The government, for the first time, is urging doctors not to prescribe two antiviral drugs commonly used to fight influenza after discovering that the predominant strain of the virus has built up high levels of resistance to them at alarming speed.

Ninety-one percent of virus samples tested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this flu season proved resistant to rimantadine and amantadine, a huge increase since last year, when eleven percent were resistant. It is well-known fact that viruses become resistant to pharmaceuticals, it is merely a matter of time.

The cold and flu season typically begins in November or December and may last until April or May. Every year, millions of people in the United States get a cold or the flu. According to the CDC, five to twenty percent of Americans will come down with the flu this season, and more than 200,000 people will be hospitalized from flu complications (1).

The most effective way to prevent contracting a cold or flu is natural supplements specifically formulated for this purpose, such as botanically-based nutrients like echinacea, astragulus, elderberry, vitamin C, zinc, spirulina, golden seal, grape seed extract and bromelain, that help boost immunity and increase resistance against viruses and bacterial infections. Some supplement manufacturers make an all-in-one product. Such as: Echinacea, Golden Seal and Grape Seed Extract to prevent contracting a cold or flu. Learn more about these products here: http://www.progressivehealth.com/catalog/Seasonal_Support.htm

The best defense against any virus or bacteria is to keep your immune system strong. Numerous studies have shown that the natural nutrients in Seasonal Support stimulate the immune system, fight viruses and bacteria, and reduce the severity and duration of cold and flu symptoms (3-14).

Prescriptions and Over the counter (OTC) cold and flu remedies simply mask symptoms and does not support the body's natural immune system to do the job it was designed to do.

Prescriptions and OTC drugs produce side effects too numerous to include in this article. You can learn the side effects by doing a keyword search on the internet of the product you are considering. Research substantiates that Seasonal Support for the body's immune system is a safe, effective method that works with your body naturally to provide cold and flu prevention and relief.

If you want to protect yourself during the Flu season, Seasonal Support is the most effective: http://www.progressivehealth.com/catalog/Seasonal_Support.htm

REFERENCES: 1. Centers for Disease Control: Key Facts About Influenza and the Influenza Vaccine, September 7, 2005, online: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm

2. Centers for Disease Control: Flu Q & A, online: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/0506supply.htm

3. Hemila H. Does vitamin C alleviate the symptoms of the common cold? - A review of current evidence. Scan J Infec Dis. 1994; 26:1-6.

4. Van Straten M, Josling P. Preventing the common cold with a vitamin C supplement: a double-blind, placebo-controlled survey. Adv Ther. May 2002;19(3):151-9.

5. Garland ML, et al. The role of zinc lozenges in the treatment of the common cold. Ann Pharmacother. 1998;32:63-69.

6. Vomel VT. The effect of a non-specific immunostimulant on the phagocytosis of erythrocytes and ink by the reticulohistiocyte system in the isolated, perfused liver of rats of various ages. Arzneim Forsch/Drug Res. 1984;34:691-95.

7. See DM, et al. In vitro effects of echinacea and ginseng on natural killer and antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity in healthy subjects and chronic fatigue syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients. Immunopharmacology. 1997;35(3):229-35.

8. Desser L, Rehberger A, Paukovits W. Proteolytic enzymes and amylase induce cytokine production in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro. Cancer Biother. 1994;9:253-263.

9. Desser L, et al. Cytokine synthesis in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells after oral administration of polyenzyme preparations. Oncology. Nov1993;50(6):403-7.

10. Engwerda CR, Andrew D, Ladhams A, Mynott TL. Bromelain modulates T cell and B cell immune responses in vitro and in vivo. Cell Immunol. May2001;210(1):66-75.

11. Engwerda CR, Andrew D, Murphy M, Mynott TL. Bromelain activates murine macrophages and natural killer cells in vitro. Cell Immunol. May2001;210(1):5-10.

12. Brakebusch M, Wintergerst U, Petropoulou T, Notheis G, Husfeld L, Belohradsky BH, et al. Bromelain is an Accelerator of Phagocytosis, Respiratory Burst and Killing of Candida albicans by Human Granulocytes and Monocytes. Eur J Med Res. May2001;6(5):193-200.

13. Chihara G. Recent progress in immunopharmacology and therapeutic effects of polysaccharides. Dev Biol Stand. 1992; 77:191-7.

14. Amin AH, et al. Berberine Sulfate: Antimicrobial Activity, Bioassay, and Mode of Action. Can J Micro. 1969;15:1067-76.