When was the last time you had symptoms of a cold or flu? Some people get the flu virus every year or several times a year. Whether it's a sore throat, sinus infection, bronchitis, or pneumonia, the flu virus can cause a variety of unwanted and even life-threatening symptoms and conditions. In this article, you'll learn how to help prevent the flu, which supplements and foods to include in your diet, and what steps you can take to recover if you do get the flu.
Colds
Rhinoviruses, which caused the common cold, have been replaced by influenza viruses, which are much more powerful. Today, it is likely that someone who experiences cold-like symptoms actually has a mild form of the flu. Another reason someone may have cold-like symptoms is that their body is doing an amazing job of fighting off any virus that tries to enter their body. Sneezing, sniffling, or a tickly throat are usually signs of a strain of the flu.
Flu season
Flu typically peaks in the fall and winter, but now there are flu waves that occur year-round — even in the summer. During these warmer months, people still experience symptoms of the flu virus, including sinus infections, heartburn, and bronchitis, so it's important to take protective measures year-round.
One reason for this never-ending flu season is the increase in international travel. When it's winter in one part of the world and the flu is rampant, people hop on planes and travel to places where it's summer, carrying the flu viruses with them.
Instead of thinking of seasons, think of flu viruses as cycles. Typically, a new flu appears on the horizon every six weeks.
Types of flu
Everyone reacts to the flu differently. Some people get a very high fever and delirium, while others have a low-grade fever and go about their lives without much trouble. One reason for these different reactions may be the many strains of flu that people get. Different strains cause different problems. Another factor is the strength of a person's immune system.
Secretions, bronchitis and pneumonia
People often mistake a significant build-up of mucus in their body for the stomach flu. In these cases, people often have a flu that is primarily related to their sinuses, and their stomach problems are from unintentionally swallowing so much mucus. As a result, they may experience severe bloating, loss of appetite, and/or coughing or vomiting related to the mucus.
Flu viruses create mucus that drains the most at night. Depending on the strain of the flu, you may not have a cough at first. But as the mucus drains into your chest and builds up in your lungs, you are more likely to develop one. After a few days, the mucus may start to break down or you may develop additional sinus problems that cause even more mucus to drain into your chest.
When these secretions stay in the chest for too long, bacteria can start to grow, leading to bronchitis. You may be told that these bacteria are bacterial pneumonia, but that is not true. Bacterial pneumonia is simply the diagnosis that the medical community has given to the condition because this bacteria is still a mystery to medical science and research.
The problem bacteria is actually one or more of dozens of strains of the undiscovered streptococcal or chlamydia bacteria. It is this strain that causes the symptoms of bronchitis and pneumonia. Each person has different strains of this pneumonia bacteria in their body. Chlamydia bacteria are usually harmless, but they can cause problems if you are severely deficient in zinc , consistently make poor food choices, are under a lot of stress, or don't take care of yourself.
Sinus infections
Not all sinus infections are related to the flu virus. Often, chronic sinus infections are related to chronic, low-grade streptococcal infections . If you have this type of streptococcal infection and get the flu virus, you will find that your sinuses get really bad for a period of time before they return to their usual level of illness.
Sore throat
Like sinus infections, sore throats are not always related to the flu. A sore throat can be due to chronic, low-grade strep . Unfortunately, a throat culture can't always accurately determine whether a sore throat is strep-related. A child or young adult with a really bad case of strep may have white spots on the back of the throat or tonsils that can be swabbed and accurately identified as strep .
However, often after strep throat has progressed beyond its early stages, a throat swab is not an accurate way to determine whether someone has the bacteria. Chronic strep can often travel into the lymphatic system and cause a sore throat. In this case, strep throat is unlikely to be found in the throat swab. You can learn more about strep throat in the book “Help for the Liver.”
