Prevention is better than cure.

Everyone should think more about health and how to prevent and protect if there is any illness. Whether it is any disease or any Viral infection, prevention and early diagnosis and treatment on time is important. 

Viruses are like abduct. They invade living, normal cells and use those cells to multiply and produce other viruses like themselves. This can kill, damage, or change the cells and make you sick. Different viruses attack certain cells in your body such as your liver, respiratory system, or blood. Different types of Viruses attack different organs of the body.

Many viral infections are contagious. They can be transmitted from person to person in many of the same ways, including coming into close contact with a person who has a viral infection. contact with the body fluids of a person with a viral infection

If the body's immune system is unable to fight off the virus, it multiplies and spreads to other cells, repeating the process and leading to a widespread infection.

Some of the most common viral infections include: 

· Common cold.

· Influenza (flu)

· Herpes.

· Chickenpox.

· Mumps.

· Human papillomavirus (HPV)

· Measles.

· Rubella.

If we think about flu and Cancer patients, flu is a contagious viral infection and highly susceptible for Immunity Compromised patients like Cancer.

What is Flu?

When we hear about Viral infection first thought that normally comes to mind is the Common cold, Flu. Influenza ( Flu ) is a viral infection that attacks your respiratory system — your nose, throat, and lungs. Influenza is commonly called the flu and it’s very common in kids as well as in adults. These viruses spread when a person with flu coughs, sneezes, or talk, sending droplets with the virus into the air and potentially into the mouths or noses of people who are nearby.

For most people with good immunity, the flu resolves on its own with symptomatic treatment. But sometimes, influenza and its complications can be risky especially in high-risk patients like Cancer as already Cancer patients have low Immunity. Common signs and symptoms of the flu include:

· Fever with headache

· Body ache 

· Dry, persistent cough

· Shortness of breath and 

· Sore throat

· Tiredness and weakness

· Runny or stuffy nose, burning eyes

· Vomiting and diarrhoea, but this is more common in children than adults

For people in these high-risk groups like Cancer, the flu can be more serious and can lead to dehydration, other infections like pneumonia, and hospitalization. If you have emergency signs and symptoms of the flu, get medical care right away. For adults, emergency signs and symptoms can include:

· Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

· Chest pain

· Ongoing dizziness

· Seizures

· Worsening of existing medical conditions

· Severe weakness or muscle pain

Cancer patients are immune-compromised and during treatment again immunity becomes less which control their body’s defence mechanism system. Cancer treatments can affect the immune system and so affects the whole-body system. As mentioned, higher chances of being diagnosed with flu is low immunity people. So, Cancer patients are always at high risk of infection like Flu due to Cancer itself, its different treatment, poor nutrition, and many other comorbidities and their medicines, stress. So, symptoms may aggravate.

How To Protect from Flu

●        Get Vaccinated every year patients as well as surrounding all family members by consulting physician

●        Increase immunity with a Nutritious diet and healthy lifestyle.

●        Wash your hands frequently. ...

●        Avoid close contact with people who are sick in-home and outside and as visitors.

●        Stay home when you are sick. 

●        Don't eat raw or undercooked, stale food.

●        Eat nutritious homemade food.

●        Practice personal hygiene.

· Wear a mask in places with sick people, like clinic waiting rooms. Even in the home to protect from other family members who have Flu.

· Avoid large crowds.     

· Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose with your hand.

· Manage stress to maintain immunity 

·    Inclusion of herbs to increase immunity    

· Report to a physician immediately if any signs and symptoms of infection.

Every morning taking one spoon of Chyawanprash helps in boosting immunity and strengthens the respiratory system. 

Golden Milk: Before sleeping, taking golden milk is one of the best remedies to get rid of symptoms like fever, cold and running nose, etc. Even with salt water gargling, green tea helps in it. Inclusion of Herbs like Awala, Tulsi, Turmeric, Ginger, sunth, Lavang, black pepper helps to increase immunity and even to fight against infection.

A balanced diet consisting of vitamins and minerals, combined with healthy lifestyle factors like adequate sleep and exercise, and low stress helps s the body to fight infection and disease. With proper diagnosis, timely approach to physician and on-time treatment, healthy diet you can treat the flu and avoid its complications.