Study: Winter "Coat" Helps Flu Flourish

But, Research Says, It Melts When Warm Weather Arrives, So Flu Backs Off

(CBS)  The latest research into why the flu virus is so rugged in winter months could lead to new ways to prevent and treat it, scientists suggest.

On The Early Show Monday, medical contributor Dr. Holly Phillips of CBS station WCBS-TV in New York observed that experts have long wondered why the flu is primarily a winter phenomenon, and there was never a single answer to explain it completely.

Now, Phillips says, a team of researchers from the National Institutes of Health has found that the flu virus coats itself with a fatty material that hardens and protects it in colder temperatures.

When the mercury rises, the coating melts, and unless it's inside a person, the virus dies.

And, once it's inside a human, the respiratory tract melts the coating, and the virus is then able to infect the person's cells.

Might that finding lead to a cure, or new treatments?

The virus' shell, Phillips explained, may make it difficult to wash off of surfaces and fingertips. In in theory, that information may enable scientists to develop a detergent or wash that could eradicate the virus and cut down on its transmission.

Until that happens, the best defense against the flu is a flu shot, Phillips says.

Other steps you could take:

1) Avoid sugar: Sugar is thought to limit the immune system

2) Avoid stress and get enough rest: Stress and fatigue sabotage your immune system

3) Eat garlic regularly: Some evidence says garlic kills flu viruses in addition to bacteria and fungus

4) Exercise: It boosts your immune system

5) Keep windows slightly open: Good air circulation may minimize the spread of winter viruses.

6) Wash hands frequently. "We can't say it enough," Phillips stressed.

[puzzler125]

Ever talk with someone who says, "gee, I''m so sick I should have stayed home from work/school/etc today but I had to..." What they did was infect others! Stay home when you are sick!

[beehive21-2009]

Vit. C,drink or eat C daily, = no illness,try it,be the judge for yourselves,however,it must be in a grape friuts,oranges,limes,lemons,strawberries,lettuce {romaine)etc., natural food ,not pills unless last resort.Vit C is urinated out daily and must be replaced daily.Please take it daily and say good bye to the flu,colds forever ,wash hands regularly before eating,everything you touch and breath out in the world may bring you in contact with disease,wash hands.

[talkingham]

Gee, I wonder if the fact every year just as the winter season arrives we also enter the holiday season and millions and millions of people enter the transit system going to grandmas, football bowl games and the like- literally sprading virus types of all descriptions as they go. Thanksgiving and Christmas signal the real start of the flu season each year because people travel, shop, touch and eat everything in their paths. It''s the year''s biggest touchfest, travelfest and buffet dinner all rolled into one.

I think the "winter flu" is just as likely started by the holiday travel season as outside temperatures but I doubt any of these high paid researchers would dare look at something so simple as a "migration" phenomenon called the holidays.

There are plenty of intestinal flus around all year long but the ball really gets rolling in the holiday travel season because people spread it as they go. It only takes one person to infect an entire airport.