Dr. Walt’s Health Blog

Archives for posts tagged ‘flu’

Vitamin D helps fend off flu and asthma attacks

In a recent study of Japanese schoolchildren, vitamin D supplements taken during the winter and early spring helped prevent seasonal flu and asthma attacks. Here’s more on the study from Reuters Health:
The idea for the study, study chief Dr. Mitsuyoshi Urashima, told Reuters Health, came from an earlier study looking at whether vitamin D could [...]

Deaths from H1N1 vaccine = ZERO. Deaths from H1N1 illness approaching 7000.

As of 15 November 2009, the World Health Association (WHO) is reporting that worldwide more than 206 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including over 6770 deaths. So, the outlandish predictions that the Swine flu vaccine would cause illness and deaths appear to be false.
According to a [...]

Suplements for Colds or the Flu. What works? What does not?

Demand continues to rise for supplements for colds and flu … despite the lack of hard evidence for most of them. However, some may work. Find out more about them here.
Nasal saline irrigation can reduce nasal congestion, sore throat, and cough. I suggest that my patients irrigate once a day or more often if needed.
Zinc [...]

New Swine Flu Website from the AMA looks terrific

The American Medical Association (AMA) has just today unveiled a new Web site for patients like you who want to learn more about the 2009 H1N1 (Swine) flu and the seasonal flu. This free public health resource can help assess your risk and determine the best course of action based on any symptoms you may have.

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FDA urges consumers to avoid buying H1N1 treatments online

CNN is reporting that the FDA is warning Americans to “avoid buying treatments for the H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu, online.” FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg said, “Products that are offered for sale online with claims to diagnose, prevent, mitigate, treat or cure the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus must be carefully evaluated.” I would say, [...]

Reason One to Get the Swine Flu Vaccine – It’s Safe and Effective

Up to 1/3 of Americans who are asked say that they believe the Swine flu vaccine is not safe and/or it has not been tested enough. Nothing could be further from the truth.

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What do I do if I think I have the 2009 H1N1 Swine flu?

I’ve blogged before about “How to Tell the Difference Between a Cold and the Flu (or Swine or H1N1 influenza).” What used to be called the “Novel H1N1 flu,” or the “Swine Fly,” is now officially called the 2009 H1N1 flu. But, no matter what it’s called, if you are coming down with the flu, what should [...]

Separating Swine Flu Myths From Facts

With the world facing its first pandemic of influenza in over forty years, it’s easy to get caught up in all the hullabaloo that’s circulating about the swine flu. The CDC says the worst could be yet to come. So, they say, we need to prepare for a large outbreak this fall and winter as children [...]

Swine flu has summer camps scrambling! What’s a parent to do?

Cuts and bug bites, sprains and bruises aren’t all that children are at risk for at summer camp this year. News reports from around the country indicate that Swine flu is spreading through dozens of camps. Some have shut down. Some are delaying their opening. Others are treating campers with antiviral drugs. If you’ve got a [...]

Updated FAQ’s about the Swine Flu Virus – including a question about face masks

Like you, I can’t read the paper or turn on a television or radio without hearing about the H1NI influenza. As I’ve done radio interviews for radio stations around the country on the topic, I find many are asking the same questions. Here are my answers.
More Information:

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How to Tell the Difference Between a Cold and the Flu (or Swine or H1N1 influenza)

If you’re sneezing, coughing and have a fever, do you know how to tell whether you’ve caught a cold or have the flu? At our clinic, as in clinics and Emergency Rooms all over the world, folks are calling in droves this week to ask if their symptoms might be caused by the Swine Flu [...]

Swine Flu – Updated FAQ

Here’s an update on the rapidly evolving news about what is being called the Swine Flu. As more information comes available, I’ll post it here for you. Feel free to distribute this to your family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, and faith community.
More Information:

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Swine Flu: Top 5 Reasons Your Should Not Panic

Public health physicians and medical journalists have a tough job when it comes to informing the public about the Swine Flu as we have to walk the tightrope between informing you so that you can protect yourself and your family, and sending people into anxiety attacks. No doubt you are interested in the topic, as [...]

Swine Flu: Questions and Answers

What is the Swine Flu? How do I avoid It? What do I do if I have flu symptoms? These are all questions that came into our clinic today and over the weekend. Also, you can read a couple of my other blogs: Is It a Cold or Sinus Infection?, 7 Ways to Protect Yourself from [...]

Swine Flu: What You Need to Know

As officials warn of the spread in swine flu cases across several countries around the globe, there are a number of steps you can take to protect yourself and your children from this unique virus. Also, you can read a couple of my other blogs: Is It a Cold or Sinus Infection? and 7 Ways to Protect Yourself [...]

7 Ways to Protect Yourself from the Flu (in general) or the Swine Flu (in particular)

Prevention of the flu, and protection from the virus, is really no different than any other cold or flu. Just remember “the simple things” are what work best – wash your hands a lot, don’t shake hands or hug or kiss people if you or they are sick, don’t go to work if you or [...]

10 Ways to Prevent Your Child From Catching the Flu

With winter cold comes the flu season, when more time spent indoors means more opportunities for the virus to spread. Some physicians who care for children have had their shipment of flu vaccines for almost two months, and other organizations are pushing influenza prevention through vaccination as well. One of these, Say Boo to the [...]

10 Foods to Kick a Cold and Boost Your Immunity

Many people, when they are feeling miserable from a cold or the flu, get the urge to gorge on food. But picking the right foods may benefit and even speed healing.
More Information:

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Do You Have THE FLU or A COLD?

Here’s an on-line tool that can help you and your doctor differentiate the two – just from your symptoms. 

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10 Ways to Stay Flu-Free

ABC News is reporting, that with flu season less than a month away, it isn’t too soon to take steps to protect yourself from influenza. And, since the flu can knock you out for a couple of weeks, catching it can be a setback. Simply watching out for co-workers who have it probably won’t be [...]