Has the flu shot been proven to ward off colds?
831194
No.  The flu shot has nothing to do with cold viruses.  You've just been lucky to not have gotten a cold.  But it wasn't because of the flu shot you got 3 years ago.
695487
Actually no.  While data shows that vitamin C certainly boosts the immune system, it has never been proven that it prevents illness.\nHOWEVER, it has been proven that vitamin C can reduce the duration of a cold... so, about 1000 mg per day once you begin to feel the onset of a cold, and it's likely to shorten the length of your illness.\n\noh and p.s. too much vitamin C can NOT hurt you.  It is a water soluble vitamin, which means your body will use what it can, and excrete the rest in urine.
833191
Don't bother. There is no benefit in a flu shot.\n\nDo NOT get vaccinated.\n\nA vaccinated person is MORE likely to get a disease than  a non-vaccinated person. The whole theory of vaccination is flawed. It causes a weakening of the immune system thus making those who are innoculated more susceptible to disease.\nThere are so many awful side effects to vaccination that it should be considered extremely dangerous.\nJust sit back and think for a while.\nIs there any sense in injecting a disease directly into your body.\nWe have been subjected to an awful mind control program to enable the drug manufacturers to make a fortune.\n\nThe Vaccination Hoax\nhttp://www.whale.to/b/hoax1.html\n\n\nIf you go to the vaccination liberation web page, at\nhttp://www.vaclib.org/exemption.htm\nYou will find all the forms necessary to provide exemption for your child.\n\nIf you want to study the history of vaccination, see\nhttp://dgwa1.fortunecity.com/body/vaccination.html
24709
First, I assume you meant "fignt a cold."  I've found Zicam products to be excellent in warding off a cold.  There are several kinds, but the Zicam brand is all good.  There's another product called "Airborne" that's great.  Both of the above are homeopathic, non-toxic, and no side effects.  Can't beat that.
465710
nothing. basically the flu shot is putting a weak flu virus into your body. that way your body can develop an resistance against it.
559194
Try this\nLaboratory tests show Sambucol® neutralises Common and Avian Flu Virus H5N1 \nAdded: (Thu Jan 19 2006) \n\nNew research, carried out by Retroscreen Virology has indicated that \nSambucol®, a patented formula, may fight the virulent Avian Flu virus. Results have been presented yesterday, Wednesday, in a press conference held in the Royal Society of Medicine, London. Speakers included Prof. Hannoun, Emeritus Professor at the Pasteur Institute and Dr. Mumcuoglu, developer of Sambucol®. \n\nLaboratory trials held in a leading research institute, Retroscreen Virology \nLtd, associated with the University of London found Sambucol® to be at least \n99% effective against the Avian Flu virus H5N1. Sambucol® was effective at \nsignificantly neutralising the infectivity of the virus in cell cultures. These \nresults will also be presented during the International Conference on Bird Flu: \n“The First Pandemic of the 21st Century. A Central Role for Antivirals”, to be \nheld at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital on January 19th-20th 2006. \n\nDr. Madeleine Mumcuoglu, is looking into further investigations into the \nactivity of Sambucol® against Avian Flu on a wider scale. \n\nIn an earlier study (1995) Sambucol® was found to be effective against a wide range of influenza strains. Laboratory studies conducted at the Hebrew \nUniversity – Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem demonstrated the activity \nof Sambucol® against human, swine, and avian influenza strains. \nSambucol®'s efficacy was also demonstrated in two double blind, placebo \ncontrolled clinical studies. Sambucol® was shown to cut the duration and \nseverity of the common flu by up to half. \n\nENDS \n\nNotes to editors; \nSambucol® is based on an active substance isolated from the black elderberry. \nManufactured by Razei Bar Industries Israel, Sambucol® is available in 17 \ncountries and in the UK is sold in Tesco, leading chemists, independent health \nfood stores and wholesalers from £8.49. \n\nFor photography please visit the following site and enter the log in details: \nFTP address: ftp://pixelit.co.il \nuser name: ftp_razeibar \npassword: 63+84675 \n\n\nFor further press information please contact: Francesca Gaffey/Cheryl Davies, \nCommunique Public Relations, Waterside, No2 Canal Street, Manchester, M1 \n3HE. Tel: 0161 242 5120/0161 242 5108 Fax: 0161 228 7391 E-mail: \nfrancesca.gaffey@communiquepr.co.uk cheryl.davies@communiquepr.co.uk \n\nFor research information please visit: Retroscreen Virology Ltd. at: \nhttp://www.retroscreen.com/ \n\nFor product information please visit: \nRazei Bar Industries (1996) Ltd. At: www.sambucol.com
967019
Technically you cannot get sick from a dead virus so he either has this because he was convinced beforehand that he would be sure to get sick or he has picked up another bug. The flu shot only protects you from the particular type of flu that it was developed for. It does NOT protect you from all strains of the flu.
