Flu

Influenza or "flu is an infection of the respiratory tract (breathing passages) caused by a virus. Its symptoms are usually more severe than the common cold and are more likely to affect your whole body. While most cases run their course in one to two weeks, life-threatening complications such as pneumonia are possible, especially in the elderly or people with chronic illnesses.

Signs and Symptoms

• Fever that comes on suddenly (101 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit)
• Chills
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Fatigue
• Nonproductive cough
• Sore throat
• Sneezing runny nose stuffy nose
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea vomiting or diarrhea especially in children

What Causes It?

Influenza is caused by viruses that are spread through the air by sneezes and coughs. Some cause very mild illness or none at all. Others can suddenly change their form to bypass our bodies' defenses. People most likely to get influenza are those whose immune systems are not working properly or those whose lifestyle or work often brings them into contact with sick people.

Since there are many types of influenza virus and because they change over time a new vaccine is offered every fall. Getting vaccinated reduces your chances of getting the flu and reduces its severity if you do get it.

What to Expect at Your Provider's Office

Your health care provider will probably be able to diagnose your case of flu from a physical examination and a description of your symptoms. He or she may take a throat swab to identify a particular viral strain or a chest X ray if there is concern about complications such as pneumonia.

Treatment Options

Treatment Plan

To treat flu health care providers usually suggest rest plenty of fluids and over-the-counter medications for symptoms. Antiviral drugs for influenza A are available. They only work if you begin taking them within 48 hours of getting the flu.

Drug Therapies

Prescription

• Antiviral drugs amantadine or rimantadine—for influenza A; take within 48 hours of onset
• Antibiotics—not effective against the viruses that cause influenza but are used to treat bacterial pneumonia a common complication of influenza

Over the Counter

• Acetaminophen ibuprofen cough suppressants decongestants—for various symptom relief; do not give aspirin to children under 18 years because of the risk of a life-threatening disease called Reye's syndrome.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies

A combination of herbs and nutrition may be quite effective at relieving symptoms and speeding healing. The basis of treatment is rest and fluids.

Nutrition

• Vitamin C (1 000 mg three to four times per day) vitamin A (25 000 IU per day) or beta-carotene (200 000 IU per day) and zinc (25 to 90 mg per day) are nutrients that optimize immune system functioning. Women who are or may become pregnant in the next three months should not take high doses of vitamin A. No one should use high doses of vitamin A and zinc for longer than two to six weeks.
• Decrease sugar consumption. Sugar decreases immune system activity.

Herbs

Herbs may be used as dried extracts (capsules powders teas) glycerites (glycerine extracts) or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated teas should be made with 1 tsp. herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 to 10 minutes for leaf or flowers and 10 to 20 minutes for roots. Drink 2 to 4 cups per day.

• Coneflower (Echinacea angustifolia)—helps immune system
• Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)—immune modulating anti microbial bitter astringent
• Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)—antiviral anticolic soothing
• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)—antibacterial astringent
• Elder (Sambucus canadensis)—reduces swelling and irritation
• St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum)—antiviral pain reliever

Mix a combination of coneflower and goldenseal with two to four of the other herbs listed. Drink 3 to 6 cups tea per day or take 30 to 60 drops tincture three to six times per day.

Garlic and ginger tea (2 to 3 cloves of garlic and 2 to 3 slices of fresh ginger) keeps the lungs clear and acts as an antimicrobial. May be used in addition to above herbs.

Homeopathy

Some of the most common remedies used for flu are listed below. Usually the dose is 12X to 30C every one to four hours until your symptoms get better.

• Combination remedy of Aconite Gelsemium Eucalyptus Ipecacuanha Phosphorus Bryonia and Eupatorium perfoliatum (trade name Oscillococcinum) can be very effective.
• Gelsemium for influenza that leaves the patient weak and forgetful
• Eupatorium perfoliatum for influenza with deep achiness especially with sneezing and coughing
• Nux vomica for influenza with violent vomiting and irritability

Acupuncture

May help you generally feel better and speed healing.

Following Up

In most cases your flu symptoms will ease in one to five days but they can last as long as two weeks. If you don't start to feel better within a few days or if you begin having difficulty breathing contact your health care provider.

Special Considerations

Studies suggest that pregnancy may increase the risk of serious influenza complications due to stresses on the body and changes in the immune system. Therefore the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended vaccination for women who will be in the second or third trimester of pregnancy during the flu season.

Supporting Research

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Savtsova ZD Zalesskii VN Orlovskii AA. The immunocorrective effect of laser reflexotherapy in experimental influenza infection [in Russian]. Zh Mikrobiol Epidemiol Immunobiol. January 1990:75–80.

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Copyright © 2000 Integrative Medicine Communications

The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application use or misuse of any of the information contained herein including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability negligence or otherwise. No warranty expressed or implied is made in regard to the contents of this material. No claims or endorsements are made for any drugs or compounds currently marketed or in investigative use. This material is not intended as a guide to self-medication. The reader is advised to discuss the information provided here with a doctor pharmacist nurse or other authorized healthcare practitioner and to check product information (including package inserts) regarding dosage precautions warnings interactions and contraindications before administering any drug herb or supplement discussed herein.