Answer:
Green tea, made from unfermented tea leaves, has a bitter, astringent taste. In traditional medicine, it's known for its diuretic, cooling, thirst-quenching, expectorant, and body-cooling properties. Modern medicine recognizes its rich content of folic acid, B vitamins, potassium, iron, calcium, and flavonoids, which offer antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. It's also linked to weight loss, reduced cancer and osteoporosis risk, blood pressure control, and support in preventing cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes.
Scientific evidence regarding gargling with or drinking green tea to prevent flu remains inconclusive. While the flu virus spreads easily through the respiratory tract, green tea's catechins, though antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, don't necessarily stop the flu virus.
The most effective flu prevention is annual vaccination. Given your husband's exposure to dust, rain, and sun, which increases his susceptibility to the flu, vaccination is highly recommended.
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Green tea contains catechins, known for antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, but not for preventing the flu virus. Photo: Vecteezy |
Green tea contains catechins, known for antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, but not for preventing the flu virus. Photo: Vecteezy
Four flu vaccines are currently available in Vietnam. Those from France, the Netherlands, and South Korea are suitable for children from 6 months old and adults. The Vietnamese vaccine is for individuals aged 18 to 60. Anyone 9 years or older needs an initial dose, followed by an annual booster to maintain immunity and address circulating flu strains as per WHO recommendations.
Besides the flu, your husband's work environment also puts him at risk for other infectious diseases like pneumococcal disease, meningococcal disease, measles, chickenpox, and dengue fever. Vaccines are available for these diseases as well.
He should also take preventive measures like wearing a mask, regularly gargling and washing his hands, maintaining a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep to strengthen his immune system. If he experiences fever, sore throat, body aches, or coughing, he should seek medical attention promptly, avoiding self-medication or relying solely on home remedies, which could worsen his condition.
Doctor Nguyen Van Quang
Medical Manager, VNVC Vaccination System
Readers can submit vaccine-related questions for doctors to answer here.
