Healthy Habits: Flu Interview with Dr. Gustavo Ferrer

With flu associated deaths this season being the 3rd highest in the last decade to include children with the highest rates of flu, I had a chance to interview Dr. Gustavo Ferrer.

What factors contribute to the severity of flu season? What populations are especially vulnerable?
1. Environmental: The transmission was highly efficient at 5°C but was blocked or inefficient at 30°C. Dry conditions (20% and 35% RH) were also found to be more favorable for spread than either intermediate (50% RH) or humid (80% RH) conditions.
2. Virus. Increased virulence
3. Human host.
a) Young children under 2 years of age
b) Adults > 65
c) Pregnant women
d) People with weakened immune systems
e) Chronic illnesses, such as asthma, heart failure, kidney failure, liver disease and diabetes
f) Obese patient

How can people protect themselves from the flu?
Research evidence shows. 1. Flu vaccine 2. Hand watching 3. Vitamin C 4. Saline with Xylitol for early symptoms (Xlear) 5. Chicken soup

Background on Dr. Ferrer

Gustavo Ferrer, MD FCCP, is an experienced pulmonologist trained both in Cuba and the US, founder of the Cleveland Clinic Florida Cough Clinic, Interstitial Lung Disease and president of Intensive Care Experts. An authority on respiratory ailments with more than 20 years of experience. His new book, Graceful Exit: How to Advocate Effectively, Take Care of Yourself, and Be Present for the Death of a Loved One, available now for preorder. He also wrote, Cough Cures: The Best Natural Remedies and Over-the-Counter Drugs for Acute and Chronic Cough (Moxie Life Press, April 2016) challenges our Western mindset that over medicates. Dr. Ferrer offers a blend of Western and natural remedies to effectively address both acute and chronic respiratory issues. He has also translated Cough Cures into Spanish for Latin America titled Cura Tu Tos con los Remedios de Abuelita: Una Guía Completa de los Mejores Remedios Naturales y Medicinas Sin Receta Médica Para la Tos Aguda y Crónica (Moxie Life Press, October 2016).

In 1999, he left Cuba to work with the United Nations University to work as director of respiratory research in the Venezuela’s Orinoco River region. He emigrated to the United States the following year, where he completed his residency at Texas Tech University and received a fellowship in Pulmonary and Critical Care at George Washington University. He joined the Cleveland Clinic Florida and led efforts to open centers of excellence for lung fibrosis and chronic cough.

He continues to be actively involved in medical research for the advancement of medicine and patient care. He is the Program Director of the Aventura Hospital Pulmonary and Critical Care and Pulmonary Disease. He has received several prestigious awards, including: being listed among the Best Doctors in the US by U.S. News & World Report, Most Compassionate Doctor, Patients’ Choice Award, and multiple teaching awards.