Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/869597
I f Yo u C h o o s e N o t t o R e c e i v e t h e Va c c i n e I've had the flu. The-honest-to-goodness-bones-hurt-so- much-I-wanted-to-cry real influenza bug. It was awful. My 14-year-old daughter had it, too. We spent 4 days in bed together sleeping, taking herbal nctures, and whining. I watched Sex and the City for the first me. I could barely laugh. Then we got be er. I never want to have the flu again. If you choose not to vaccinate, you have somewhat more chance of ge ng the flu – how much more is unclear. As I said, the vaccine some mes only works 50% of the me and success varies from year to year as does the vaccine viral strains. Knowing the symptoms and when to call your doctor is important. Any pregnant woman with a high fever should call her physician immediately. Di o if she is having any breathing difficulty or severe headache, either of which can be a symptom of a medical emergency. Hand hygiene – washing with soap and water or using an alcohol based hand cleanser like Purell, can greatly reduce transmission. I do not recommend an microbial hand soaps, which, actually increases bacterial resistance and probably cause more problems than they solve. A healthy diet, adequate sleep, and minimizing stress go a long way to preven ng illness and suppor ng resilience. Several herbal medicines and supplements are safe for use in pregnancy and can also boost your immune system. My 2 favorites for cold and flu preven on are Elderberry syrup and Zinc. Elderberry syrup can be taken daily; 2 tablespoons is a recommended dose. Zinc tablets can be taken in doses of 20-40 mg daily. Garlic and ginger, also safe in pregnancy, make good daily addi ons to the diet, and yellow and orange vegetables such as winter squashes and sweet potatoes are rich in vitamin A which helps to keep the respiratory passage ssue healthy and op mize its immune func ons. Finally, Echinacea is an herbalist's favorite for preven ng upper respiratory infec ons and has demonstrated safety during pregnancy. A typical dose for preven on is 5 ml of the liquid extract twice daily. No ma er what, make the best choice for YOU. Take your own situa on into considera on: Are you likely to have frequent exposures to sick pa ents or children due to your work? Do you have underlying medical condi ons that make you more vulnerable to illness? There is no right or wrong answer. The most important thing is to make a deliberate, educated choice. Page 46 | Abby's Magazine - www.AbbysMag.com abbysfarm.org abbysfarm.org abbysfarm.org visit our site to learn, contribute and/or volunteer! visit our site to learn, contribute and/or volunteer!