|
Fight the Flu.........Please read and
share with your Athletes!!!!!!
This week's Speedo tip of the week comes from National Team
physician, Dr. Jim Miller. He offers some advice for fighting the
flu in the coming championship season.
The Tip:
You have completed the dreaded intensive training of the holiday
season and have two to four more months until your championship
meet. Everything has been taken into account – your event
schedule, your training and the best part – taper.
Is there anything that could mess all this up? YOU BET!
One to two weeks off with five pounds of muscle loss could surely
derail this train. That is exactly what could happen with a bout of
influenza, more commonly known as the Flu.
Open the window…and in flew enza
The flu is a viral infection that is spread through the air.
Each year, the influenza virus mutates slightly so your immunity
from the prior year will not completely protect you. The virus is a
respiratory infection that can result in a debilitating viral
pneumonia. It is very dangerous for those who have a weakened
immune system, such as the elderly or someone with a disease that
affects their immune system like diabetes.
However, if you are training doubles with long hours for
studying for exams, your immune system could also be at risk. Since
the air from a human sneeze has been clocked at hundreds of miles
per hour, one sneeze from the wrong person at the wrong time will
expose you quickly. You could be in trouble.
Prevention is key
So, what can you do to prevent the flu? The best prevention is
to boost your immune system against this virus by getting a flu
shot. This shot is ideally given one or two months before the virus
reaches your part of the country. The shot will not offer you 100%
immunity, but it decreases your likelihood of getting sick. If you
do end up catching the virus, the course would be greatly
abbreviated if you received the shot.
Still, there is a problem here. It is January and parts of the
country are already reporting cases of the flu. Does a shot
help now? That is a great question to which experts will disagree.
But, if your area has not had cases yet, even a flu shot given two
weeks in advance should give you some partial protection. And
don’t wait so long next year!
C your way through the Flu
In addition to the shot, there are other steps you can take to
avoid getting sick. In addition to proper hydration, nutrition and
sleep, some experts believe that increased Vitamin C intake may
enhance your immune system against viral infections. It is
suggested you take between 1,000 and 3,000 IU of extra Vitamin C
per day, unless you are on a medication that interacts with Vitamin
C. As always, consult your doctor before you begin taking any
supplements.
Back to Basics
When it comes to the flu, there are some basic steps you can
take to help prevent getting and spreading the virus. Wash your
hands routinely and cover your mouth when coughing and sneezing
– and of course wash your hands when you do if you did not
make it to a tissue. The antibiotic gels that do not require
water work just fine.
Take it for the team
If you feel that you are coming down with a nasty respiratory
infection whether it involves your lungs or not, get to your
medical practitioner quickly. There are antiviral medications that
make a big difference, if you start them quickly. Your medical
expert also has a rapid test, which will help to determine whether
this is influenza or not while you wait. By taking care of it
quickly, you get better faster and your team and coaches will be
more likely to stay healthy, too. You do not want to take out
your whole relay team with you!
|