577485
1. Vitamin C Works Wonders \nVitamin C works in the body as a scavenger picking up all sorts of trash — including virus trash. It can shorten the length of a cold from seven days to maybe two or three days. Vitamin C may also cut back on coughing, sneezing, and other symptoms. In a study conducted at the University of Wisconsin, cold sufferers taking 500 milligrams of vitamin C four times a day suffered only half as many symptoms as those not taking the vitamin. Short-term use of such high doses shouldn't cause any side effects. But you should get your doctor's okay before starting any kind of supplement programme. Better yet, simply get your additional vitamin C by drinking it —orange, grapefruit, and cranberry juices are rich sources of vitamin C. \n2. The Power Of Zinc \nSucking on zinc lozenges can cut colds short, to an average of four days. Zinc can also dramatically reduce symptoms such as a dry irritated throat. It doesn't work for everyone, but when it works, it works. The down side is that zinc has an unpleasant taste. There are, however lozenges on the market that contain honey and/or citrus that are a lot easier to swallow. But do not take more than the amount recommended by your doctor. Zinc can be toxic in large doses. \n3. Bundle Up \nKeep bundled up against the cold. This keeps your immune system cosily focused on fighting your cold infection instead of displacing energy to protect you from the cold. \n4. Walk Your Cold Away \nMild exercise improves your circulation, helping your immune system circulate infection-fighting antibodies. Jump on a gentle rebounder indoors for 15 minutes or take a brisk half-hour walk. But refrain from strenuous exercise, which could wear you out. \n5. Feed A Cold \nThe very fact that you have a cold in the first place may point to your eating "too congesting a diet" that puts a strain on your body's metabolism. Counteract it by eating fewer fatty foods, meat and milk products, and more fresh fruit and vegetables. \n6. Chicken Soup For Your Cold \nA long-time folk remedy is now a proven fact; a cup of hot chicken soup can help unclog your nasal passages. Researchers at Mount Sinai Medical Centre in Miami Beach found that hot chicken soup, either because of its aroma or its taste, "appears to possess an additional substance for increasing the flow of nasal mucus." These secretions-what comes out when you blow your nose or sneeze- serve a first line of defence in removing germs from your system, the researchers say. \n7. Drown The Pests \nDrink six to eight glasses of water, juice, tea, and other mostly clear liquids daily. This will replace important fluids lost during a cold and help flush out impurities that may be preying on your system. \n8. Kick The Butt \nSmoking aggravates a throat that may already feel irritated from a cold. It also interferes with the infection-fighting activity of cilia, the microscopic "fingers" that sweep bacteria out of your lungs and throat. So if you can't kick the habit for good, at least do it while you've got a cold! \n9. Saline Relief \nRelieve an irritated throat by gargling morning, noon, and night-or whenever it hurts most. Fill a glass with warm water and mix in 1 teaspoon of salt. Take small sips and let it roll around as low in your throat as possible. \n10. Get Yourself In Some Hot Water \nTaking a steamy shower can help clear congestion. Or heat a teakettle or pot of water to boiling on your stove, turn off the flame, drape a towel in a tent over your head and the kettle, and inhale the steam until it subsides. This also relieves your cough by moistening your dry throat. \n11. Grease Your Way \nRelieve a raw nose by applying a lubricating layer of petroleum jelly around and slightly inside your nostrils with a cotton swab. \n12. Midnight Medicines \nNumerous medications for colds are available without a prescription. Some treat specific symptoms. Others contain a combination of drugs
34067
Nope. Colds are viral. Antibiotics do nothing to viruses. If you get a sinus infection or something like that along with the cold the antibiotics would cure the infection, but it wont help the cold. Take some things like vitamin C and echinacea to naturally boost your immune system and you may get over it quicker.
