Prepare Now to Ward Off Approaching Flu

Photo: Child with the Flu
Down to Earth

Flu season, which generally falls between October and May, has hit the mainland hard this year, with levels reaching epidemic proportions in every state except California and Mississippi. While the numbers remain low in Hawai’i, state health officials predict that we will see a spike in flu activity within a month.

The flu virus is spread through the air, when droplets of saliva or mucus transport the virus from one person to another. As spring travel increases between Hawai’i and the mainland, the flu virus is likely to hitch a ride and can spread quickly in the closed compartment of an airplane. The virus can also live on silverware, dishes, keyboards, telephones and other hard surfaces that have been touched by someone who has the flu.

The germs spread when someone touches those surfaces and then touches their eyes, nose or mouth.

Symptoms of the flu include headache, fever, chills, muscle aches and pains, and a dry cough. If you or anyone in your family has these symptoms, the best way to avoid spreading the flu is to stay home, go to bed and drink plenty of water. Even if you have someone at home with the flu, you can avoid transmission by washing your hands thoroughly and often, as well as disinfecting surfaces that they may have touched. A person can be contagious a day before symptoms appear, and they may remain contagious for up to a week after their first symptoms.

The best way to avoid spreading the flu is to get into the habit of covering your mouth and nose when you sneeze and washing your hands regularly, especially after you touch your mouth, nose or eyes.

There are numerous ways to protect yourself to avoid catching the flu. Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly—and often. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer only if soap and water are not available. Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose and mouth. Since the flu virus can survive for hours on surfaces of public places described above—as well as door knobs, stairway rails, and key pads on ATM machines and electronic payment devices at cash registers—wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands, often! Doctors recommend taking a daily multivitamin, and making sure you are getting plenty of vitamin D. Staying rested and hydrated are two ways to keep your immune system healthy. In addition, if you’re planning to do any travelling or host any travellers between Hawai’i and the mainland, make sure to take plenty of immune boosters before the trip or consider wearing a mask on the plane.

  • Some natural immune boosters include the following:
  • Probiotics, in supplement form or from live-culture yogurt, support healthy digestion, which strengthens the immune system.1
  • Vitamin C, in the form of tablets or from fresh fruits and vegetables, supports the body’s natural antimicrobial abilities.2
  • Elderberry syrup has been found to contain antiviral properties and to be an effective remedy against the flu virus as well as a potent immune booster overall.3

We’re fortunate in Hawai’i to be able to have an advance warning for the elevated risk of flu this year. But the reality is that, with tourists arriving from all parts of the world all the time, and there's always flu somewhere, it's always flu season in Hawaii. At Down to Earth, we hope you always take precautions to ensure your good health and the good health of your family, friends, and co-workers. Stay home if you get sick, stock up on natural immune boosters and flu remedies, and always practice stay-healthy habits. Wash your hands often!

  1. Reid, G., Jass, J., McCormick, J., & Sebulsky, M. (2003). Potential uses of probiotics in clinical practice. Clin. Microbiol. Rev. , 16(4), 658-72. doi: 10.1128/CMR.16.4.658-672.2003.
  2. Wintergerst, E., Maggini, S., & Hornig, D. (2006). Immune-enhancing role of vitamin c and zinc and effect on clinical conditions. Ann Nutr Metab,50(2), 85-94.
  3. Barak, V., Halperin, T., & Kalickman, I. (2001). The effect of sambucol, a black elderberry-based, natural product, on the production of human cytokines: I. inflammatory cytokines. Eur Cytokine Netw., 12(2), 290-6.