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DESCRIPTION
Influenza, better known as "the flu," is a highly contagious viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. Because this illness can be spread easily by coughing and sneezing, influenza epidemics are very common, especially in winter. More than 200 different viruses can cause colds and flu, and strains of these viruses are constantly changing (mutating), so vaccinations against influenza have only been partly successful in preventing outbreaks of the disease. Influenza is not the same thing as "the common cold." When you have the flu, you will often miss more work or school than you would with other illnesses. You may remember the flu as one of the worst illnesses you have had.
CAUSES
The influenza virus causes the classic flu. Health care providers classify the virus as influenza type A and type B, each of which includes several offshoots called subtypes or strains. These strains are different from the original virus but retain some of its characteristics.
Type A is usually responsible for the annual outbreaks that typically occur in the late fall and early winter.
The influenza virus changes often, so having flu caused by one strain does not give you full immunity to other strains.
Widespread outbreaks of the flu usually follow significant changes (called antigenic shifts) in the virus. These epidemics occur about every 10 years. People who get the flu tend to become much sicker when a shift in the flu virus occurs. Minor changes in the virus (called antigenic drifts) occur nearly every year.
The virus is spread from person to person:
- Through small droplets that form when a person sneezes or coughs.
- By contact with objects such as handkerchiefs that have been in contact with fluids from an infected person's nose or throat.
- Direct contact such as shaking hands.
People who have the flu are most contagious and likely to pass it to someone else from 1 day before to 5 days after symptoms develop. Children may be infectious for up to 6 days before symptoms develop.
Symptoms usually develop 1 to 4 days after you are infected. Because symptoms may not develop for a couple of days, you may pass the flu to someone before you know you have it.
SYMPTOMS
The symptoms of influenza begin much like those of the common cold:
- Headache.
- Pain when you move your eyes.
- Body aches and muscle pain (often severe), commonly in the back, arms, or legs.
- Fever of 100 °F(37.8 °C) to 104 °F(40 °C), which can reach 106 °F(41.1 °C) when symptoms first develop. Fever is usually continuous, but it may come and go. Fever may be lower in older adults than in children and younger adults. When fever is high, other symptoms are usually more severe.
- Chills with body shaking. In many cases, a fever develops, and you may feel unbearably hot one moment and chilled and shaking the next.
- A dry cough, runny nose, and dry or sore throat. You may not notice these during the first few days of the illness when other symptoms are more severe. As fever goes away, these symptoms usually become more evident.
- Nausea and vomiting may occur.
- Fatigue. A general feeling of malaise.
- Weakness. Often a person with the flu is so weak and so uncomfortable that he or she does not feel like eating or doing anything else.
Influenza usually comes on suddenly. In many cases you can pinpoint the hour when symptoms started. Symptoms develop 1 to 4 days after you are infected.
Classic flu involves fever for 3 days, followed by a gradual decrease in other symptoms. Fever is usually slightly lower on the 2nd and 3rd days. It may last up to 8 days.
Respiratory symptoms (cough, runny nose, sore throat) become more noticeable as fever and other symptoms decrease. They usually last 3 to 4 days after the fever goes down. A dry, hacking cough may linger for up to 10 days after other symptoms are gone.
Complete recovery may take 1 to 2 weeks or longer. Fatigue and weakness can last for several weeks.
Influenza is rarely dangerous in healthy adults 60 years of age or younger, but it does make a person more susceptible to pneumonia, ear infections, and sinus trouble. Complications of influenza may develop in anyone, but they are much more likely in older adults and people who have other health problems, especially heart and lung diseases. Among people 65 or older, serious respiratory infections such as pneumonia and influenza are the fifth leading cause of death, so the flu is clearly a serious infection for older people.
Other Conditions With Symptoms Similar to the Flu
Sometimes it is difficult to tell whether you have influenza or some other viral illness. Many other respiratory viruses, including common cold viruses (rhinoviruses), may mimic the symptoms of a minor case of the flu.
Conditions that people mistake for the flu include:
- A common cold.