The Epstein-Barr virus can also cause a sore throat. If you have Epstein-Barr in your body, it can travel through your lymphatic system and appear in your throat. This is especially possible if you are underweight. The virus can cause redness and soreness that usually only appears on one side of your throat, but in rare cases it can appear on both sides. Although your throat may be incredibly sore, you will not develop a cough, fever, discharge, or sinusitis. You can learn more about the Epstein-Barr virus in the books The Medium Healer - Revised and Expanded Edition and Thyroid Healing .
Preventive measures
If you suspect you have the flu virus, consider taking some of these steps to deal with the virus before it takes a serious toll on you:
- If you notice that you are feeling run down, tired, nervous or stressed, take good care of yourself and pay special attention to your sleep.
- Keep a bottle of high-quality liquid zinc sulfate on hand at all times. If you have even the slightest hint of symptoms, drop liquid zinc directly onto your throat and let it coat the area. If you are sensitive to zinc, use only a few drops. Read more about zinc shock therapy .
- Maintain good hand hygiene and wash your hands regularly throughout the day. Shaking hands, pushing shopping carts, and opening doors are all ways your hands come into contact with germs. Keep your fingers and hands away from your eyes and face (where viruses can enter your body) whenever possible.
- Carry hand wipes with you when you are out and about. (You can use alcohol-based or alcohol-free wipes.) When you are in a restaurant, wipe your hands before eating. If you are boarding a plane, wipe your seat and armrest. You may also want to wear a face mask.
- When eating out, choose hot dishes over raw dishes like salads. The heat from a very hot meal can help kill any flu virus that may have contaminated your food.
- Take immune-boosting supplements year-round. This can help prevent illness and speed up recovery time if you do get sick. If you can't take these supplements year-round, take them before times when you know you'll be busy, stressed, or traveling, and before times when you expect to be at higher risk for the flu. Important immune-boosting supplements include: liquid zinc sulfate , cat's claw , vitamin C , lemon balm , L-lysine , Vitamin B12 with adenosylcobalamin and methylcobalamin , as well as spirulina and chaga .
To read the full list of Healing Medium healing protocols to boost the immune system, read the article “Healer Medium Shock Therapies” on our blog.
Don't forget also that you can download Anthony William's "Cold and Flu Handbook" translated into Bulgarian completely free of charge.
Which foods fuel the flu?
The foods you eat can either help prevent viruses or feed and support these viruses, including the flu. Medical research and science still don't know that viruses feed on certain food sources and multiply. You can find more about this in the book "Healing the Thyroid" . Eliminate these foods from your diet to protect yourself:
- Dairy products. You may feel fine after eating a piece of cheese or drinking a glass of milk, but these dairy products can silently wreak havoc by feeding every virus, including influenza virus, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, some of the HHV (learn more about herpes viruses here) ; bacteria, such as streptococci , E. coli, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA); and parasites or worms. If you want to avoid health problems, including the flu virus, eliminate milk, cheese, butter, kefir, yogurt, ghee, and other dairy products. If you already have the flu, eliminating dairy products can reduce your symptoms.
- Eggs also feed pathogens. If you are reluctant to give up eggs, include plenty of raw garlic in your diet. Although eggs feed the flu virus, raw garlic will help fight it.
- Chicken. You might be wondering what's wrong with chicken. The answer has to do with bird flu.
Avian influenza (bird flu)
Influenza viruses can feed on birds, and they especially love chicken. Avian flu viruses typically feed on the adrenal glands and meat cells of birds, often leading to dangerous and harmful consequences.
There's no need to cut chicken out of your diet if: you really enjoy eating it, you don't have any health issues, and you include plenty of leafy greens, fruits, and vegetables in your diet along with your poultry. However, if you're doing everything you can to avoid the flu, cutting out chicken may help.
Disadvantages of chicken soup
If chicken feeds flu viruses, should you eat chicken soup, the go-to food for colds and flu? Unfortunately, the answer is no. You don't have to give up soup completely, though. Remove the chicken and fill your soup with plenty of antiviral and flu-fighting foods, such as: onions, garlic, herbs like thyme, rosemary, and oregano; vegetables like celery, carrots, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, peppers, and mushrooms. If you really want to keep the chicken, add even more onions, garlic, herbs, and vegetables to boost the nutritional and antiviral properties. Try this mineral-rich healing broth recipe.