687670
yes they do get the flu like all other human beings.  There's yearly flu immunizations in all of nunavut for that very reason.  Canada spends about 32 million bucks a year on such campaigns.
159365
It usually masks the problem until your body fixes it.  Most over the counter cold/flu medicine are ineffective.\n\nMake sure you don't take things you don't need.  If you only have a cough...take only cough medicine...not the 'all-in-one' (Nyquil style).
186223
no, reason being, that the virus for the common cold is ever changing. this is the same reason why we are seeing new strains of flu every year. and also the reason for the current strain of the bird flu. new strains are formed from the old viruses and they become stronger and immune to whatever "cures" we come up with. unless you can completely kill the virus, it will come back.
353587
Before I start-penicillin is an antibiotic which kills bacteria, not viruses...it has no effect on viruses- In addition, penicillin is no longer widely used because there are so many resistant strains of bacteria, and is not used in general for respiratory infections.  A flu shot is taken to keep you from getting flu, since it aids the immune system in recognizing the influenza virus.\nOnce the body recognizes the virus, it produces anibodies, both circulating and on the surface of certain immune cells- Quickly, the antibodies will begin to stick to the viruses, often deactivating them-other immune cells come in, absorb the virus is a special way so that the virus is rendered harmless, and packaged into internal capsules called "lysosomes" which contain some very nasty molecules that destroy the virus itself.
695844
YOU GOT SICK FROM THE SPRAY THEMA FLU HELPS\nIF ITS FLU
336338
The cold weather itself doesn't bring on the flu, it has more to do with the fact that there is less outside air circulating in the winter (because of closed windows/doors, etc.) and then people have a better chance of coming into contact with the virus.
121516
There are many ways to avoid a cold and if you should get one zinc is a good supplement to help you get over it.  This year I found out that 6 drops of Tea Tree Oil in a small amount of water really helped me.  I have not been sick all year, even though everyone else was.  You drink the water and tea tree oil.  It smells awlful and taste bad too, but it really helps.  Important to know that you don't mix meds with herbs, oil or any holistic stuff, leave about an hour between the two.  \n\nAlso washing of the hands and using water nasal spray helps in prevention of spreading the virus.\n\nWintergreen, cinnamon, eucylipus and peppermint oils also help in reliving aches and pains due to colds.  Helps break up congestion.  \n\nA tablespoon of cider vinger daily also helps the body fight off many illnesses.  Very good for digestion.\n\nIf your digestive tract and bowels don't work properly you are open to many illnesses.  Acidospholis is excellent for keeping your digestive tract in order and keeps you healthy.
958040
That's true.  The cold virus mutates constantly.  If you were exposed to the exact same virus again, your body "remembers" and can fight it off before you have any cold symptoms.  However, a new mutation is not recognized, and can produce all the symptoms all over again.\n\nRe: the flu shot.  (above) \nInfluenza is NOT the cold virus - it's completely different, and mutates much more slowly.  That's why they can predict with reasonable certainty which variety needs to be in the flu shot.  It is NOT worthless.