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| Preventing and Treating the Flu | | | | | |  | | Note: This information is not intended to replace a physician/patient contact. It is for general purposes only. Please be aware that these therapies have not been evaluated in large, multi-centered studies.
| | | One must always weigh the risks and benefits of each therapy on an individualized basis. Please contact your physician if you have further questions or concerns about the flu.
| | | Influenza is a virus that typically begins to appear in the Fall and then recedes as Spring progresses. The H1N1 “Swine” Flu is apparently a typical influenza virus, in that it has many of the same symptoms as a common cold, but often starts with a high spiking fever, shaking chills, headache, muscle ache, and pain when moving the eyes. What is unusual is the time of year that it started, and that it is a new strain so not much is known about it.
Emergency warning signs in children include: fast breathing or trouble breathing, bluish skin color, dehydration, not waking up or interacting, and being very irritable. Emergency warning signs in adults include: difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, sudden dizziness, confusion, and severe or persistent vomiting.
There is a possibility that the H1N1 flu will infect a larger percentage of our population than is usually seen, as is usually seen when a flu strain is not one of the three strains included in the annual vaccine. It is not believed that this past year’s flu vaccine will provide coverage against this strain of the flu. At this point there is no indication that this strain of the flu is more deadly than a typical flu virus. The CDC has established a detailed webpage about the H1N1 flu and it is being updated regularly: | | | | | | | The best way to prevent the spread of flu is through good hand washing, avoiding people who have flu-like symptoms, for people who have questionable or definite symptoms to avoid being out in public, and to have a healthy diet, avoiding sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and processed food, along with adequate intake of vitamins and minerals. At the end of this article are some recommendations for supplements that can be used as a preventive measure. Please note the addition of the Vitamin D information; this is a new recommendation that was not included in previous editions of my flu article.
There are 2 anti-viral medications that appear to be effective against the H1N1 flu. Tamiflu can be used in adults and children over 1 year old, and Relenza is available for people over 7 years old. The effectiveness for both of these significantly declines if started after the second day of symptoms. These medications are not necessary to recover from the H1N1 flu, and most of the initial cases in the USA were not treated with these medicines and they recovered. If a family of one of our patients suspects the flu and wants to start an anti-viral medication, they should contact our office as soon as possible. Click Here for the CDC recommendations for antiviral therapies. | | | | There are several supplements (SEE BELOW) that I have found to be helpful in minimizing the effects of the flu. These therapies are most effective when started IMMEDIATELY upon the first signs or symptoms, and with the exception of the Vitamin A, should be continued for several days after symptoms subside. We have made these remedies available at Wholistic Pediatrics, and I recommend getting these products now as part of a “flu-preparedness kit”. To have a full round of therapy, 2 bottles of Elderberry are needed for young children and 4 bottles are needed for older children and adults. 1 box of Oscillococcinum is needed per person regardless of age. The other supplements come in larger amounts and can be shared within the family. Women who are pregnant should be able to take the dose listed for young children, though safety data is not complete. | | | | Seasonal and H1N1 vaccines | | | | | There have been many questions coming into our office about the flu vaccine. This year, there will be a vaccine available for both the annual/seasonal flu as well as for the H1N1 “Swine” flu. There are standard recommendations for the Seasonal flu vaccine, set forth by the CDC, which can be found at www.cdc.gov/FLU/protect/keyfacts.htm | | | The CDC also recommends that children between 6 months old and 8 years old receive 2 doses of the vaccine, 1 month apart, if they have never received a flu shot before. At this point there is no reason to suspect that the 2009 version of the flu vaccine is any more or less safe than the one produced every year. It is yet unknown if this will be a year where the vaccine researchers “get it right” in terms of whether the strains they decided to put in the vaccine will be the ones that actually appear in our communities.