Another reason to avoid chicken has to do with its fat content. Have you ever made chicken soup and then left it in the fridge overnight? The next time you decide to reheat the soup, you may have noticed a thick layer of coagulated fat on top. This fat can take oxygen out of your blood; slow down your liver; prevent oxygen from reaching your immune system, liver, and heart; and work against your immune system when it tries to fight off viruses or bacteria.
Zinc shock therapy
A few years ago, on one of his trips, Anthony William remembers that it coincided with the height of flu season. There were countless people around him suffering from coughs, fevers, sinus problems, and more. Tired from the constant travel and insufficient sleep, Anthony felt exhausted.
At first, Anthony noticed a slight tickle in his throat. He realized he was coming down with the flu, and the Spirit of Compassion instructed him to administer the "zinc shock therapy." He immediately put four droppers of liquid zinc sulfate directly into his throat. He let the zinc sit in his throat and two hours later applied another dose. A few hours after that, he applied another dose. By the next morning, the subtle signs of the incipient illness were completely gone! This dose may be too strong for some people, but you may want to consider this treatment protocol or discuss it with your primary care physician or specialist.
Medicinal herbs and dietary supplements
There are many powerful supplements that you can use as weapons against the flu virus. Keep them on hand so that if symptoms appear out of nowhere, you can deal with the problem immediately:
Olive leaf is a great daily supplement if you have symptoms or conditions related to Epstein-Barr . It is also helpful if you are starting to feel unwell with flu-like symptoms (in which case, increase the dosage).
Echinacea and goldenseal help fight the flu. If you are battling strep throat, strep throat, tonsillitis , or sinus infections related to strep, you may also benefit from using them periodically.
Elderberry syrup is another amazing supplement for fighting the flu.
Loquat root can help with symptoms of flu, bronchitis, pneumonia, sinus problems, fever, and more.
The eyebright is amazing at beating the flu and streptococci .
Cherry peel helps with coughs.
Mulberry leaf is an incredible extract for symptoms and conditions related to shingles . It is also great for fighting the flu, sinus infections, bronchitis, and lung problems.
Propolis can be a powerful tool for supporting the immune system.
Micro-C and cat's claw are great for daily use. If you start to feel unwell, increase the amount.
Red root can be another useful dietary supplement.
When purchasing supplements, look for high-quality capsules or alcohol-free tinctures. The page for preferred nutritional supplements from The Healer Medium can be found on his website.
Rosehip tea with a generous amount of lemon juice added is helpful for flu symptoms, especially a sore throat. Many other teas are also helpful for flu symptoms. Don't forget to add lemon juice for more healing benefits.
If you want to help your children protect themselves from the flu, use supplements in smaller doses and consider consulting a doctor to determine the ideal amount for your child.
Medicinal foods
The recipe for healing broth is great for fighting the flu. Even if you don't have the flu, healing broth can be nourishing, supportive, and protective.
Check out the recipe for turmeric and ginger shots from the book “The Most Useful Foods.” This immune-boosting tonic is powerful, but it may be too strong for some people. If it’s too strong, try making turmeric and ginger tea by steeping ginger and turmeric pieces in boiling water. Drinking this soothing liquid throughout the day can shorten the duration of the flu and protect you from developing bronchitis or pneumonia.
Include plenty of lemon/lime water; ginger water or tea; celery juice ; cucumber juice; raw honey; fresh fruit and vegetable juices, such as apple/cucumber juice, orange juice, and green juices; healing broth and caffeine-free herbal teas in your diet. Increasing your fluid intake during the flu will help you recover as quickly as possible.
How to move forward
You probably turn on and charge your phone or computer every day. The next time you turn on your device, ask yourself how you can regularly charge your immune system as well. The more you use protective gear and boost your immune system, the more likely you are to avoid the next nasty flu that will appear around you.
