Four doctor-recommended tips for avoiding H1N1

It’s not unusual to see viruses make headlines, but the recent threat of H1N1 swine flu has captured everyone’s attention. On June 11, 2009, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention raised the H1N1 pandemic status to level six, indicating an international pandemic. This change has left many people wondering what they can do to keep themselves and their families healthy.

Why is H1N1 different than other viruses? Recently, scientists discovered that the 2009 H1N1 swine flu virus is more like the H5N1 avian flu than the historic 1918 pandemic H1N1 Spanish flu strain. That means previous flu vaccines are less effective and extra precautions at home should take place.

In a teleconference with colleagues, Dr. Roger Mazlen, an internist in Rosyln Heights, N.Y., with more than 30 years of experience practicing internal medicine and nutrition, discussed the current swine flu outbreaks.

Swine flu, or H1N1, was first isolated in a pig in 1930, according to the CDC. The virus has demonstrated an ability to migrate from domestic pigs to humans. Mazlen says there are several factors contributing to the current swine flu outbreak, including environmental, cultural and economic issues.

“The current recession, loss of retirement funds, compromised nutrition, reduced exercise, obesity and other factors produce immune depression. A depressed immune system cannot fight off the invasion of viral and other pathogens that attempt to find a home to set up infections in our bodies,” he says.

In order to help you and your family during the 2009/10 flu season, Mazlen offers these protection strategies:

1. Wash your hands frequently and stay hydrated
“Frequent hand washing is a start. Also, lots of daily water helps to hydrate the body and assist the immune system,” he says.

2. Fish oil helps supports the immune system.
Vitamin and mineral supplements add fortification, but Mazlen suggests adding fish oil because of its clinically-proven immune function support. Fish oil blends are available as gel capsules or in liquid form at health-food stores and several different brands are also available at www.puritan.com.

3. Use a prescription right away.
Mazlen says that Tamiflu, the currently recommended prescription medication used in flu and swine flu, is most effective when used within a few hours of the first viral symptoms. But swine flu, as reported by the CDC, has an ability to mutate within hours. Tamiflu may be effective for swine flu in the morning, and may be ineffective by the end of the day because of viral mutation.

4. Skip the Echinacea
When asked if the popular herbal remedy Echinacea could be effective, Mazlen explains that studies have proved the product has minimal effectiveness. He says he prefers a natural immune-stimulating product, which he has used with over 500 patients, including his family members. The product was originally developed in Russia, but is now made in the United States. Mazlen says he has had good results during the past years with patients fighting flu and other infections. The product, Del-Immune V, is available at www.delimmune.com.

Early measures to protect health might be the key to minimizing potentially serious infections. “It is important to have an immune defense strategy this year — the earlier the better,” Mazlen concludes.