This is a bad flu season, and therapies for prevention and treatment from a sinus/throat specialist can help keep you healthy.
I would like to recommend some effective prevention and treatment steps.

Get a flu shot. The flu shot is best for preventing the current flu epidemic.

Wash the hands:
Yes, this is necessary because when you grab a door knob, or take money, some of the virus may be on the object. The virus gets on your fingers, and then you put a finger in your nose and the virus enters your body through the portal of entry called ICAM-1 in your nose. Note that people unconsciously put fingers into the nose without realizing it. Washing with soap and water is best for flu prevention.

Keep your nasal cilia moving. The better the movement of your nasal cilia, that normally move unwanted material out of the nose, the less chance of getting sick.

When you are out in the cold, the cold slows the nasal and chest cilia. If you go immediately from cold into the crowded elevator, you have a greater chance of catching whatever bug is in the air. Better, when you leave the cold, walk around the un-crowded hallway first to warm up before you enter the classroom or elevator.

What speeds nasal cilia?
Tea, lemon and honey. Must be green or black, with or without caffeine. Tea contains L theonine which is an important healer and cilia mover. Use lemon or lime.
Chicken soup has the right elements to speed nasal and chest cilia.
Humming. Hum at a low “oooommm’ to speeds cilia.
Jump rope or similar jumping jacks speed cilia.
Moistening the nose; you can use Breathe.ease XL enhanced saline as a spray; you can use regular saline that is without preservatives.
Pulse wave saline irrigation. With the Hydro Pulse your rate of pulsation is matched to encourage cilia movement, as well as to clear the nose and sinuses.

Block the portal of entry:
There is a molecule in the nose called Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 or ICAM-1. The virus enters by attaching to this molecule. For my patients who always get sick when they fly, I have them use the Breathe.ease XL Nasal gel when they fly. This is to block the nasal membranes so that the virus can’t get to the ICAM-1. This has not been tested for this flu epidemic, but in theory, should help.
Face mask is important, but it must be sealed properly so that all the breathing is through the filter.

Remove the portal of entry of the virus:
For my patients who get very ill during the cold season, I have them use the Hydro Pulse™ Irrigation during the cold season, once or twice a day. The theory is that the pulsation to restore cilia movement also removes ICAM-1; without the ICAM-1 being present, there is no entryway for the cold virus. This has not been tested for the flu virus epidemic, but may work.

Add Xylitol to the Hydro Pulse™ basin:
I am having my patients add three teaspoons of Xylitol to the 500 cc of saline in the Hydro Pulse™ basin during the epidemic.
Xylitol is type of sugar used by persons who have diabetes, because it is metabolized by the liver and not by glucose. It is sold in the grocery store in the diabetic section. (it is not sold in pharmacies). The idea is that adding the Xylitol will reduce the number of bacteria in your nose and sinuses. The Xylitol doesn’t kill the bacteria, it only reduces the numbers. This helps your own body healing mechanism.

Antibiotics won’t prevent or cure a virus infection. But they may be needed in this flu epidemic for secondary complications. If your doctor does prescribe an antibiotic, ask about using a Macrolide. Macrolide antibiotics such as Zithromax have a secondary benefit for a bacterial infection, because they are also anti-inflammatory as well.

Get a flu shot. I hear dozens of excuses for not getting a shot:
I hear they don’t work
All this advertising for the flu shot is just so they can make money
I know someone who had a shot last year and it make him sick.
I am too healthy to need a shot.
I take vitamins, so I don’t need the shot.
I hear that getting the shot gives you the flu.

If any of these are your excuses, I repeat: get a flu shot!

Does Tamiflu help? Yes, if taken at the very onset of the flu, within 48 hours. Esp important for children this season. You can download a discount coupon at http://www.tamiflu.com/

Does Netflix help? Yes, resting and watching comedies helps. The more you smile, the better your immune response.

Use Honey. Honey is best for sore throat and cough. Honey has antibacterial action and thins mucus.

Be very careful about using “flowback” irrigators, such as Neti Pot or squeeze bottles. These suction back mucus from the nose that contaminates the container. The infection can multiply, and when the pot is reused, you get a concentration of infected material from the contaminated device.

As an aid to flu prevention:

You can order the Breathe.ease XL nasal gel and the Breathe.ease Xl for nasal spray at www.grossan.com