With the increasing number of deaths in China from the latest  H7N9 avian (bird) flu, people around the world are becoming tense once again when it comes to travel or crowded areas.  Although it hasn’t made its way to North America yet, people are being advised to follow certain flu prevention health tips to minimize the risk of contracting this virus, and to stop this deadly flu from spinning into an all-out global pandemic.

New Bird Flu Identified

Bird flu commonly refers to a type of flu that affects wild and domesticated birds and although it is easily transmitted among birds, it is uncommon for it to spread to humans. However, bird flu has been seen in humans. This usually happens after they have come into contact with infected poultry. In 2011, a highly contagious strain of the bird flu, H1N1, was seen and recently a new strain of the bird flu, H7N9 has been found in China. Unfortunately, there have been a steady number of human cases involving this new strain, some of which have resulted in death. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the new H7N9 strain of the flu has characteristics that make it well-adapted to affect the human population. Currently, there is no vaccination against the H7N9 strain, so flu prevention steps are essential to stopping the spread of the virus.

 Flu Prevention Health Tips to Follow

While human-to-human spread of the H7N9 strain of bird flu is not completely known, it is best to take regular flu prevention steps just in case human-to-human transmission is possible. These flu prevention health tips include:

1. Wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap or with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
2. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
3. Avoid close contact with sick people.
4. Lead a healthy lifestyle – eat a healthy diet, exercises regularly, and manage your stress levels to help your immune system function optimally.
5. If you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose to prevent the spread of germs to those around you. Avoid using your hands; try coughing or sneezing into your arm or shoulder instead.
6. If you are sick with flu-like symptoms, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever has gone away.

If you have been exposed to the flu virus, you can get a prescription for anti-viral medication from your doctor which may help to prevent you from getting sick.

Flu Prevention Health Tips for Travellers

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that travellers refrain from visiting countries where bird flu has been seen in poultry, other birds, or humans. However, if you must travel to these areas, the CDC recommends that you take precautions to minimize your risk of getting sick. These health tips include:

1. Avoid direct contact with all poultry and birds.
2. Avoid touching surfaces that have bird droppings on them.
3. Avoid visiting poultry farms or bird markets.
4. If you are going to eat bird products or poultry, make sure that they are cooked thoroughly.
5. Practice the general flu prevention health tips mentioned above.
6. If you do start to feel sick, seek medical attention immediately.
7. On your return home, monitor your symptoms for 7 days and seek medical attention if you start to notice any flu like symptoms and make sure you tell your doctor that you have travelled to a region where bird flu is present.

While human cases of bird flu are rare, they are being seen in China with the H7N9 strain of the virus.  For the time being, it is best to avoid travel to this area unless it is absolutely necessary.

The tea craze in the Western world appears to stay for the coming decades, yet it is also interesting to know whether this beverage actually benefits our health.  Biomedical studies have been conducted to determine the direct and actual effects of green tea on the human body, often resulting in good results.  However, these studies generally involve years of monitoring of study participants and the analysis of the beneficial effects on health may also be cumbersome and time-consuming.

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Does Tea Do Anything for Cold and Flu Symptoms?

In a recent report published in the journal Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, the immediate effects of green tea were examined using a simple approach that may be potentially applied to flu prevention.  According to Dr. Shin and colleagues, green tea contains catechins, which are plant-based reagents that serve as an antioxidant in cells and tissues of the body.  Antioxidants destroy free radicals that can disrupt proteins and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of cells, preventing potential damage and development of a wide range of medical disorders.  In addition, catechins may also increase the production of specific proteins of the immune system, thus helping the body combat the cold and flu.

Cold and Flu Prevention – Drinking Tea

Using an experimental cell culture involving chicken embryos, these scientists introduced the cold and flu virus for subsequent treatment of green tea extracts containing catechins.  Specifically, experiments were designed using the H1N1, H3N2, and H5N2 cold and flu viruses, which are the three most common pathogens associated with influenza epidemics across the globe.  Determination of flu prevention in these chicken embryos was based on the development of plaques in the cell cultures, which are considered as the main response of the immune system of the cells against the cold and flu virus.  The absence of a plaque in the cell culture after the inoculation of the cold and flu virus indicates that the immune system of the cells was not activated in the presence of the pathogen.  On the other hand, the presence of a plaque suggests that the immune system was stimulated to fight the virus.

The Results of the Immune System Study – What it Means for Tea Drinkers

The results of the study showed that the introduction of approximately 500 micrograms per milliliter of green tea extract resulted in the absence of plaques in the cell cultures, suggesting that this green tea concentration may be effective in flu prevention.  Interestingly, the results of the study also showed that the H5N2 virus, which was the viral strain responsible for the 2009 flu pandemic in Asia, was most sensitive to the green tea extract, followed by the H1N1 and H3N2 viruses.

Proper diet is of the utmost importance when it comes to keeping healthy, especially during flu season. Let’s explore some of the most common foods associated with flu prevention. It might be easier than you think to prevent an untimely illness this year.

Chicken Soup
This one is obvious. Hot chicken soup helps to clear clogged airways, and the broth (while in some cases high in sodium) will give you more energy. Add plenty of vegetables (garlic in particular) for extra healing power , and hopefully, flu prevention.

Spicy Peppers
This can include chili peppers or any type of spicy sauce. A good way to incorporate this into your regular meal schedule is to cook certain types of spicy ethnic food a couple of times a week. Spicy peppers have been shown to help unclog sinuses and provide some relief.

Almonds
This popular nut is a good source of vitamin E, which is a disease-fighting antioxidant. Grab a handful for your mid-afternoon snack or use them to flavor main dishes. Antioxidants are very important during cold and flu season as a preventative.

Citrus Fruit
The boost of Vitamin C is helpful when it comes to flu prevention. This one should be easy to incorporate. Drink orange juice for breakfast, snack on half a grapefruit, or add tangerine slices to a lunchtime salad.

Ginger
Many people find fresh ginger root helps treat the coughing and fever that often accompany colds and flu. Try making a ginger tea: Pour a cup of boiling water over 2 tablespoons of freshly grated ginger and let it steep for 5 to 10 minutes.

Sweet Potatoes
Not unlike carrots, sweet potatoes contain beta carotene, a nutrient that is converted to vitamin A in the body and has been shown to help fight respiratory infections. Try to incorporate sweet potatoes into your soups, salads and side dishes for flu prevention.

Garlic
This fragrant bulb contains a flavoring agent called alliin which acts as a decongestant. Garlic is also believed to act as an antioxidant and destroy free-radicals, the active oxygen molecules that damage cells, so add garlic liberally to your favorite foods.

As you can see, when it comes to the flu, it isn’t all about stocking up on over the counter cold and flu medications and tissues. Your diet plays a large role in the possibility of acquiring the flu.

While these foods are widely considered to be some of the best in terms of flu prevention, nutritionists say that any food containing vitamins A, C and E are key when it comes to boosting immunity and preventing the flu.