Your best protection against the flu isn’t from a needle

We’ve been hearing a lot about the flu this year — even more than usual.

And that’s because influenza appears to be hitting at a fast and furious pace — especially true for the very healthy people who have been suddenly struck down in the prime of life.

But if you ask practically any health expert — from CDC officials down to your own doctor — what to do to stay safe, the answer will almost always be the same: Get a flu shot.

That, however, won’t be what you actually need in order to stay healthy during this brutal flu season.

In fact, it could do just the opposite.

The key to immunity
Kyler Baughman was the picture of health.

At 21, he participated in CrossFit (an extreme type of workout), lifted weights, and held two strenuous jobs.

But shortly before Christmas, he complained of not feeling well. And although he tried to go back to work after the holiday, he developed a cough and chest pains — and he became so ill that he landed in the local hospital.

From there, docs quickly transferred Kyler to a larger medical center — but three days after Christmas, he died.

His exact cause of death was organ failure due to septic shock caused by the flu — but this tragedy is far from the only one to come out of this weary winter of extreme weather and respiratory epidemics.

It seems that the flu really has reached epidemic proportions this year — and that was predicted earlier in the season due to a particularly bad outbreak of influenza during the Australian winter.

Of course — and you’ve heard it a thousand times already — the only answer you’ll be offered is rolling up your sleeve to get that flu shot, even at this late date and though experts admit that the protection it offers is slim to none.

But that’s certainly a far cry from the best way to stay flu-free. In fact, there’s substantial evidence that getting a flu vaccine can actually make you even more likely come down with the flu — as well as a wide variety of other illnesses.

It’s not that you’ll “catch” the flu from the shot, but the vaccine for influenza actually suppresses your immune system — as do other vaccines for other diseases. And that’s something you certainly don’t need with a dangerous flu strain going around.

Then, there’s the fact that some who get the flu vaccine will suffer serious side effects directly because of it.

There’s no denying that people of all ages are struck down each year — not by the flu, but by immune disorders, such as the paralyzing Guillain-Barre syndrome, that are directly related to these vaccines.

Your best assurance of staying not just flu-free, but healthy all year round, is maintaining a strong immune system (what your mom called your “resistance”). And one way to do that is by taking regular nutritional supplements like selenium, zinc, olive leaf extract, black elderberry extract, and vitamins C and D. Eating a healthy diet and getting enough sleep are keys to keeping your immunity up as well.

Of course, don’t forget that old standby: Wash your hands thoroughly and often!

But what if, despite your best efforts, you do come down with the flu virus? Well, here’s what you need to do, and this is really important.

First, pay close attention to what your body is telling you. As Kyler’s dad said, “Don’t let things go,” especially if a fever lasts for several days.

The CDC advises that you should seek medical attention if you have any of these symptoms during a bout with the flu:

• trouble breathing or shortness of breath
• belly or chest pain
• sudden dizziness
• confusion
• severe vomiting
• flu-like symptoms that get better but return with a fever and worsening cough.

“He was 21 and fit. He tried to push through the flu – and it killed him.” Lindsey Bever, January 11, 2018, The Washington Post, washingtonpost.com