saving money in cold and flu season

[tgavin71]

Well our house has been hit with the flu. Thought we were going to miss it this winter but alas that was not to be. Does anyone have any money saving ideas on how to deal with it. Thanks

[PRICEPLUS]

Lots of tea with lemon and other clear fluids such as chicken soup. Use generic pain relievers and decongestants. In flu season folks must remember to be vigilant and wash their hands regularly.

Basically all money saving concepts remain constant unless there is an emergency!

[Staceyy]

In Russia, I understand they sometimes use raw garlic in place of antibiotics. The garlic should be chopped and the optimum dosage is 4-5 large cloves during an illness. Its best to work up to that amount. This is supposed to be good for flus, pneumonia or any situation that would warrant an antibiotic.

[Ima saver]

I have never really bought anything that helps. Just chicken soup and lots of liquids, aspirin for the aches and pains.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by Staceyy

In Russia, I understand they sometimes use raw garlic in place of antibiotics. The garlic should be chopped and the optimum dosage is 4-5 large cloves during an illness. Its best to work up to that amount. This is supposed to be good for flus, pneumonia or any situation that would warrant an antibiotic.

The flu can not be treated with antibiotics as it is a viral condition. The biggest waste is all the people who demand antibiotics to treat colds and flu. Save the antibiotics for bacterial infections.

[Ima saver]

So what would you reccommend, disneysteve?

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by Ima saver

So what would you reccommend, disneysteve?

Lots of fluids, Tylenol for fever and body aches, lots of rest and treat the symptoms: cough syrup for cough, decongestant for congestion, etc.

[Ima saver]

Thanks , you can send me your bill!!

[LuxLiving]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

Lots of fluids, Tylenol for fever and body aches, lots of rest and treat the symptoms: cough syrup for cough, decongestant for congestion, etc.

I second DisneySteve's advice...plus for any sniffles/congestion/head gunk I advise taking lots of B6 & Vitamin E & Vit. A&D - this works especially well for ear aches. It dries out your head fast! Not lots as in LOTS, but start off with 2 of each and then about 12 hours later go to 1 of each and next day 1 of each each 12 hour period - basically upon rising and retiring.

It's been YEARS since I've been to the doc for any cold/congestion problems. But I also take a Multi-B, C & garlic tab every morn!

-LuxLivingFrugalis

P.S. I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV - so enter at your own risk!

[Jacklad]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

The flu can not be treated with antibiotics as it is a viral condition. The biggest waste is all the people who demand antibiotics to treat colds and flu. Save the antibiotics for bacterial infections.

Some flus are viral, but some are a bacterial infection caused by bacteria such as Haemophilus influenza coccobacilli. See

Other flulike diseases can be caused by strepococcol or pnemococcal infections (all bacterial), and even some strains of staphylococcus. If you have any respiratory disease that hangs around for more than a week, you should probably get checked out for either primary or secondary bacterial causes.

The good news is that garlic has antiviral properties as well - although I prefer to load my chicken soup with it rather than eating it raw.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...uerySuggestion
http://www.mothernature.com/Library/...oks/41/120.cfm
http://www.primary.net/~gic/herb/coldflu.htm

Jackie

[Ima saver]

disneysteve is a doctor! I have never been to the doctor for a cold or flu, but I have only ever been to the doctor once or twice in my life!

[Jacklad]

Originally Posted by Ima saver

disneysteve is a doctor! I have never been to the doctor for a cold or flu, but I have only ever been to the doctor once or twice in my life!

Then he knows that you can get bacterial influenzas, too. My first career (which seems like a lifetime ago) was as a medical laboratory technologist, so I've seen my fair share of bacteria. Strep was number one on the hit list, but the staph cultures were usually the toughest (but often easiest to identify; the pure cultures of some strains have a very (!) distinctive, aka nauseating, odour :vomit-smiley-009: ).

And the sickest I ever was in my life was a pneumococcal pneumonia - it took me two weeks before I got my butt into the doctor's office and got the antibiotics I needed to kick it. I always start off assuming a virus (especially if the mucus produced is clear), but if it hangs around I get it checked.

Jackie

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by Jacklad

If you have any respiratory disease that hangs around for more than a week, you should probably get checked out for either primary or secondary bacterial causes.

I agree, Jackie. I was thinking more of the people who come in and we have this conversation:

Doctor: So what's wrong?
Patient: I have this terrible cold that I just can't get rid of.
Doctor: How long have you been sick?
Patient: I woke up like this today. I just know I need an antibiotic.

The flu can lead to pneumonia or a throat or ear infection, and those conditions may need an antibiotic. I've got easy access to any medicine I want and when I have a bad cold, I take store brand NyQuil.

