of all adults were vaccinated, including 65% of those age 65 and older.

Food As Medicine

As you think about your toolkit for staying healthy this winter, consider some of these nutritional strategies. Science is learning more and more every day about the importance of our gut bacteria in keeping us healthy. Take advantage of every opportunity you have to eat garlic, onions, citrus and ginger!

• 11 Natural Ways to Fight A Cold from naturopath Claire Georgiou at Reboot with Joe
• Kill-A-Cold Sandwich from Good Old Days Farm
• Goop Winter Detox (this was the 3-day program that healed my bronchitis and severe cold last winter when even antibiotics failed me)

Cleaning As Prevention

Two tools we should all have ready are baby wipes and disinfectant spray. Have a large pack of baby wipes or bottle of hand sanitizer in your car and use them after visiting any public place, like the grocery store, gas station, library, children’s sports and after-school activities, etc. Ask your children to remind you to wipe their hands as they buckle their seat belt every time you get in the car. Children are notorious for putting their fingers in their mouths and eyes–the prime way viruses are spread. Also, have a spray bottle of disinfectant cleaner in your home and task your children with helping to spray down surfaces like countertops, doorknobs and light switches as part of their chores. We recently discovered the scented Lysol cleaners that smell wonderful and claim they are just as effective when diluted.

Be well this winter!

*I am not affiliated with any product mentioned here.