The seasonal flu vaccine is available at this time, in both the injected and nasal spray form. Some doses of the injected form contain full doses of thimerosal (mercury), while others do not. I would not assume that a vaccine is mercury-free, and the package insert should be viewed by the consumer prior to administration of the vaccine. The nasal spray form of the vaccine (FluMist) does not contain thimerosal. If given the choice between the injected or nasal spray forms of the vaccine, unless it was contraindicated, I personally would opt for the FluMist. Click here for more information on FluMist. | | | My justification for this is that the nasal spray exposes people to the virus in the same way that occurs in nature, so the immune response in the person, in terms of the white blood cell and antibody responses, follows the pattern that occurs naturally.
The later into the flu season, the more difficult it will be for us to get thimerosal free or nasal spray form of the flu vaccine. If anyone is interested in receiving either form of the vaccine, please contact our office as soon as possible. We will be placing orders based on the responses we receive.
The H1N1 flu vaccine (which is separate from the Seasonal Flu Vaccine) will not be available until October, and until the safety studies have been released (and it is determined what types of additives will be in the H1N1 vaccine), I am reserving comments on this vaccine. I will say that if there are not the added ingredients that can alter the immune system (mercury, aluminum or squalene) then I would expect the H1N1 vaccine would have the same safety profile as the seasonal flu. I will send out another update once the safety studies and additive lists have been published.
If anyone is going to receive either a seasonal or H1N1 flu vaccine, I would recommend giving the same supplements listed in the “Therapies for when coming down with Flu Symptoms” section of the flu article on our webpage as follows: For Vitamin A, give the stated doses twice a day, the day before, the day of, and the day after the vaccines (yes, for 3 days total, but no more). For the vitamin C, zinc, elderberry, and larix/echinacea, give the stated doses from 3 days before, the day of, and for 3 days after the vaccine. I would also have on hand the oscillococcinum, but this only needs to be used if there are flu-like symptoms seen after taking the vaccine. | | | | Therapies for when coming down with Flu Symptoms: | | | | | | | | 1) ELDERBERRY- An herb that appears to have direct anti-influenza viral activity. Children as young as 6 months of age can use this (although some people have used the product in younger children). There are many elderberry products on the market. In the office we carry the encapsulated liquid extract (Phyto-Caps) from Gaia/Professional Solutions. The dose for older children and adults is 2 capsules 4 times a day. For younger children and people who do not swallow pills, we carry Sambucus, (by Nature’s Way) which is an updated version of Sambucol. Younger children should take 1 teaspoon 4 times a day, and older children and adults should take 2 teaspoons 4 times a day. There is a newer concentrated liquid extract fro GAIA herbs called "Black Elderberry Syrup". This product contains organic sugar, but it is also about 4x more concentrated then the Nature's Way product, so 1/4 of the above dose would be given of this product.
2) OSCILLOCOCCINUM - A homeopathic remedy that has been shown to be effective in small studies. I have personally had success with this product, although some families are concerned about the lactose/casein content. If it really seemed like flu was going through my community, I would strongly consider using it. Each small vial contains little sugar pellets (containing lactose) that are most effective if allowed to dissolve under the tongue. Three doses a day for 2 days is the recommended amount. Small children can chew the pellets if necessary. For the youngest children, give a few at a time to make sure they can handle it. Another alternative is to dissolve the pellets in about ½ teaspoon of warm water, and then give this slowly, a few drops at a time so that it there is more contact with the oral lining. As with any homeopathic remedy, it is most effective when given away from food, herbs, or strong flavors like mint or cinnamon in toothpaste.
3) VITAMIN A - in a mycelized natural or palmitate form, (instead of one that is mostly Beta Carotene) Vitamin A seems to have strong anti-viral activity. High doses should never be used for more than 2 days in a row. The liver can be damaged if used for long periods of time at these doses. The dosing provided here is anecdotal, based upon my and other doctors’ experience. Studies have not been done to confirm them. The amount give per dose: for children under 6 months, 10,000 IU; children 6-12 months, 15,000 IU; children 12-24 months, 20,000 IU; children 2-4 years, 25,000-30,000 IU; children 5-7 years; 50,000 IU; children 7-10, 75,000 IU; children 11-14, 100,000 IU; and people 15 and older,150,000 IU. Pregnant women and lactating women of young infants, should not take more than 25,000IU per dose, These doses are to be used twice a day for 2 days only. These high doses may be problematic for people with clotting difficulty or liver disease. It is advisable to give/take a ½ dose when not sick to make sure it is tolerated. There are both liquid drops and capsules available. In our office we have a concentrated liquid that has 5,000IU per single drop (NOT DROPPER) as well as capsules that contain 25,000IU.
