flu epidemics and wellness

by Donald B. Ardell, Ph. D.

The flu is one topic not normally associated with wellness. Yet, anyone interested in living a wellness lifestyle, as you are, must wonder what to do when the flu arrives a bit early and affects plans and health status. In the current situation, the flu is well ahead of its normal visitation or “scourge” schedule. In a sense, this version of the flu could be called the Y2K flu bug, because it may be getting a lot more attention than it deserves but, on the other hand, it could be a disaster if not taken seriously. One group of alarmists, for example, claim that this year’s flu is more intense than usual and spreading faster than normal. Some early data indicate, in fact, that it could be really bad in Europe. Great Britain reports that 300 out of every 100,000 people are now suffering from influenza, which would make it the worst outbreak in over ten years. And some English doctors say it will get worse ("We think we are in for the big one,'' a medic noted in London's Sunday Telegraph).

However, there is another side to this, revealed in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal. This concerns the possibility of manipulation of the media by drug companies that stand to profit from the flu! Sounds villainous, doesn’t it? Two flu drug manufacturers, namely Roche and Glaxo, have engaged in energetic promotional efforts to encourage sales of Tamiflu and Relenza, respectively. The former has been “blanketing local reporters in different cities with nearly identical press releases about outbreaks of the flu in their area that differ only in their references to local-area doctors and hospitals being swamped by flu patients.” You can read about this issue in the WSJ edition of 1/11/2000, page A3.

What is a wellness-oriented person to do? Four things come readily to my mind, besides being skeptical.

The first thing to do is become familiar with the symptoms of the flu in general and this one, in particular. Most people already are, if not from personal experience, then from reading about it or seeing others suffer. It’s hard to exercise and think about emotional intelligence, self-responsibility, relationship skills and other wellness dimensions when you have a fever, muscle aches, extreme fatigue, chills, weakness, runny nose, you’re coughing and sneezing and, more likely than not, feeling mighty sorry for yourself and wondering how could God do something like this to you after all you’re done for him, her or it?

After symptom awareness, a second likely thing to do, if you are interested in wellness, is to inquire as to ways to prevent it in the future! While it is too late to get a flu shot when in the throes of flu misery, there is always next year to think about, and ways to protect others in your family/workplace and friendship circle who have not been laid low as yet. This is where all those precautions about washing hands frequently, being attentive about those with whom you share air space, travel arrangements and so forth come into play. Everyone says, “Keep fingers out of mucous membranes like noses, eyes and mouths unless well washed.” I just don’t get that: It seems to me a good idea to keep your fingers out of mucous membranes anyway, especially the eyes, even if those fingers have been scrubbed to the bone!

A third thing is to learn which drugs, if any, to take if you get the flu or which to give to others, if you have to make that kind of decision (such as for your children who might be afflicted). How can you improve the chances that the drugs you take or advise, such as Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or some of the others heavily advertised are actually best in your case or your child’s, and how much to take, how often and so on? As in other medical matters, independent research, second and third opinions, and a host of medical self-care skills should be brought into play.

And finally, it seems safe to assume that a wellness-oriented person will want to ensure that his/her immunity is as strong as possible prior to flu season by living a healthy lifestyle, thus strengthening that system to the extent possible against vulnerability to invasion by alien predatory viruses.

I’ll be among the first to admit that living a wellness lifestyle does not protect against hostile pathogens that invade our cells, now and then. If life were fair, I suppose wellness mindsets, perspectives, attitudes or behaviors would do that, but it is not. Still, what else might you, a wellness oriented person, do to prevent falling prey to the flu?

For starters, don't be elderly, immune-suppressed, or work with those who are or who look after them! This advice is, of course, silly (we all become elderly if we last long enough) and heartless (if taken seriously), so please don't take it seriously. There are several strategies you can adopt for prevention purposes. You can, after determining that this Y2K bug is for real, get a flu shot, for example. You can take your vacation just before flu season arrives -- and go someplace where the incidence is rare (like the moon -- few locations on Earth seem safe!) You can drink lots of water -- who knows? Maybe there are occasions when you can flush those little buggars. And you can practice the usual good general hygiene that you should follow all the time, anyway, such as frequent (but non-compulsive!) hand washing, and don’t forget that business about keeping your fingers out of your nose and mouth and other mucous membranes. Be careful about sharing articles like drinking containers, utensils, tooth brushes and other incredibly personal items and body parts, unless you know who the other person is and where he/she has been -- and with whom!

If you do live a wellness lifestyle, practice all these prevention basics and STILL get the flu, don't rely on New Age, quack remedies or drug-bearing doctors who have not taken the time to understand your unique situation. Also, don't try to get rid of it solely with homeopathic remedies or other alternative medicine modalities, chants, rain dances, supplements, voodoo rituals, witch doctors or prayers! See a doctor or qualified medical specialist who is willing to learn enough about you to make a wise recommendation. Then, if it will make you feel better, try to add whatever combination of homeopathic, alternative medicine modalities, chants, rain dances, supplements, voodoo rituals, witch doctors or prayers that appeal to you! Placebos are good medicine and the flu is nothing to sneeze at. That’s it. Take care and stay well and always look on the bright side of life. Even if you get the flu.

September 2000