A Flu Season to Remember!

   Every year, the flu poses a significant health risk. While still early in the present flu season, the number of flu reports is growing rapidly and drawing plenty of our attention.

   Influenza, commonly referred to as the flu, is a highly contagious viral infection of the respiratory tract. It often comes on suddenly and causes more severe symptoms than the common cold. Symptoms may include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, muscle aches and extreme fatigue. Most people recover in one to two weeks, but some people will develop life-threatening complications as a result of the flu.

   Flu, short for the influenza virus, takes two primary forms: Influenza A & B, both of which mutate easily and often. If you had the flu a few years ago, and developed the antibodies to prevent that particular infection again, you are likely out of luck today because the virus has altered itself. This year's flu vaccine was formulated to protect against three older strains of the virus, but not against the new strain, Fujian flu, racing across the country. It is worried that the shots taken by tens of millions of Americans will offer considerably weaker protection than any flu vaccine in recent years. Moreover, the country has, for the first time ever, run out of vaccine.

   As the nationwide shortages of flu vaccine shots have intensified the emotional response from people, recent calls received from our patients to inquire how to prevent flu with Chinese herbal formulas are simply more than doubled. Actions should be taken immediately to deal with flu outbreaks and help people tide over this deadly flu season.