4) VITAMIN C - preferably as Ester C or Buffered C. Doses listed here are the total amount per day and should be divided in 3-4 doses. For children under 1 year of age give 100mg per month of age. For children up to age 5, 1000mg per year of age, and as much as possible for older children and adults, as long as the stool does not become loose. Our office has capsules that are 250 and 500mg, 250mg chewable tablets, and a powder that has 1100mg per 1/4 teaspoon.
5) ZINC - this mineral should be given divided into at least 2 doses spread through the day. For children under 2 -12 months old give 10-15mg a day, for children between 1 and 3 give 20-30 mg daily, for older children give 50 mg a day, and adults can take 75-100 mg a day. This should be divided into 2-3 doses throughout the day. We carry capsules of 20, 25 and 50mg, and a liquid that has 20mg per teaspoon.
6) LARIX - This is an herb derived from the bark of the Western Larch tree. The active ingredient, arabinogalactan, is the same as Echinacea, which is believed to increase production of white blood cells. Larix has been found to be much stronger than Echinacea when using similar amounts, and can be used by patients over 6 months of age. For adults and older children, the dose is 2 tablets 3 times a day, and younger children who can swallow pills should give 1 tablet 3 times a day. There is also a powder available. Adults and large children should use 1 tablespoon 3 times a day, and smaller children should use 1 teaspoon 3 times a day. For children less than 6 months of age, there are alcohol free extracts of Echinacea that can be used. For children under 3 months of age use 5 drops 4 times a day and for children 3-6 months use 10 drops 4 times a day. Echinacea should not be used as a daily preventative.
| | | | Daily supplements to strengthen the immune system against Flu | | | | | | | | These are doses of therapies that can be taken longer-term until the flu threat has been lessened:
1) Vitamin C: young children (under 5) can take 250mg twice a day and older children and adults can take 500mg twice a day
2) Zinc- younger children can take 5mg daily and older children and adults can take 10mg a day
3) Vitamin A- children 2-24 months can take 1250IU daily, children 2-5 years old can take 2500IU daily and people over 5 can take 5000IU daily
4) Larix – younger children can take ¼ teaspoon of the powder once a day, and older children and adults can take ½ teaspoon or 1 tablet once a day
5) Elderberry – Young children can take 1 teaspoon daily, and adults and older children can take 2 capsule daily.
6) Vitamin D3 – Vitamin D, while known for its use in calcium absorption, is also very important to help fight off infections. Quite possibly, part of the reason that the “flu season” occurs in the winter is because people do not spend as much time outdoors. If possible, people should get their 25-hydroxy vitamin D level checked and get the value above 50ng/ml. If not able to check a level, all adults can take 5000IU of Vitamin D3, children under 25 lbs can take 1000IU, children 25-50 lbs can take 2000IU, and children over 50 lbs can take 3000IU. We have capsules of 1000, 2000 and 5000IU as well as a concentrated liquid that has 1000IU per single drop. If a person is suspected to have a vitamin D deficiency, either revealed by testing or from lack of direct sun exposure (sunscreen blocks the formation of active vitamin D), I would consider taking 5 times the dose mentioned above for 1 week in order to build up the body’s levels and then drop down to the maintenance dose. For more information about vitamin D, go to www.vitamindcouncil.com | | | | 7) Selenium – this powerful antioxidant has been shown in animal studies to decrease lung damage in mice who contracted influenza virus. Children under 1 year old can safely take around 50mcg daily, children 1-4 years can take 100-125mcg, children over 4 years old and adults can take 200mcg. In our office we have capsules of 100mcg and a liquid that has 66mcg per single drop. | | |
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