No really! What is the science behind how you get the flu?

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

Every winter, for as long as I have been alive, like clockwork, the flu virus rears its ugly head. Up until COVID-19, thoughts of the flu were usually met with, “I hope I don’t get sick,” or, “Better get my flu shot.”

We saw the flu as a normal part of life, and to be honest; it has been. According to CDC it infects millions of us, about 5% to 20% of the U.S. population alone each year. Health Canada estimates that 10% to 25% of Canadians get the flu each year. It is what it is. At some point, we may end up with: the sniffles, uncontrollable sneezing fits, achy muscles and joints, and that miserable feeling. We then crawl into bed, drink some chicken noodle soup and sleep it off.

The CDC estimates that in the United States, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized with the flu or with flu-related complications each year. Around the world, the flu kills between a quarter of a million to half a million people a year (World Health Organization).

Why are you telling us this Simone? Well, what I want to do is put into perspective what mainstream media will not. Yes, this influenza virus is real. We can’t doubt or argue science. The flu is a real thing. What is not real is the fact that each year, there are not daily news reports about how many people have caught it, or how many people are dying. They don’t make a spectacle about it, or applaud people who get the flu shot. This of course leads some members of the global population to wonder, what is so different about this flu that has caused such fear?

I thought I would take this time to revisit the science behind the flu, what causes it, how it affects your body, and the ways that you can avoid getting it. The flu is a respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. When the flu enters the body, it moves into the respiratory tract and binds itself to the surface of the cells. The virus releases its genetic information (RNA) into the cells; it replicates and takes over the function of those cells. Eventually, these cells go on to infect other cells, and you are left with all those annoying symptoms that make you feel miserable.

The flu does weaken the immune system and leaves it vulnerable to more serious infections, especially if you are a high-risk individual (elderly over 65, children under the age of 2 anyone who has a chronic medical condition, pregnant women, health care workers, nursing home residents).

The flu is highly contagious and is spread primarily by coughing and sneezing. This is not rocket science. You can also spread the virus if you touch something after you have sneezed or coughed, which is why you should be washing your hands during flu season often.

Let’s talk about the asymptomatic period of the flu. You are not just contagious when you have symptoms. You can pass along the virus one day before you start sniffling and sneezing and can pass it on up to seven days after your symptoms first appear. Studies have shown that children can be contagious even beyond the seven days.

This all seems very basic so far right. Great! Let’s continue.

Experts have some suggestions to avoid catching the flu, which include:

• Practice good hygiene during flu season
• Wash your hands throughout the day with warm water and soap
• Avoid anyone who is coughing or sneezing

If you do get sick, you can avoid infecting others if you:

• Stay home until you’re feeling better
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue whenever you cough or sneeze.
• Build your immune system by eating fruits and vegetables, exercising regularly, getting proper sleep (7 – 9 hours each night), and reducing your stress
• Increase your intake of vitamin C and D, and Zinc
• Increase intake of flavonoids (found in blueberries, red wine, and black tea)
• Eating more fiber, which regulates digestion, and prevents constipation (A 2018 study with mice suggested that dietary fiber may actually boost the immune system).

Now, I want to bear witness to something. I got very sick in January of 2020 with the flu. I truly think that it was COVID-19, but other than being extremely uncomfortable for a few weeks, I did pull through it, even with underlying medical conditions (high-blood pressure).

Since then, I have been working actively in the community. I have not worn a mask. I did not get the flu shot. I have not socially distanced. I wash my hands. I take vitamins (vitamin C, vitamin D). I exercise regularly. I sleep well, and I take care of my mental health. It is now January 2021, and I have not been sick once. Now, I might just have a great immune system, or maybe, just maybe I am developing immunity to COVID-19.

In any case, there are natural ways to avoid getting the flu. Not only that, the flu is not going anywhere, so it is time that we shut off the television, get some sleep, go for a walk, and stop worrying so much. Humanity has endured more than COVID-19, and we are going to be just fine. Don’t let fear cause you to become irrational.