The Flu
THE FLU - MASTER THREAD
Let’s take a deep breath about the flu.
A flu is a flu is a flu. The fear mongering around it has gotten completely out of hand, especially when it comes to kids. Illness is not a moral failure, it is not a parenting failure, and it is not something to panic over every single time it shows up in your house.
Getting sick is part of being human. It is how the immune system learns, adapts, and builds resilience. Our kids are not meant to live in sterile bubbles. Their bodies are designed to respond, recover, and come out stronger on the other side.
The most important thing you can do when your child is sick is treat the child, not the fear. Support their body, manage symptoms, rest, hydrate, and let the immune system do what it knows how to do.
What we recommend:
Boiron Oscillococcinum
This is something we personally keep on hand and use when flu like illness hits.
Vitamin C
We use high dose vitamin C during illness to support the immune response. It helps the body fight and recover and is one of the simplest tools to add in when symptoms start.
Honey for sore throats
For kids over one year old, honey has been one of the most effective ways to soothe sore throats and coughs. Simple and gentle.
Minerals
Minerals and trace minerals help the body actually absorb fluids, especially when kids are not eating well or are losing fluids through fever.
Breastfeeding
For babies, continued breastfeeding is one of the most powerful immune supports there is. Breast milk provides antibodies, hydration, comfort, and regulation all at once.
What we do not recommend is Tamiflu. It has a long and well documented list of side effects, including psychological and neurological ones even in children. By the manufacturer’s own admission, it does not significantly reduce the duration of the illness. For us, the risk simply does not outweigh the benefit.
Another piece that does not get talked about enough is fear itself. Living in a constant state of stress and anxiety actually suppresses immune function. When we are calm, supported, and regulated, our bodies respond better. That goes for adults and kids.
And as always, immunity starts in the gut. Prioritizing real food, nourishing meals, hydration, and good daily choices matters far more long term than chasing quick fixes when sickness shows up.
This is not about ignoring symptoms or avoiding medical care when it is truly needed. It is about remembering that illness is a normal part of life, that our bodies are incredibly intelligent, and that fear is not medicine.