It seems like this year’s flu isn’t done with us yet. After what has been a pandemic-level flu season, the US has seen some terrible cases of the flu. In Florida, a school district had to shut down it’s schools due to lack of attendance because of sick students. Alabama has declared a public health emergency over the flu, and in California, where flu deaths are on the rise, hospitals are being described as ‘war zones’ .

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The worst thing about it is that those who are the weakest are being hit the worst: seniors aged 65 and older are being hospitalized more than any other age group, and as of January 20th, 37 infants have died because of the flu. And as if it couldn’t get worse, it seems there is a new flu symptom that could mean you’re sick without even realizing it.

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The New Flu Symptom No One’s Expecting

For Brodi Willard, a mother and registered nurse, the flu is no laughing matter. In a recent Facebook post, she warned parents about this little known symptom of the flu. After her son came home with hives, she immediately noticed something wrong. In her post she writes:

Every time he would scratch, more would appear. We tried changing his clothes and giving him a bath, but nothing helped. I called his pediatrician. They said they had two kids come into the office that day with the same symptoms and tested POSITIVE FOR INFLUENZA. I took him to the doctor this morning and he tested POSITIVE for INFLUENZA B.

What made this even more troublesome was that this was the only sign that he was presenting. There was no cough, runny nose, or other common flu symptom. This little-known symptom is troubling because of the high number of pediatric deaths connected to the flu.

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Brodi ends her post emphasizing the importance of keeping a close eye out for hives as they could be an early warning sign of one of the severest flu in recent memory.

Other Flu Symptoms To Look For

The flu can infect everyone, but those who are most at risk are those over the age of 65 and young children as their immune system is not a strong as other generations. The flu is different from a cold because it comes on suddenly, and for most people it should pass within a few days to under two weeks. According to the CDC, these are the most common symptoms that you should look out for:

  • Fever or feeling feverish/chills
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue (tiredness)
  • Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

Prevent The Flu By Boosting Immunity

Our body has a natural defense against the flu known as our immune system. It protects our body from harmful bacteria or viruses that try and infect us, but not everyone’s immune system is up to snuff. When it comes to building and maintaining a healthy immune system, a healthy lifestyle is key.

How to Boost Your Immune System Naturally

Our immune system, and every other system in our body, works at its best when it is protected from environmental assaults and empowered by healthy-living strategies. Things like not smoking, making sure your diet is high in fruits and vegetables, regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight ensure your immune system is working in top form.

You should also avoid drinking alcohol, or a least drink in moderation. Ensuring you get enough sleep every night is important for a healthy immune system also. You can also take steps to avoid contracting infections by washing your hands frequently and by minimizing stress.

If this sounds a lot like you already and you’re looking for another added boost, here are some herbal supplements that have been shown to help our bodies deal with illness [5]:

While the flu can be dangerous there are things that we can do to protect ourselves. This flu season, remember to treat your body right and it will do right by you.

*Article originally appeared at Healthy Holistic Living.