[zahal724]

So is there or is there not a flu problem?

[Fierce Allegiance]

So I can go Jet Skiing and say it's for health reasons? COOL! I want a prescription for a new one. Hell, if people can get a prescription for a hot tub, why not?

[Semper Paratus]

Simply inhaling a saltwater spray could help prevent the spread of diseases including flu and tuberculosis

But that would be bad for your blood pressure.

[blackdog]

The article says saline spray reduces the spread of germs by 70%. That's cool but what does that have to do with viruses? Since a virus is about 1/100th the size of a germ or bacterium, I suppose the reporter might want to ask a follow up question?

Saline Spray..............The next new product for government run Hillary-Care. It will be stocked right next to hot stones and gin soaked rasins. If the Germans can sell salt water for $5 per 10ml, more power to em. It will not hurt anyone and in medicine American style, that's the battle to win.

[neverdem]

FReepmail me if you want on or off my health and science ping list.

[RazzPutin]

I use a saline spray that has xylitol (an anti-biofilm sugar) added... works great.

[Renegade]

Kool, I work three blocks from the Atlantic Ocean . I should stick my head out the window and breath deeply to prevent the flu? On the other hand ( knocking on wood ) I have not had the flu since moving to the South Jersey shore 33 years ago !

[newzjunkey]

Well if the little buggers are too moist to escape in a (prevented) sneeze or just breathing that would account for the drop in spread.

I was in WalMart yesterday and between the abandoned carts and the sickly folk, I almost thought I was in a TB ward!

[bjs1779]

With a little ozone in the house and a particular brand of silver water I use when I feel something coming on, I never get anything that lasts 24 hours. 7 years and counting.

[bigcheese]

Wowzer! I was just telling my girlfriend the other day that I was going to get a vaporizer, some salt water for it and run it at night when I was sleeping because I've caught so many bad colds(?) the last year or two....

I had not heard of any studies like this, I just was going on that I grew up in S. Texas and was on one boat or another practically every day of my life, and rarely had any sickness then.

I also have a gut feeling that the more salinity in the water, the better the protection. In Texas, I was usually found somewhere on the back bays all the time ...very salty water and air. Here in Florida (E. Coast), I lived on the beach for awhile and I can tell you the Atlantic water and air is not nearly as salty. Seems like I have had more sickness out here. Course, the beach out here also has alot more beer and girls, so that could have something to do with it ;-)

[Old Lady]

Suggestions to avoid flu and colds:

If you have to go to a doctor's office, don't touch the magazines (since people with the creeping bots thumb through them all day). Don't touch your hands to your eyes or your mouth. Wash your hands frequently. When you come home, change your clothes and take a shower.

[bd476]

This is great news about stopping the spread of illness, but it does nothing to help me with this two week long aaCHOOO! problem I have now. :(

[Mr. Jeeves]

This stuff seems to work pretty well for me. It's made with Xylitol instead of saline solution and you can find it in health food stores: Xlear Nasal Wash.

Number one cold/flu resistance technique for me? Drink as little tap water as possible. I'm convinced the cholrination/flouridation weakens your immune system and makes you more vulnerable to virus attacks. Do all the hand washing and hand sanitizing stuff, too, but drink distilled water during the winter and you'll be sick less often, and get milder symptoms when you do get sick.