Influenza: Why do we mostly catch the flu during winter?

Why do we mostly catch the flu during winter and some other flu facts?!

The winter is at our door, and that means that there will be more people who will catch the flu. Many have started to prepare for cold weather. Before us is vaccination against flu, however, why is the flu epidemic so high during winter?

Flu is most common between December and February, but it can also be highly unpredictable and can start attacking people even in October.

Scientists aren’t completely sure why this disease is more common during winter, but they have a few theories.

Research has shown that due to cold, dry conditions, virus particles can live in the air for a longer time period and reach further distances then during hotter temperatures.

Study done in 2007 has shown that the outer layer of the flu virus becomes tougher on lower temperature which allows microbes to travel through air from person to person.

“Virus loves low air temperature. It seems that it best survives in that kind of conditions.” – dr Len Horovic from Lenox Hill hospital in New York has said.

People spend much more time in closed spaces during winter, which allows additional chance for virus to spread more. – dr Bruce Lee from Public health school of Pittsburg university has said.

Experts claim that the best way to protect ourselves from flu is vaccination against this disease.

The truth women don’t like to hear: The flue really hits men harder

If you roll your eyes each time your boyfriend or husband starts complaining on exhaustion or high temperature, pay attention to the results of the latest research that shows that flu really hits men harder than women.

Scientists from Stanford have determined that high level of testosterone can really weaken the immune system. They have analyzed the reaction of women and men to the flu vaccine and they have realized that ladies create more anti bodies so they are more durable to viruses.

Men with lower testosterone levels are also more durable to flu.

- This is a first study that shows a direct link between levels of testosterone and the immune system at men. All those who take supplements based on testosterone should really think about their intake – microbiology and immunology professor on Stanford Mark Davis has said.

Scientists still cannot realize why evolution has designed a hormone that boosts classic male characteristics such as muscle strength and at the same time weakens the immune system of a male.

Health insurance and flu

If you don’t have health insurance, or your current health insurance package covers only higher and bigger diseases, you should consider changing it. If you have problems with your health insurance because of you financial situation and debt, you should think about settling your debt as soon as possible. Your health and wellbeing isn’t something to be toyed with.

If you don’t know how to settle your debts, you should consider hiring a debt consolidation company to help you. Go and view the top ten reviews of the best debt consolidation companies that could help you deal with your debts, and create a debt plan for improving your health insurance and protect yourself from flue. Be sure to find the health insurance package that covers the flu vaccination.

Food that can protect you from the flu

If you have been caught by a cold or flu, do not seek antibiotics. These diseases are caused by viruses, and antibiotics only kill bacteria. You will have much more use from garlic, honey, orange juice and cinnamon.

In order to keep and improve our health it is necessary to adjust our diet to the season, but also to watch what kind of food are we eating, and how it is made and In what amount.

There isn’t a single or more types of groceries that have miracle effects that could heal us faster without getting rid of other life habits (smoking, lack of physical activity, alcohol intake).

So after getting life habits in order, what should we eat to keep us safe from flue?

Chicken soup – Warm chicken soup should be eaten as often as possible. It increases the temperature in your nose and throat thus creating unfavorable environment for viruses that favor colder and dryer conditions. Also breathing in of hot steam from chicken soup dilutes mucus, so it is easier to get rid of it from the nose.

Eat raw onions and garlic – Except garlic, onion is very effective and helpful food against flu because it features similar useful ingredients. It is best to be eaten fresh and raw, but if is too hot for you, try adding it to meals such as soup or porridge.

Spoon of honey against flu – Honey has antivirus effect so it helps in fighting against flue. Honey encapsulates the throat and calms down the cough and it is rich in anti-oxidants that boost the immune system.

Drink a lot of lemonade – Lemonade, except being a source of vitamin C, stimulates the work of saliva glands and it helps the secretion of saliva. Lemonade is best combined with honey.