Comments on: Staying Well Through the Sick Season

By: Sugar Mommy

Sugar Mommy — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 16:44:14 +0000

Okay, I started to type a comment here and, if I had continued, it would have been the longest comment in blogger history.

So I decided my own post on this issue was the way to go. I’ll post it after a few more reviews and link back to you; probably sometime this afternoon.

By: mary b

mary b — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 16:13:08 +0000

No flu shots here either. We are generally a very healthy bunch. My 10 yo has never missed school due to illness.
Always have been big on organic yogurt with plenty of live cultures, and we are bumping up the fruits, veggies and vitamins. I read recently that vitamin D deficiency seems to be a common thing in those getting hit hardest with H1N1.(other interesting info on the vitamindcouncil site). The children’s recommended dose of Vit. D is now 400IU. I found Gummi Vites to have 400IU and are free of artificial colors & such that others have.
I feel it is important to bump up our immune systems however we can. We are incorporating more food items or supplements that may be helpful.

By: Melanie Tindale

Melanie Tindale — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 02:21:48 +0000

This may be reactive rather than proactive, but as soon as I feel something coming on, I rush out and buy oranges. I’m a sucker for fresh-squeezed orange juice, and no matter what kinds of “fresh-squeezed” I buy at the store, it NEVER tastes as good as when I make it at home. But anyhoo…that’s my immune system booster. Fresh squeezed orange juice. I’ve put many miles on my citrus juicer!

By: Lisa writes...

Lisa writes... — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:36:27 +0000

No flu shot, no flu here either.

By: Janel

Janel — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:10:34 +0000

One thing that my hubby swears by when he starts to feel sick is Oil of Oregano. He fills a capsule up with it and starts taking them as soon as he feels any hint of sickness. It is highly concentrated so you have to be careful how much you take. I give my kids the teeniest drop when they start to feel under the weather. It seems to do the trick. It gives me indigestion, though so I don’t take it.

We have gotten the flu shot in the past but it really didn’t seem to make a difference except that the flu did not seem to last as long. I’m still undecided on the flu shot – I’m not feeling a lot of peace about getting them this year.

We eat a ton of fruits and veggies but one thing that my kids eat A LOT of is apples. About 2-3 small ones a day (washed, unpeeled). I really believe they do not get sick as often because of this. They also do not crave sugary snacks as much. “An apple a day…”

I love that you talk about rest – I think this is one of the most crucial things to staying healthy. I am the worst about this for myself, though!

By: Megan (mommyesquire)

Megan (mommyesquire) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:58:45 +0000

We wash our hands like crazy and I carry antibacterial wipes with me everywhere. They are crazy at Aubryn’s school about cleanliness and hand washing. At not-yet-2, she is probably the best handwasher of us all! I opted to get the flu vaccine for all of us this year. Last year, Aubryn got every single ailment which came down the pike and even ended up having to get tubes in her ears. I have always gotten one week-long sickness (fever, etc.) every winter so I started getting the flu vaccine a few years ago.

I am really confused about the H1N1 vaccine though. My pediatrician won’t have it in until at least Halloween so I am waiting until then to fully decide. My doctor told me in no uncertain terms to get it because I am in a high risk category. Again, my doctor does not have it available yet either. Do you think that if I just bury my head in the sand it will all go away?

By: Marisa @ Where's The Party?

Marisa @ Where's The Party? — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 05:55:23 +0000

This is a difficult one for me too as a new mom to an 8 month old.
I personally feel he is still too young for a flu vaccine or swine flu vaccine.
My son’s ND mentioned the “natural methods of prevention” just as you listed. vitamin D3 (1,000IUD for infants 2,000IUD for adults), probiotics, lots of Vitamin C.
Thanks for posting and sharing with everyone!

By: Lizz @ Yes and So is My Heart

Lizz @ Yes and So is My Heart — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:15:42 +0000

Love your tips! We’re doing more handwashing around here as well as using the antibacterial wet wipes, though I generally don’t use the antibacterial products. We’re also taking multi-vitamins and Vitamin C. I’m trying (emphasis on trying) to cut back on sugar and refined carbs and what not. Also, sleep is a priority around here as well.

Do you make your chicken broth the way Nourishing Traditions recommends?

By: Susan

Susan — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 01:48:39 +0000

I always say if you ever get the real deal flu, you’ll line up for the vaccine. I had it when I was 27 and it was horrendous. I’ve had gestational diabetes, pregnancy induced hyeprtension,cardiomyopathy and pneumonia and a myraid of other transient bugs. Without a doubt, the flu left me the sickest: in bed x 1.5 weeks, down 10 lbs. and I will always believe it contributed somewhat to the cardiomyopathy I developed a few years later.

See one critically ill child and a distraught mom who says she never thought the flu was that big of a deal and you’ll change your mind. You won’t want to be that mom…or at least the mom who has regrets.

All of the other stuff (sans homeopathic, untested medicines that I refuse to put in my body) is good, sound advice and things we definitely do at our house.

By: Val

Val — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:40:58 +0000

I have thought about spraying the kids down with Lysol when they walk into the door. But apparently they don’t like that.

So, we are moving on to face masks and gloves. Although a bubble is looking good right about now.