But then, every so often, after a few years or maybe a decade or two, a real baddie of a flu strain shows up, nobody really knows exactly whence it comes, that sends health agencies — especially the WHO, world health organization that is, (although maybe Dr. Who of the British series might have better solutions) — scrambling and taking control, much like much like Defcon 1, 2 etc of the cold war era. Fear and panic begins to spread about an imminent ‘attack’ of h1n1 (a.k.a swine flu), bird flu or some other feared strain. Medical clinics are on the alert and wait for Big Pharma to come up with a new vaccine that will save us all. Only Big Pharma are happy about this, since they stand to make very big bucks from the production and sale of the vaccines.

Now despite the fact that I tend to be squeamish about getting any kind of needle, I still prefer to take alternative preventive measures as a defense against the flu, rather than take the risk of getting a vaccine with possible side effects that I would rather not even think about, so dangerous are they!

Some of these preventive measures are just common sense, but others are not so common, so I will include a couple of them here.
1. Dress Warm

Dressing warm is obvious and makes sense, especially in colder climates. Shivering and tension from cold decreases circulation in your body and reduces your chances of keeping away cold and flu viruses. So dress for the weather — gloves, scarf, a warm coat or jacket, one that is wind proof, and keep your legs and feet warm, even if that means wearing extra socks and long johns!

2. Avoid Stress

Everyone knows, or should know, that stress causes a host of problems, including heart disease and ulcers — there are plenty of statistics that prove it. Stress in any form should be avoided at all times but especially when there is a higher risk of catching colds and flu viruses, such as during cold, winter months. Forms of stress include emotional, financial, physical and mental. Physical stress includes excessive drinking, smoking and exhaustive exercise. A form of physical stress that is not given enough attention is the stress of pollution — air pollution, chemicals in foods and cosmetics. If you must venture into highly polluted environments, wear a mask.

3. Prevent Contact

Making direct contact with a virus is something you don’t want to do. Here are some suggestions:
a) Wash your hands frequently, especially after using the bathroom, coughing or sneezing, or touching surfaces that may have been contaminated by other people.
b) After using a public bathroom, wash your hands and use a paper towel on door handles instead of your bare hands. The person or persons before you may have contaminated the door handles.
c) Do not touch surfaces in public areas with your bare hands, such as handle bars in public transportation vehicles. Use gloves.
d) Wear a mask in high density areas, medical clinics, hospitals and other public places where there is a high risk of contacting viruses.
e) Remember, out of respect for others, to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Use a tissue or, if you do not have one, your sleeve. Wash your hands and dispose of the tissue soon after.

In the home, disinfect air, clothes and bedding using a natural, essential oil and vodka based spray. Here is one formula: to a 4 oz spray bottle, fill half and half with distilled water and vodka, and add a natural fragrance and deodorant, eg 10 drops each of sandalwood and lavender essential oils. Shake the bottle well before using.

4. Take Vitamin D

Vitamin D has remarkable antibiotic properties, helping the immune system keep lungs free of infection. In past times, getting plenty of vitamin D was not an issue. It was made by our bodies upon exposure to the sun, specifically the ultraviolet B radiation. In recent times, however, we get less and less direct sun. The reasons range from fear of skin cancer, using sunblock when we do go out, to being indoors most of the time in our homes or workplace. In winter months, we get even less sunlight due to shorter days. People living in northern regions get still less sun because of colder winters.

Try to get at least some direct sun exposure during the day. In the summer months that usually is not a problem — go out for a walk in the sun, do some jogging or other outdoor activity, all in moderation. In winter months, you can still go out on a sunny day, as long as you are dressed warm and you avoid exposing your face to fierce, cold winds.

If you do not go out much, you can get vitamin D from foods that are rich in natural vitamin D such as fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel), eggs and cheese. However, these can be fattening and you have to be careful about fish that may have high mercury contamination. When I was young, I was given cod liver oil (with a rye bread chaser) in winter months, an excellent source of vitamin D. In general though, there is not enough vitamin D in foods so you cannot rely on getting enough from your diet. Optimally, you should intake 2000 – 5000 units of vitamin D per day so consider taking vitamin D supplements.

5. Maintain a Good Diet

Maintain a balanced, healthy diet. This could mean anything from a vegetarian diet to a ‘meat’n potatoes’ diet. The important thing here is common sense and not deprive your body of vital energy by eating too little, especially during the colder months of the year.

As far as what constitutes a good diet, what to eat and what to avoid, there are as many opinions on this as there are foods available! So I’m only going to suggest one of each.

a) to consume — Garlic — an ancient remedy to ward off bugs and evil spirits — I know it can keep away people, it just might work to keep away viruses! If you don’t like caesar salad or roasted garlic on your pizza, you can always take odorless garlic pills.

b) to avoid — Sugar — eaten in moderation is not a problem, but excessive amounts of sugar in your diet has been shown to lower immunity.

6. Relax

Do not underestimate the value of relaxation. Most of us are so busy that many consider spending time just relaxing as a waste of time, yet it is one of the most important and effective things you can do to offset the stress that continuous busy-ness tends to create. And I’m not talking here about relaxing while watching TV or having a nap, but setting aside at least 30 minutes a day to consciously relax the whole body, especially the neck area. Stop doing, clear your mind of all thoughts, while sitting, lying down or going for a short walk around the block. Or, if you are so inclined, try meditating.

7. Take Food Supplements

If your diet consists mostly of foods that are lacking in nutritional value, with little or no vitamin and mineral content, I suggest taking supplements such as vitamin C, multi-vitamins, mineral drinks, herbal teas etc. There is no shortage of these in health food stores.

8. Avoid Physical Exhaustion

Being in a state of exhaustion invites being smitten with flu viruses. Avoid fatigue, get enough sleep and take care when exercising. If you do strenuous workouts at the gym, do a lot of work around your house or apartment, rake leaves, shovel snow etc. make sure you take frequent breaks and never push yourself to the limit. Never go out while you are physically exhausted!

And now for some uncommon preventive measures…

9. Take Colloidal Silver

Is colloidal silver the secret weapon against flu viruses? The Silver Bullet? Many contend that it is, and that silver has been used historically by the elite in societies going back to the Greeks and Romans to combat all sorts of conditions and to keep water safe and free of bacteria. Colloidal silver is a suspension of silver particles in water made using electronic generators, and was used for its anti-bacterial and antibiotic properties in main stream medicine right up until the advent of modern antibiotics in the 20th century.

I cannot personally attest to its value in combating viruses, but I guess there is no harm in adding it during pandemic times to your natural anti-flu arsenal.

10. Use the Zapper

Sounds like some anti-viral Star Trek weapon, but really is a simple electronic pulse generator that is promoted by author Hulda Clark in her book, ‘a cure for all diseases’. Her contention is that diseases are caused by parasites invading the body and that specific frequencies of electronic pulses sent through the body allow the body’s immune system to destroy such parasites, leading to the reversal or cure of diseases.

There are many people who swear by the zapper and all that is written in her book. Perhaps it can help boost the immune system, thereby making it easier to fend off viruses. But I have my reservations about its use as a cure or effective preventive measure against the common cold, let alone flu viruses.

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Take the first 8 measures above seriously and you will be less susceptible to cold and flu viruses.

James Davidovich, author of Active Healing and Body Restoration, a guide to natural self-healing using energy healing techniques