- Bacterial infections, such as strep throat, bronchitis, or pneumonia.
- Infectious mononucleosis.
- Viral infections such as a cold or flu tend to cause widespread symptoms, such as fever, body aches, a headache, and a sore throat. Bacterial infections tend to have specific symptoms involving only one system, such as a fever and sore throat only.
The flu makes you feel much worse than the common cold.
One large study found that people who had fever and cough within 48 hours of the beginning of symptoms more often had the flu rather than some other viral respiratory infection.
RISK FACTORS
Anyone can get influenza. Exposure to the influenza virus is the major risk factor for getting the flu. The virus is contagious and spreads easily among people in groups, such as in nursing homes, hospitals, shelters, schools, and day care. Working, visiting, or living in any of these areas increases your risk of getting the flu.
Factors that may increase the risk of a more serious illness and complications include:
- Being under age 4.
- Being over age 65. About 90% of the deaths caused by flu occur in this age group.
- Women who will be in their second or third trimester of pregnancy during the flu season.
- Having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), other lung diseases, or heart failure.
- Having a medical condition (such as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome [AIDS]) or using a medication that impairs the immune system.
PREVENTION
Flu Vaccinations
You may help prevent influenza by getting immunized with an influenza vaccine each year, ideally in October or November. The inactivated influenza vaccine, commonly known as the "flu shot," is given by injection. This form of the vaccine effectively prevents most cases of the flu, although success rates vary according to age, health status, and how closely the virus strains contained in the vaccine match those that are circulating through the population.
Even if a flu shot does not prevent the flu, the vaccine may reduce the severity of flu symptoms and decrease the risk of complications. Studies have found that the flu shot results in fewer days missed from work and fewer visits to a health care provider for respiratory infections, and reduces the number of people who develop complications from the flu, such as pneumonia.
In spite of these results, many people choose not to get a flu shot. The flu shot may cause side effects in some people, but they are usually minor and do not last long.
An alternative to the flu shot is now available. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved a nasal spray flu vaccine. This vaccine, called FluMist, is available to healthy children and adults between ages 5 and 49 years. To avoid transmitting the virus after being vaccinated, close contacts (such as health care workers or family members) of people with impaired immune systems should not be immunized with FluMist; they should consider getting a flu shot.
Because the FluMist nasal vaccine is more expensive than a flu shot, it may not be covered by your health insurance plan. Check with your insurance company first.
Other Ways To Reduce Risk
Other ways to reduce your risk of getting the flu or developing complications and other viral respiratory infections if you:
- Wash your hands often, especially during winter months when the flu is most common.
- Keep your hands away from your nose, eyes, and mouth. Viruses are most likely to enter your body through these areas.
- Stop smoking. It irritates the lining of your nose, sinuses, and lungs, which may make you susceptible to complications of the flu.
- Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. (See below for more information.)
- Get regular exercise.
You cannot prevent the flu or make yourself better faster by taking:
- Antibiotics. Taking antibiotics will not treat viral infections such as the flu or prevent complications. If a bacterial infection such as an ear or sinus infection develops after the flu, antibiotics may be helpful.
Some people cannot have a flu shot because they are allergic to eggs, from which the vaccine is made. The antiviral medications amantadine and rimantadine can prevent flu caused by influenza A. Two other antiviral medications (zanamivir and oseltamivir) can prevent the flu caused by influenza A and B viruses. These medications may also reduce the length of the illness if they are given no more than 48 hours after the first symptoms. During a flu outbreak, these medications may be given at the same time as the flu shot and for 2 weeks after while your body produces antibodies to protect you from the virus. These medications are taken by mouth (pill) or inhaled into the lungs (inhaler).
TREATMENT DIAGNOSIS & TESTS
Exams and Tests
Health professionals can diagnose influenza using your symptoms alone if many cases of a similar illness have occurred in the community and the local health department has confirmed a flu outbreak. Routine testing of people who have typical flu symptoms is not necessary.
