Contagion

Everywhere I look someone is sneezing, coughing, dripping, barfing. It’s full on contagion outside and I’m afraid to leave my house for fear of exposure.

Almost every one of my friends has been struck down by this flu; forced to take their fevers to bed for 2-4 days of nonstop shivering, shaking, and sweating, and consuming so much DayQuil and NyQuil it’s surprising it’s still an over-the-counter drug.

Unlike the common cold which causes an influx of snot for a solid week or so, this flu has people complaining of body aches so painful the sheets hurt their skin. Some are even reporting the stomach flu which, let’s face it, takes relationships to a whole new level. (If your loved one stood by you through 24-hours of excretion, he or she is a keeper.)

Normally when a plague hits I go down hard; tissues stuffed up my nose, mouth breathing in full effect, and a throat so scratchy it feels like a cat is down there sharpening his nails. But as I’ve watched person after person get struck down by this flu, I’ve taken even more precaution.

So far my safeguard has worked; I’ve managed to stay healthy while being exposed to a number of friends and subway riders hacking up an infectious lung on my sleeve. However, whenever I feel the slightest tingle in the throat or ache in my back, I take the following assortment of drugs to fight whatever gremlins are sneaking into my system.

Now, before I go any further, let me announce that I am not a doctor. So, while this method of flu prevention works for me, it may do absolutely nothing for you.

1.) Wellness Formula — This pill is designed to help boost your immune system, particularly when you are stressed or exposed to germs. While it tends to smell like crap (I suggest buying the capsules over the tablets), I find that taking 4-5 pills twice a day at the onset of sickness kicks those evil parasites right out of your system. You can purchase these at Whole Foods, Trader Joes, and any vitamin store.

2.) Yin Chiao –  This herbal supplement is for that first second you start feeling a cold or flu. I take 4-6 of these every couple of hours for 1-2 days when I start feeling a bit icky. Most people think herbal supplements are total poppycock but they’ve helped me tremendously.

3. Emergen-C – A lot of people I know drink one Emergen-C a day. I don’t. I think that once you start introducing something into your system on a daily basis, your body gets used to it. So, at the first signs of sickness, I drink one Emergen-C while taking the aforementioned Wellness Formula and Yin Chiao. This forces me to get all of the Vitamin C into my body (8-10 pills requires a lot of liquid), and then I’m done for the day.

Whether you’ve had the flu or are living in fear of it, I hope these suggestions keep you flu free or help you from getting the plague in the future.