[Jacklad]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

I agree, Jackie. I was thinking more of the people who come in and we have this conversation:

Doctor: So what's wrong?
Patient: I have this terrible cold that I just can't get rid of.
Doctor: How long have you been sick?
Patient: I woke up like this today. I just know I need an antibiotic.

Maybe you should just keep some placebos on hand - or write them a prescription for garlic! People seem to think that there's some magic pill that will instantly make them better, but fluids, sleep and time are usually the key.

Of course, my favourite conversation with my doctor was when I was a tech in the hospital lab (which he knew full well) and he asked me if I had recently been exposed to anything. Seeing as I spent my day surrounded by every bodily fluid imaginable and growing bugs for fun and profit, it just struck me as very funny. I asked him if he wanted the list alphabetical or by virulence.

Originally Posted by disneysteve

The flu can lead to pneumonia or a throat or ear infection, and those conditions may need an antibiotic. I've got easy access to any medicine I want and when I have a bad cold, I take store brand NyQuil.

NyQuil knocks me out (which can be a blessing when I'm sick), but I usually stick with the generic ibuprofen cold and sinus tablets and a hot cup of tea with lemon. Oh, and the venerable Vicks Vaporub (mechanical effects at best, but there's that comfort factor based on memories of Mom treating childhood colds). Add a duvet and a couple of warm cats and I'm as comfortable as I'm going to get in that situation.

Oh, and chicken soup with garlic, of course (sometimes Grandma did know best).

Jackie

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by Jacklad

Of course, my favourite conversation with my doctor was when I was a tech in the hospital lab (which he knew full well) and he asked me if I had recently been exposed to anything. Seeing as I spent my day surrounded by every bodily fluid imaginable and growing bugs for fun and profit, it just struck me as very funny. I asked him if he wanted the list alphabetical or by virulence.

I have the same problem each time I go to the Red Cross to donate blood and they ask me if I've ever been exposed to anyone with hepatitis. Duh! I have a load of hep C patients in my practice, but I know they aren't referring to casual contact so I just say no.

[getforfree]

The garlic helpsif you got a cold, I know for sure.

I used it on myself, and it helped me. Just eat as much as you can. It tastes awful, but helps.

If it's just a cold, and not flu or anything serious, it will go away in about 7 days, even if you don't use anything. I personally don't like to use any medication, so sometimes, I just wait a few days, and it will go away.

ButI don't know about flu, my kids never had it, and I don't remember if I ever had one.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by getforfree

If it's just a cold, and not flu or anything serious, it will go away in about 7 days

We always tell patients if we do nothing, it will last 7 days. If we give you an antibiotic, it'll last a week.

[tgavin71]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

We always tell patients if we do nothing, it will last 7 days. If we give you an antibiotic, it'll last a week.

LOL.

We are all feeling a lot better. Have upped the mulitivitamins to 2 a day and will reduce back to 1 a day when 100%. Have been harping on at the kids about drinking lots of fruit and vegie juices as well.

I am obessed with washing my hands and do so at least 10 times a day. I never touch the pedestrain walk buttons on the lights with my hand. I use my elbow. Every time I come up to one I just think of all the germs lurking. Yucko. Same goes for pens at banks, post office etc. I use my own.
I also only buy frozen vegies or fresh produce in a pack where others can't getting there grubby hands on it. Hubby thinks I am mad but I don't care. Now if I could just work out a way to exchange money with out having to touch it....

As for the placebo effect I use it with my kids. If one of them complains about having a headache I give them about 1/5 of the recommended dosage. Always gets rid of the headache. Also I have used everyday moisturer to treat heaps of conditions. 99.9% of the time it has physical effect whatsoever but my kids think it does so that is all that matters. Of course I would never do anything that would harm my children.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by tgavin71

As for the placebo effect I use it with my kids. If one of them complains about having a headache I give them about 1/5 of the recommended dosage. Always gets rid of the headache.

The problem with this method is that you are teaching them to reach for a pill everytime something is wrong. Our society has become far too dependent on pills for every little thing. Sometimes the best treatment is a little rest and a little time. If the problem is still there, then you can take the pill.

[tgavin71]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

The problem with this method is that you are teaching them to reach for a pill everytime something is wrong. Our society has become far too dependent on pills for every little thing. Sometimes the best treatment is a little rest and a little time. If the problem is still there, then you can take the pill.

Very true. I should have said that I give this minute amount of medicine after they have had a glass of water and had some quiet time. The medicine is disgusting and I know they must be really desperate to ask for it.