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How to defend yourself from flu

Two years ago, flu killed 20,000 people in this country. And, according to Professor John Oxford, Britain's top influenza expert, the particularly nasty A-strain that was responsible will probably raise its head again this year. The flu season is nearly upon us, and this year the message is: be prepared.

Vaccination
The Government's message is that those at risk should get vaccinated. It is freefor the over-65s and for anyone with diabetic, asthmatic, bronchitic or immune-system conditions. According to Professor Oxford, the "worried wellî can sometimes get the vaccine from their GPs, if there is an excess of it. Boots in Kensington High Street is offering the vaccine for £10. Call 0845 121 9001 for an appointment.

Oral medication
When all around you are dropping like flies, there is an oral flu medication, Amantadine, which is 70-90 per cent effective against the dreaded A virus. Not only will it stop you from getting it even if all your family or colleagues have,but it also w orks if taken at the first signs of flu.

This little-known drug, Lysovir (Amantadine is the trade name), is sorely underused, according to Professor Oxford. How ever, "you can't dilly-dally when you get the flu - you need to get it early on for it to w ork.î Relenza is another pow erful medication that targets both the A and B viruses and is available by prescription.
Harley Street Medical (2 Harley Street, 020 7808 6878) has an Amantadine flu-pack, w hich includes a thermometer,afive-day course and an information leaflet.

Corporate rate £15, individual rate £25.

Vitamin C
During illness, your body's vitamin C levels fall, and a daily supplement of vitamin C when the flu bug is particularly virulent is a good idea, according to many complementary practitioners. But there is a fierce debate over how much to take.

Some say you should have 1,000mg every couple of hours at the first sign of a cold or flu; others say this is simply a good way to have very expensive urine, as the body excretes any vitamins it does not need. R ecent health scares have suggested that taking too high a dose of vitamin C can cause cancer or thickening of the arteries.

However, the British Dietetic Association says that the best way to increase your levels of vitamin C is by eating lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. And get your kiwi fruit in - it has even more vitamin C than an orange. Boots sells vitamin C in chewable, effervescent and pastille form, from £1.30.

Garlic
The health-enhancing properties of the little wonder-bulb range from low ering cholesterol (by as much as 10 per cent) to fighting infection, both bacterial and viral. T he latest research proves garlic can really help to ward off colds and flu. In a recent trial of 146 volunteers, half w ere given daily garlic supplements, and had 24 colds and flus between them over a winter. The group given the placebo suffered 65 bouts of illness over the same time span. You need to consume one or two cloves a day to get a beneficial effect, or take supplements, w hich the makers claim do not cause the strong smell on breath and in sweat.
Allimax odourless capsules from Boots, Superdrug and Holland and Barrett cost £6.99 for 30. Now Odourless garlic soft gels, £5.95 (for 100) via mail order from Human Nature, 020 7328 5452. Acupuncture
Alternative therapist Pierre-Jean Cousins boasts great results with acupuncture on colds and flus. He explains that it works by tapping into your body's own responses and boosting the immune system, helping you fight the symptoms of a virus very quickly. He combines his treatments with homeopathy, and favours two remedies in particular - aconite and oscillococcinum, available from health food shops. Take them to avoid catching a flu or cold bug, or at the first symptoms.
Pierre-Jean Cousins, acupuncturist, Chinese herbalist and homeopath, is at the K ensington Therapy Centre, W8 (020 7376 1199).

Echinacea
A herbal remedy very popular during winter,fantastic for arming the body to ward off nasty bugs and fighting illness. According to Cousins, "it is something that people tend to take too much of î. He recommends taking it for 10 days at a time when the flu virus is at its height, then have a break for 10 days before taking it again. Ortis organic echinacea (20 drops a day) costs £7.95 for 100ml and is available via mail order from Human Nature, 020 7328 5452.

Common sense
The most important thing of all is to look after yourself. Sleep lots, eat up your vegetables, don't overdo the alcohol, don't smoke and remember to drink lots of fluids. Pretty obvious stuff - but you know it makes sense.