Cold and flu season is in full force. And winter isn’t nearly over yet so if you haven’t caught some sort of cold this winter – lucky you! You should really go buy a lottery ticket.
Whether you have gotten the flu shot or not, I know people in both camps that have gotten their fair share of sickness the past couple months. Some of them have just caught the run-of-the-mill common cold, while others have suffered for weeks with the flu. Symptoms for both a cold and flu can overlap, but in general flu symptoms are more intense and can zap your energy for weeks.
The flu shot may not necessarily prevent you from catching the flu or common cold, so if you find yourself suddenly feeling ill, know the flu symptoms to watch for.
Common flu symptoms
[checklist icon=”check” iconcolor=”” circle=”yes”]- Sudden onset of fever (can be high),
- Headache
- Severe body aches, also can be sudden onset
- Chills
- Generalized weakness
- Sore throat
- Watery, runny nose
If you think you may have the flu, by all means please stay home for a couple days. Staying home allows for 2 things to happen: 1) It gives your body the rest it needs to fight off the virus 2) You co-workers and fellow commuters (and humanity in general) will appreciate it if you keep your germs to yourself.
Herbal medicine is a great way to help decrease the severity and longevity of the flu. Every herbal formula I give is customized to your individual needs. For example, if you came in with the flu and body aches, you would get an herbal formula tailored specifically to you versus another person who comes in with just a runny nose and headache.
If you want more tips about how to keep healthy for the rest of the winter, check out my January newsletter for a summary of the best winter herbs and spices you have at home to boost your immune system.
Also, schedule your acupuncture treatments today because regular acupuncture treatments naturally strengthen the immune system. So stay warm, stay well, wash your hands often and get acupuncture!
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