How to Cope With Flu Season (Part 2)

by Dr. Samar Shehaiber

Many clinics offer the flu vaccine.  Vaccines can only be given to:

1. Children 6-59 months;
2. Women who will be pregnant during flu season;
3. Individuals ≥50 years;
4. Children and adolescents (from 6 months to 18 years) on long-term aspirin therapy and may be at risk of developing Reye's syndrome;
5. Adults and children with chronic pulmonary or cardiovascular disorders, including asthma (hypertension is not considered high-risk);
6. Adults and children requiring hospitalization or routine follow-up for chronic metabolic diseases (including diabetes), renal dysfunction, hemoglobinopathies, or immunodeficiency caused by medications or by HIV;
7. Adults and children with any condition that can compromise respiratory function or handling of respiratory secretions or increases risk for aspiration) cognitive dysfunction, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, or other neuromuscular disorders;
8. Nursing home residents or other chronic care facility residents;
9. Individuals who live with or care for high-risk individuals, including healthy household contacts and caregivers for children age 0-59 months; and
10. Healthcare workers.

The flu shot “Fluzone or Fluarix” is an inactivated vaccine containing a killed virus that is given in a needle usually in the arm.  There are also nasal spray flu vaccines “Flu Mist” that cause antibodies to develop in the body.  These antibodies provide protection against infection with the viruses that are in the vaccine.  Note that not all strains of the virus may be in the vaccine; therefore people may still end up with the flu if they got a different strain. 

Vaccinations should be avoided in people with allergies to eggs, have a history of Guillian Barre Syndrome within six weeks of influenza vaccination, pregnant and or nursing. 

Many Muslims won't seek early medical attention, contrary to the Prophet's practice and teaching.  Usamah Bin Shareek (Ra) Reports "I was with the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) and some Arabs came to him asking "O Messenger of Allah, do we take medicine for any disease.-"-He said, "Yes, 0 You servants of Allah take medicine as Allah (SWT) has not created a disease without creating a cure except for one. They asked which one, he replied old age.'   

Increase your knowledge of health and disease, of medications and side effects. This knowledge is not a monopoly for doctors. You can have it, and use it in preventing the illness, recognizing it early when symptoms appear, seeking early medical attention, then monitoring the course of disease, implementing the treatment and recognizing side effects of the medicine. The Prophet laid great stress on how to prevent your body from the different diseases by taking or doing some simple preventive things.

For instance, the Prophet once said, “When one of you yawns, he should try to restrain it with the help of his hand since it is the devil that enters therein.” 
Yawning is a common physiological event. However, when a person yawns, he deeply inspires breathing in the germs in the air. So, the prophet stressed on the hand to be placed over the mouth when the person yawns. 

Sleeping on the right side is the best position to get perfect sleeping. Such a thing was practiced by the Prophet around 14 centuries ago when he used to sleep on his right side, putting his right hand under his right cheek, and he encouraged his companions to do the same.  Thus, sleeping on the right side is the correct position as the left lung is smaller than the right one and the pressure on the heart would therefore be less, the liver would not be suspended, and the stomach would be on it and so emptying its contents would be quicker. Moreover sleeping on the right side is one of the best medical interventions to facilitate the excretion of the mucous secretions of the left respiratory bronchioles.  The prophet used to also eat barley in a soup form to lower fevers. Practice what the good prophet has taught us, and seek health.