Five Ways to Fight the Swine Flu

View the Swine Flu video here.

 

Winter in North America brings with it yearly uninvited guests- flu bugs- multiple strains of illness causing viruses just waiting for new bodies to infect.   The most common recommendation has been to protect yourself with a flu vaccine.  But with virtually all the US flu suddenly resistant to the leading antiviral Tamiflu, health officials are worried about where this could lead.  Here are some key guidelines you MUST know if you want to survive this year’s flu season.

 

How can you distinguish a cold from the flu? First understand that colds are minor infections of the nose and throat which usually develop slowly as a scratchy, sore throat, followed by sneezing and a runny nose.  The flu, however, affects the entire body and symptoms appear suddenly, quite often as headache, muscle aches and fever.  (See comparison chart)

 

Symptoms                Cold              Flu

fever                   rare                characteristic, high (102-104F);

                                              lasts 3-4 days

headache                rare               prominent

general aches,pains     slight              usual; often severe

fatigue,weakness        quite mild         can last up to 2-3 weeks

extreme exhaustion      never               early and prominent

stuffy nose             common              sometimes

sneezing                usual              sometimes

sore throat             common              sometimes

chest discomfort,       mild to moderate   common;can become severe cough

                        hacking cough

FDA Consumer Magazine (October 1996)

 

Get to your physician immediately if there is  trouble breathing, fast breathing or wheezing ; bluish skin color; earache or drainage from the ear; changes in mental state (such as not waking up, irritability or seizures) .

Colds are caused by viruses and there are over 200 of them.  This variety has made it difficult for scientists to develop an effective control.  Antibiotics are not useful and should only be taken to treat bacterial complications which can arise.  Influenza (commonly called “the flu”)   is an illness caused by a small set of viruses- the influenza viruses types A, B and C.  Type A is responsible for the most common, more virulent attacks.

 

So what are your options?

 

Conventional treatment options in combination with select botanicals used for thousands of years in traditional Eastern medicine may help in the treatment and prevention of the flu.    

 

• Maintain adequate humidity levels in your environment.  Winter air is arid, drying the lining of the nasal passages, making them more susceptible to infection.  Many humidifiers now have a special receptacle for inhalants.  Inhalants are essential oils suspended in a petroleum jelly or other matrix (such as Vicks Vaporub). Oils of Eucalyptus citriodora, Eucalyptus globulus, Mentha piperita, Origanum syriacum, Salvia fruticosa and Rosmarinus officinalis have direct activity on the respiratory tract, the coughing reflex and the airflow in the nasal tract.  When making your own remember that more doesn’t necessarily mean better.  Researchers found that 0.2% concentrations of essential oils result in stronger effects when compared with 2% concentrations.

 

• Over the counter medicines help relieve flu symptoms but do not fight the virus.  Analgesics such as Motrin (ibuprofen) and Tylenol (acetaminophen)  relieve pain.     Sinupret, a product used successfully in Europe for over 70 years, shows  effectiveness similar to other mucoactive agents without their side effects.  Sinupret is now available in the United States and can be used in children. Decongestants which work to reduce the swelling of blood vessels in the nasal cavity are not recommended for patients with heart disease, hypertension, thyroid disease, diabetes, or, in men with an enlarged prostate.  Their danger and questionable effectiveness is highlighted by the FDA’s recommended ban on children’s decongestants.  Nasal washes (SinuCleanse or Netipot) can also be used to flush out mucus that has built up in the nasal passages.

 

 

• Prescription drugs for the flu have been on the market since 1976 when the FDA approved Symmetrel (amantadine).  It later approved Flumadine (rimantadine) and more recently Relenza and Tamiflu. The complication is that they work only if administered within the first 48hrs after symptoms appear.  However, a number of botanicals demonstrate antiviral activity.  Standardized Olive Leaf extract and Black Elderberry extract (Sambucus/ Sambucol) demonstrate antiviral activity and offer excellent coverage when used in combination.   They are typically used every 4 hrs for 5 – 7 days.

 

• Acetylcysteine and carbocysteine, 2 naturally derived products,  are the most commonly prescribed mucolytics in many European countries.  Clinically effective dose is 1200 mg oral N-acetylcysteine per day. (Ghanei, M.)  Emerging evidence suggests high lactoferrin whey protein inhibits viral functioning but further studies are needed.

 

• Additionally, drink plenty of fluids- water is best.  Get your rest, keep taking your multivitamins and you’ll be well on your road to recovery.

 

 

 

 

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