The government, for the first time, is urging doctors not to prescribe two antiviral drugs commonly used to fight influenza after discovering that the predominant strain of the virus has built up high levels of resistance to them at alarming speed.

Ninety-one percent of virus samples tested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this flu season proved resistant to rimantadine and amantadine, a huge increase since last year, when eleven percent were resistant. It is well-known fact that viruses become resistant to pharmaceuticals, it is merely a matter of time.

The cold and flu season typically begins in November or December and may last until April or May. Every year, millions of people in the United States get a cold or the flu. According to the CDC, five to twenty percent of Americans will come down with the flu this season, and more than 200,000 people will be hospitalized from flu complications (1).

The most effective way to prevent contracting a cold or flu is natural supplements specifically formulated for this purpose, such as botanically-based nutrients like echinacea, astragulus, elderberry, vitamin C, zinc, spirulina, golden seal, grape seed extract and bromelain, that help boost immunity and increase resistance against viruses and bacterial infections. Some supplement manufacturers make an all-in-one product. Such as: Echinacea, Golden Seal and Grape Seed Extract to prevent contracting a cold or flu. Learn more about these products here: http://www.progressivehealth.com/catalog/Seasonal_Support.htm

The best defense against any virus or bacteria is to keep your immune system strong. Numerous studies have shown that the natural nutrients in Seasonal Support stimulate the immune system, fight viruses and bacteria, and reduce the severity and duration of cold and flu symptoms (3-14).

Prescriptions and Over the counter (OTC) cold and flu remedies simply mask symptoms and does not support the body