The recent freakout concerning this new flu strain highlights how far we have come to rely on medical technology when it comes to health care. A flu strain for which there is no "vaccine"? Pandemonium!!! Well, guess what? Viruses have been around long before there were humans, and they'll be here long after we're gone. (Heck, they may even outlast the cockroaches.) They're masters of mutation, and they always will be. There will always be newer stronger viruses. That's how evolution works, y'know?
So what can you do? Same as always.
First of all, take note of where the virus erupted and has done the most damage : Mexico City, a very crowded dirty city with a known sanitation problem. It's also a poor city where it's safe to say that the nutrition is poor. Notice that in the death toll numbers, you never hear things like, "Strong vibrant healthy people - falling like flies!!!" Why not? Because it's not happening. This flu, like ANY flu, kills people who are already vulnerable due to weakened immune systems. (In fact, while everyone has been freaking out about the swine flu, the "regular" flu has killed way more people during the same time frame.)
Also, note that while there have been more and more cases reported in the U.S., the cases have been very mild -- not really any different clinically than a regular flu. Healthy people who happen to pick up the virus get a little sick, miss some school and/or work, and then get well. Even without a swine-flu-specific pharmaceutical. Why? Because the human immune system is already designed to fight viruses. Just as viruses adapt, our immune system also knows that game. It's how we co-evolved. It doesn't make sense to pour countless dollars and energy into trying to make a specific cure for each specific virus. It can't work due to the nature of viruses. Doesn't it make more sense to strengthen natural immune systems, which are already supremely designed to fight viruses?
So how do you fight a virus? Yeah, yeah, wash your hands a lot and don't touch your face if you've just touched something used by the general public. But don't forget the basic basics :
* Avoid simple and refined sugars - YES, SAN FRANCISCO, THAT INCLUDES ALCOHOL. Sugar is a great immune suppressor, so eat/drink it at your own peril if you are concerned about whatever virus is floating around at the moment.
* increase your antioxidant intake and your fresh vegetables - especially the dark leafy greens. (No, salad doesn't really count.)
* get enough sleep -- usually around 8 hours/night. If you need an alarm clock to wake up, you're probably not getting enough sleep!
* immune boosting nutritional support (such as Congaplex, Immuplex, etc.) and homeopathic support may help.
But most of all, don't panic. Fear and anxiety are also great immune suppressors. What's the WORST thing that can happen? To pretty much anyone reading this, it's this : you will feel like crap for maybe a couple of weeks and have to stay home from work or school. And then you'll get better. Use your brain and don't buy in to the panic.