Swine Flu Medicine Sold Out; Alternatives Recommended
“It definitely has concerned me. I just make sure I have good personal hygiene andwash my hands all the time,” says Desert resident Terri Mindell about the swine flu. She’s taking extra care of herself.
The swine flu scare has continued to spread, prompting many people here in the Valley to take precautions.
“They’re inquiring about proper sanitation– inquiring about masks, face masks,” says Steve Pomerance with Town Center Compounding Pharmacy. “If they should use them and possibly the medication involved, they could help in relieving the swine flu.”
Pharmacies, even online ones, are seeing a huge surge in demand for drugs like Tamiflu and Relenza. They treat the symptoms of flu and reduce the severity and length of the illness.
“We sold out, but we expect more in. It’s in short supply as, but we hope to have some more soon,” says Pomerance.
So, what can you do if you have to wait for the next shipment? Laura Laffranchini with Harvest Health Foods in Palm Desert says to boost your immune system.
“[You can take] supplementing things like oregano oil, grapefruit seed extract, garlic, olive leaf extract,” says Laffranchini. “Those things, even a probiotic, [which is a] good bacteria to fight off bad bacteria,are all good ideas. Estro-C is a no-brainer.
“A lot of people have been calling and asking. People have been coming in to stock up on little things to carry with them– getting supplements such as anti-bacterials and there are a lot of phone calls, yes.”
Preventative measures are the best course of action for now, because it’s too early to know how big this outbreak of swine flu will become. Chances are, this story isn’t over.
