Remain Productive During Flu Season with Medicine that Doesn’t Mask Symptoms with Drowsiness

Newtown Square, Pa. – Remaining productive is so important to most people that the buzzword “presenteeism” has been coined to describe the trend of employees coming to work while not able to function at a normal level. Not being able to do what’s important is, no doubt, one of the most inconvenient aspects of coming down with flu. Required bed rest, as well as the drowsy side effect of medications, hampers people’s ability to work, travel or run a household.

Many employees choose presenteeism over absenteeism due to guilt over calling out, lack of sick days, or fear of angering the boss or losing their job. Ironically, most people go to work while under the weather simply to get a job done, yet they are unable to focus after taking medications that induce drowsiness to mask symptoms.

While workers may feel a sense of pride from making it into work while sick with flu, their actions may extend their illness, infect co-workers and family members, and contribute to significant productivity losses for the U.S. economy.

The key to getting back on your feet fast is to start treating flu-like symptoms right away, says James B. LaValle, a pharmacist and author of Smart Medicine for Healthier Living. Therefore, preparation is crucial because one never knows when or where they’ll come in contact with flu viruses.

Adults can infect others with flu up to one day before symptoms appear and up to seven days after getting sick. LaValle recommends stocking Oscillococcinum®, also known as Oscillo®, as a safe first choice for self-treatment.

“Not only can it get you back on track sooner when taken at the first sign of symptoms, but because it works naturally with the body instead of masking symptoms by inducing drowsiness, there are no side effects like that feeling like you’re in a fog. You can still focus on what you need to do,” he says. “The key is to watch for symptoms and be prepared to act quickly by having Oscillo on hand.”

There’s no reason to hesitate taking Oscillo at the first sign of symptoms, according to LaValle, who was formerly named one of American Druggist’s 50 Most Influential Druggists. “It doesn’t interact with other medicines or supplements that may prevent a person from taking traditional OTC drugs that contain antihistamines and decongestants,” says LaValle. “It’s safe for everyone from age 2 to 102, and it’s readily available everywhere without a prescription.”

Oscillo shortens both the duration and the severity of flu-like symptoms—a claim unique among over-the-counter flu medicines and backed by clinical studies. In one study, nearly 63 percent of patients showed “complete resolution” or “clear improvement” within 48 hours when Oscillo was taken at the onset of symptoms.¹

While such products help increase individuals’ productivity, what can be done to combat the overall problem of germs in the workplace? Besides encouraging employees to stay home, there are proactive ways to keep offices infection-free and functioning.

For instance, employers might consider investing in technology solutions that allow staff to telecommute when they’re sick. And to reduce the spread of germs, employers should see to it that shared office equipment, such as fax machines and photocopiers, are wiped down every day. Employees, too, can do their part by disinfecting their phone receivers, keyboards and other work areas, washing hands often, and covering their nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing.

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About Boiron: Boiron, world leader in homeopathic medicines, is a $730 million public company with 4,000 employees in more than 80 countries. It is best known for its top-selling flu medicine, Oscillococcinum^®, its Chestal® cough syrup, and its Arnicare^® line of pain relievers. For nearly 80 years, Boiron has been committed to funding scientific research and educating the public and healthcare professionals on homeopathic medicines. As a pharmaceutical company, Boiron maintains the highest standards in manufacturing, complying with U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations, the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States and drug Good Manufacturing Practices.