Pills: Yes or No?

This past weekend I performed in a Nutcracker, which took place in an igloo. Not a real igloo, unfortunately, but a theater that was absolutely freezing. During dress rehearsal, everyone complained of numb toes and I still can't believe how much strength it took for me to run through the dances without a coat. Needless to say, the second Nutcracker ended, I felt horribly sick, and have been in bed with the flu, maybe bronchitis, since. Not only that, but I also have a fractured rib and an impacted toenail from pointe that had to be surgically attended to (...totally gross, I know). Interesting though how my body held on until, getting me through the performance, and then shut down the second it was able to.

I have taken tylenol cold and flu, dayquil, nyquil, advil, etc. trying to see if I favor one over the rest. So far I vote for the tylenol cold and flu, both daytime and nighttime. But my ingestion of so many pills has led me to look further into herb and vitamin supplements that could potentially prevent the onset of such viruses, and some of the search results were more terrifying than hopeful. Many of the touted herbs and vitamins can be harmful if taken in conjunction with another medication or in too high quantities. Here is an article on herbs and vitamins that can hurt you from CNN, in case you've been in pursuit of the same thing.