Tests to confirm you have the flu and to determine the type of virus may be important if:
- The results may affect treatment decisions. During a confirmed flu outbreak, however, testing may not be needed even if treatment with an antiviral medication is being considered.
- In addition to flulike symptoms, you have any unusual symptoms that suggest another condition.
- Health authorities have not identified any other cases of flu in your area.
BLOOD TESTS
Testing may involve blood tests (rarely used) or a culture to identify the virus. Some cultures take 24 to 48 hours for results, so they will not help your doctor decide whether to prescribe an antiviral medication. A rapid flu test is now available that gives results in 30 minutes. While this test is not 100% accurate, it can be useful when deciding whether to use an antiviral medication.
CONVENTIONAL MEDICAL TREATMENT
In most healthy people, influenza will go away in 7 to 10 days. The worst symptoms usually last 3 to 4 days. Home treatment to ease symptoms and prevent complications is usually all that is needed.
Antiviral medications can be taken to:
- Reduce the severity and duration of symptoms caused by infection with influenza A or B virus.
- Shorten the length of the illness.
- Control outbreaks of the flu in nursing homes.
- Reduce the spread of the virus to people at high risk for severe complications of the flu (high-risk groups).
- Reduce complications from the flu.
People at high risk of complications are encouraged to contact their health care provider within 48 hours of their first symptoms to find out whether they need medication to shorten their illness. They also should call their health care provider to receive medication if they have been exposed to the flu. If medications are not used, contact your health care provider if signs of a complication develop.
It is estimated that only 30% of people under age 65 who are at high risk of developing the flu are vaccinated every year. All people in high-risk groups and those who could transmit the virus to them because of regular contact are strongly encouraged to get the flu shot.
Almost every community has a program that offers flu shots at low cost during the months of October and November. You also can get a flu shot during a routine visit to a health care provider during the same months. Many health care providers do not require a scheduled appointment to give a flu shot.
Medications
Antiviral medications may reduce the severity and shorten the duration of influenza symptoms by 1 or 1 1/2 days if given within 48 hours of the first symptoms.
Amantadine or rimantadine are effective at preventing the flu caused by influenza A (but not influenza B) infection. The antiviral medications zanamivir and oseltamivir are used to prevent and treat influenza A and B infections. They can lessen the severity and shorten the duration of flu symptoms. Zanamivir has not yet received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in preventing the flu, but studies have shown that it prevents the flu.
Antiviral medications also can be used to control outbreaks and prevent the spread of infection, especially in people at high risk of developing flu complications.
Two types of antiviral medications can treat influenza infections:
- Amantadine or rimantadine (used to prevent or treat influenza A infections)
- Zanamivir or oseltamivir (used to treat and prevent influenza A and B infections)
Most people do not need antiviral medications. They recover from influenza without developing complications. However, given how sick most people are when they have the flu, some people may choose to take medication even if they are at low risk for complications.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using amantadine or rimantadine to control outbreaks of influenza A among people:
- At high risk for flu complications.
- Who did not get a flu shot and who are in contact with people at risk, such as nursing home and hospital staff.
HOME TREATMENT
Good home treatment for influenza will relieve your symptoms. It may also help lower your risk of developing complications. Home treatment may include:
Nonprescription flu remedies. Nonprescription products can treat symptoms of influenza. These products contain the same ingredients found in cold remedies. Most contain an antihistamine to stop a runny nose and sneezing, a decongestant, a cough suppressant, an expectorant to bring up mucus, a fever reducer, and a pain reliever such as acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen. Nonprescription products may help relieve some symptoms, but they will not help you get over the flu faster.
In most cases of the flu, a simple pain reliever and fever reducer such as aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), or ibuprofen (for example, Advil) is all that is needed. However, to avoid the risk of Reye's syndrome, do not give aspirin to anyone under the age of 20. See Reye's Syndrome for more information.
Follow these guidelines when choosing nonprescription flu remedies:
- Avoid antihistamines. They are not effective in treating flu symptoms and may thicken nasal drainage.
- No good evidence suggests that nonprescription products are useful for children under age 5. Some combinations of antihistamines and decongestants help adults, but you need to weigh their benefits against their side effects.
