UPDATE: It's been almost two weeks. I avoided the worst case scenarios. Didn't get a fever or infections; however, this bug is hanging on. I am going to do the ear/peroxide treatment again today. I have enjoyed lots of crushed, chopped garlic in homemade soups everday, very soothing, but don't do this if you have chronic low blood pressure. Garlic lowers blood pressure. I am also lucky to be able to rest, being retired. The following remedies have worked for me but please read the disclaimers.
You can use these remedies as a preventative as well.
See comments below for other things people use to ward off worst flu symptoms.
Thank you all for your suggestions and insights. I have added Vit D, Sambuca Elderberry, Devils Tea, and hot Epson Salt Bath to the Stop The Flu Fight. So far so good but not cured quite yet. So, off for another day of rest and remedies.
I'm fighting the sore ears & throat gumbah that threatens to become bronchial. I think I am winning. My methodology is controversial*; however, it has worked for me for years.
Like many here, I am stuck in the "insurance costs are too high, unemployed" and "not quite old enough for Medicare" sandwich.
Has anyone had this flu strain that starts with the sore ears/throat? Is it just a virus or did you require antibiotics? Just curious.
Fortunately, I am quite healthy. I come from an old, earthy New England family of farmers & fisherman that passed down a heritage of natural remedies, some of which were pure superstition admittedly.
That said, I have often fought off the flu and am doing so today in the following manner.
1. PEROXIDE. I use the super market hydrogen peroxide in my ears once a month when the flu season arrives. If/When that "ouch, my ear canals feel sore" begins, I use a dropper bottle and deposit about three squeezes worth of HP into each ear while lying on my side. I let it perculate for at least 5 minutes. I do this in the AM and PM. I also gargle with the peroxide 3x a day for sore throat. Do your research and decide whether you want to dilute the peroxide or not. I don't dillute it. NEVER SWALLOW HYDROGEN PEROXIDE.
2. BAKING SODA: I eat mostly veggies, which are alkaline, and my homemade medicine broth. After eating, I dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of Baking Soda into 4 oz of water and drink to alkanilize the body. There is a rumor that disease can't live in an alkaline system. I only do this when feeling a bug coming on and sometimes after eating what I call a "break out meal" ie restaurant food.
3. GARLIC: For those of you not wanting to use Peroxide, garlic oil is also know to help kill off outer ear canal infections. Add a couple of cloves of crushed garlic cloves to 4 oz of olive oil and keep on hand to ward off ear infections. The oil coating is very soothing as well.
GARLIC BROTH: I make homemade chicken broth (I use a pressure cooker). I add 3-5 cloves of raw, fresh garlic either finely minced or pressed w/garlic press into the broth (you can use the jarred, minced garlic as well). Also, you can use packaged broth if you need to. Some Chinese restaurants have good chicken broth, too. I also add ginger either powdered or minced fresh. I drink this three times a day. You know your body needs this when it tastes absolutely divine. Today I added a 1/2 teaspoon of curry powder and a heaping tablespoon of ground dulce (iodine). If you have chronic low blood pressure, BEWARE, garlic can lower blood pressure.
4. REST: The best, but sadly not a possibility for too many US workers anymore. I can't count how many cashiers complained of not feeling well while I was running around getting ready for Christmas and New Years. So much for paid sick leave in America I guess. This trend of working while sick won't fly well if we ever do have a pandemic, btw.
If I am not better by Friday, I will have a strep test. If positive, I will request a ZPac, which works like a charm for me w/no side affects. My Doc is very cooperative. I haven't seen him in two years when I thought my foot was broken!
Quackery or whatever, this system has worked for me for years. I used it for my family, too. Now the kids are using this for their kids.
What are your remedies?
Well, that's it from Granny WOE. OMGosh, I'll be 65 this year. Very weird feeling.
Off to rest.
*DISCLAIMER: I am not a medical professional. Do your own research. Check with your intuition and/or your doctor, especially if you have low blood pressure or some other chronic condition.