Flu season has passed and again, I managed to avoid it. It usually starts in November or December and lasts until February or March. I step up water intake through the ‘flu months’. Nothing better than a bowl of hot, home made chicken soup.That I’m solely responsible for making it ensures it’s going to taste great, thank you very much! Contrary to popular description, there is no such thing as ‘stomach flu’; it does not exist. Viral gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the intestines, causing diarrhea, cramping, and possibly excess sweating as the body tries to rid itself of the invasion. There's no effective treatment for viral gastroenteritis so prevention is key. Avoid potentially contaminated food and water and wash your hands thoroughly and often. During cold and flu season, change kitchen and bathroom linen frequently. changing kitchen Incidence of flu was down-sized during COVID but make no mistake, it thrives and drives disease processes across the country. Be vigilant! COVID is still out there as evidenced in recent newspaper reporting.
Many have already availed themselves of the COVID 19 vaccines and booster protocols. Flu shots have been available to anyone over 6 months of age; they are particularly critical for those in ‘at risk’ groups. I’m considered ‘at risk’ by virtue of being a senior with a since birth disability and concurrent secondary implications. I don’t get the flu shot -- decades ago I had a severe reaction to my first, only and last shot. Curiously, or perhaps not, I’ve never had the flu since. In fact, I haven’t been down and out sick since the horrible consequence of that single flu shot back in 1987. It is possible that folks like me are more at risk of reaction, regardless of severity. I opt out of the shot because I live alone and if I become ill, there is no one in house to step up to feed and water me during recovery. Being responsible for my day to day is what keeps me healthy and safe. Antibiotic use is a rarity.
My late father aka Doctor Dad told me to always finish antibiotics as prescribed unless there was a severe allergic response to them, in which case, stop and consult treating physician. Many make the mistake of not finishing antibiotics within days of feeling better. That has great potential to do serious harm. As Dad explained it, the first few days of antibiotics finds the target of infection, the second group of days begins attacking the infection and the final few days of the antibiotic course closes the system, the body, to future invasion. So, if you stop taking the antibiotics in the middle of the course, you’re effectively setting the stage for a double-whammy effect which could land you in the hospital. Don’t do that! If your doctor only intended for you to take 5 days worth of antibiotics that’s all that would have been prescribed. Think about that! If you are given a 10 day course with a tablet to be taken twice daily, do that until the tablets are finished. Also, remember to drink lots of water. If there is no medical/physical reason not to, take probiotics during and after the course to replenish gut flora, the good bacteria killed off by antibiotics.
If you experience mild to moderate diarrhea while on antibiotics, try changing eating habits until the symptoms pass; experts recommend avoiding any fatty or fried foods. Increase intake of clear fluids, preferably drinking eight to 10 glasses of water daily, to combat dehydration. As a short-term solution, doctors often suggest the BRAT diet (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce and Toast). Slowly adding more soluble fiber or taking a fiber supplement may be recommended Here at Chez Rockwell, bran muffins with raisins is just the ticket. There are so many recipes out there, it’s difficult to choose just one, so I like to alternate, adding either cranberries or finely diced apple to the batter. Bring coffee!
In my reading, I learned that the Mayo Clinic evidence scale on supplements gives Lactobacillus acidophilus a ‘green light’, indicating that there is at least “some evidence that the product does what is claimed and that it’s considered generally safe when used as directed.” Again, a consultation with treating physician is the best course as what might be appropriate for me may not be indicated for another. Make sure that if you’re buying probiotics that you choose well known companies that have been around for a long time. I did my homework before choosing the acidophilus bifidus capsules I use.
Antibiotics must never be viewed as the cure-all for all that ails you. Sadly, some clinicians over-prescribe antibiotics without fully appreciating the lifestyles of their patients. Ask questions that will yield the best information about how a patient lives day to day: what types of foods are eaten in the course of a day, how much water is consumed. Insufficient hydration, in and of itself, is a huge problem, particularly for seniors; dehydration manifests in mental confusion, joint pain and fatigue. We really are what we eat; in being aware of what we put into our bodies we can easily see what agrees with it and what does not. That agreement contributes to keeping us out of hospital where we may be at more risk of contracting a particular bug. That being so, home is where the health is.
Carla MacInnis Rockwell is a freelance writer and disability rights advocate living outside Fredericton, NB with Miss Lexie, a rambunctious Maltese and Mr. Malcolm, a boisterous Havanese. She can be reached via email at Carla MacInnis Rockwell
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