- The best approach is to treat each symptom separately. Use a cough medicine when you have a cough, a decongestant when your nose is stuffy, and a mucus-thinning product (mucolytic) when nasal drainage is thick and causes problems.
- Read labels to make sure you know what the medications contain. Some have a large percentage of alcohol, and others have aspirin or acetaminophen. If you are giving a flu remedy to a child along with acetaminophen, check the label to be sure the flu remedy doesn't contain acetaminophen.
Decongestants and nasal sprays. Try a decongestant or nasal spray if your main influenza symptom is a stuffy nose. Decongestants shrink swollen tissues in the space behind the eardrum (middle ear). This may relieve pressure and pain. They can be taken by mouth or in nose drops or sprays. Oral decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), are probably more effective and provide longer relief than drops or sprays, but they cause more side effects.
Sprays and drops provide rapid but temporary relief. Neo-Synephrine is an effective nasal spray. Sprays and drops are less likely to interact with other medications, which can be a problem with oral decongestants.
Decongestant precautions:
- Look for a single-ingredient decongestant that contains pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine.
- Do not give cold medications or oral decongestants to babies or children unless instructed by your health professional. Nonprescription cold medications have not been proven effective for preschool children.
- Do not use medicated nasal sprays or drops more often than directed and not longer than 3 days. Continued use will cause your mucous membranes to swell more than before using the spray (rebound effect).
- Drink extra fluids when taking cold medications.
- If you are uncertain about which decongestant to use, ask your pharmacist or health professional for help.
- Decongestants can cause problems for people with other health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, prostate problems, glaucoma, diabetes, or hyperthyroidism.
- Decongestants also may interact with other medications such as some antidepressants and high blood pressure medications.
If nasal drainage is thick, a mucus-thinning drug (mucolytic) such as guaifenesin may help keep it thin and draining.
You also can try a homemade saline solution nasal spray that contains 0.25 teaspoon (1.25 grams) of salt in 1 cup (0.2 Liter) of water. This will not cause rebound symptoms.
Reducing fever, headache, and body aches. Fever, headaches, and body aches are typical influenza (flu) symptoms.
- If fever is uncomfortable, take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to lower it. You may also sponge your body with lukewarm water to reduce fever. Do not use cold water or ice. Lowering the fever will not make your symptoms go away faster, but it may make you more comfortable.
- If the fever is not causing discomfort, you may just want to watch for signs that it is going higher. A slight fever may help the body fight the virus.
- To relieve body aches and headache, take aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen. To avoid the risk of Reye's syndrome, do not give aspirin to anyone under age 20. Also, be aware that aspirin and ibuprofen can cause stomach upset, while acetaminophen does not.
Cough relief. You may develop a cough while you have influenza.
- Drinking extra fluids will help relieve a scratchy throat that is making you cough.
- Using cough drops or plain, hard candy can help ease coughing.
- Taking a nonprescription cough medicine that contains dextromethorphan may help you get some sleep. Some products contain a high percentage of alcohol. Use them with caution, especially when giving them to children.
- Elevating your head at night with an extra pillow may help if coughing keeps you awake.
General self-care tips. When you have the flu:
- Get extra rest. When you have the flu, you will most likely need no urging to stay home in bed for a few days. Bed rest will also help you avoid spreading the virus to others.
- Drink plenty of extra fluids to replace those lost from fever. Extra fluids also ease a scratchy throat and keep nasal mucus thin. Hot tea with lemon, water, fruit juice, and soup are all good choices.
- Avoid smoking and breathing other people's smoke. This is good advice anytime, but it is especially important when you have a respiratory infection like a cold or the flu.
- Breathe moist air from a hot shower or from a sink filled with hot water to help clear a stuffy nose.
- If the skin around your nose and lips becomes sore from repeated rubbing with tissues, apply a bit of petroleum jelly to the area. Disposable tissues containing lotion also may help.
