So far, 14,000 people have died and 250,000 people have been hospitalized during the 2019-2020 flu season, according to preliminary estimates from the CDC, which estimates that influenza was associated with more than 35.5 million illnesses, more than 16.5 million medical visits, 490,600 hospitalizations, and 34,200 deaths during the 2018–2019 influenza season.

Corona virus worldwide: 104,025
Deaths: 3,524
Recovered: 58,527
China: 80,652; 3070 deaths, 55,521 recovered

Symptoms include:

• Fever: 98%
• Dry cough: 76%
• Shortness of breath
• Myalgia: 44%

About 80% of cases are mild and last only about 2 weeks. Severe or critical cases last 3-6 weeks.

However:

• You may have little to no symptoms.
• You may not know you have symptoms of COVID-19 because they are similar to a cold or flu.
• Symptoms may take up to 14 days to appear after exposure to the virus. This is the longest known infectious period for this virus.

Influenza has always been of more concern among the elderly and there is always a threat of influenza progressing to pneumonia. It is the same with Covid-19.

Preferred Western medical treatment is probably Tamiflu, which works to suppress virus reproduction in at least some cases. If breathing is inhibited, treatment involves ventilation with oxygen.

The following suggestions are NOT listed as treatment or cure for illness caused by coronavirus. However, they are common sense actions you can take to help your immune system stay as strong as possible.

Dietary and Herbal Support for the Immune System

Foods and Drinks to avoid:

• caffeinated drinks and alcohol
• greasy foods
• hard to digest grains
• cold milk, ice cream
• sugary food or drinks
• Vitamin C-rich fruit juices are nutritionally dense and can inflame your immune system

Foods to eat:
Easy to digest foods

• Chicken or beef broth
• Garlic
• onion soup
• Cooked leafy greens
• yogurt without sugar
• Whole fruits, baked apples, apple sauce, whole orange, lemon juice, berries
• Oatmeal
• White rice cream
• Split mung beans

Spices to use:

• Turmeric*
• Coriander
• Cumin
• Oregano
• Red pepper or black pepper

Follow an anti-inflammatory diet. Keep hydrated, ideally with warm or room temperature water.

Herbal Suggestions:

• Elderberry juice or syrup for prevention and treatment
• Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) tea (very bitter)
• Boneset tincture, 10 to 20 drops every two hours with 30 drops of Echinacea angustifolia tincture
• If in the early stage of cold or flu, you can drink 1 or 2 cups of a strong mint and elder flower tea with boneset tincture, and then retire to bed with plenty of covers to break a sweat. This has been an effective treatment for early symptoms of influenza and colds.
• Specific tea for coughs: 1 tsp of thyme steeped in a cup of water. Add honey to taste.
• Fresh ginger and honey tea*: steep slices in hot water, drink warm.