FOR OTHER HELP:
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
1600 Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA 30333
Phone: (404) 639-3311 (CDC Operator)
1-800-311-3435 (public inquiries)
Fax: (404) 332-4564
E-mail: netinfo@cdc.gov
Web Address: http://www.cdc.gov
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, working with state and local health officials and the public in the fight against communicable diseases and cancer. The agency provides information to the public about disease prevention and treatment.
HOLISTIC & NUTRITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS
CONSIDERATIONS
Antibiotics are useless against viral infections like influenza. The best way to get rid of the flu or any other infectious illness is to attack it head-on by strengthening the immune system. The thymus and the adrenal glands are the power seat of the immune system. When the body is getting sick, or already is sick, it is under stress, and stress taxes the immune system. Researchers have linked vulnerability to colds and flu to psychological stress. See Stress for more information.
Many holistic health care providers do not recommend flu shots. Their usefulness is questionable, and the side effects may be worse than the flu would be. Enhancement of the immune-system is preferable -- and safer.
Dyslexia, a learning disability, appears to occur most often in summer babies than in babies born at other times of the year. Some researchers theorize this may be connected to flu contracted by women who are pregnant during the winter. Pregnant women should try to minimize their exposure to the virus.
Children who have the flu frequently should be checked for thyroid malfunctions. (See Hypothyroidism for more information.
The term "stomach flu" is commonly used to refer to another condition, gastroenteritis. This is not influenza, but an acute inflammation of the lining of the stomach. Gastroenteritis is characterized by diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps that vary in severity, and may be accompanied by fever, chills, head and body aches, chest pain and cough, and extreme fatigue. It may be caused by a number of different factors, including food poisoning, viral infections, alcohol intoxication, sensitivity to drugs, and certain allergies. This type of illness usually runs its course in one or two days.
See Common Cold and Pneumonia for more information about these disorders.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Consume plenty of fluids, especially fresh juices, herbal teas, soups, and quality water, to prevent dehydration and help flush out the body. Drink several cups of echinacea tea daily. This helps to build up your immune system.
Take hot chicken or turkey soup. This is grandmother's old remedy and it is still good today. Add some cayenne pepper and fresh crushed or sliced garlic to your soup (the more the better). Cayenne pepper helps to prevent and break up congestion and the fresh garlic helps to fight viral infections. Sometimes I make a fresh onion, fresh garlic, and cayenne soup in a chicken or turkey broth. I use lots of onion and several cloves of fresh garlic in my soup. Be sure to consume the onions and garlic while drinking the broth. This is my favorite "flu soup" for when I am not feeling well with the flu.
Sleep and rest as much as possible.
Drink kombucha tea. This beverage has antiviral and immune-boosting properties. See Making Kombucha Tea for more information.
In treating a sore throat, avoid using aspirin chewing gum and aspirin gargles. Aspirin applied directly to mucous membranes does not reduce pain and can act as an irritant.
Do not take zinc at the same time you eat or drink citrus fruits or juices. It will diminish the effectiveness of the zinc. Do consume a lot of other types of fruit.
Do not give aspirin to a child who has the flu. The combination of aspirin and a viral illness has been linked to the development of Reye's Syndrome, a potentially dangerous complication.
If you consume alcoholic beverages even occasionally, or if you have liver or kidney disease, be cautious about using the pain killer acetaminophen (Tylenol, Datril, and others). The combination of alcohol and acetaminophen has been associated with serious liver problems.
If you are over 65, see your health care provider. Influenza can cause serious complications for people in this age group.
HOMEOPATHIC PREVENTION & REMEDIES
The homeopathic vaccine Influenzum 200k can be used as an alternative to the vaccine: 3 x 2 granules in November to be repeated in January.
Also the homeopathic remedy Rhus Tox 200 can be used: 4 pills 3 - 4 times a day can be used as an alternative.
HERBS
If it is necessary to lower fever, take catnip tea enemas and 1/4-1/2 teaspoon lobelia tincture every 3 to 4 hours until fever drops. This is good for children also. Caution: Do not use this mixture if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, and do not give it to a child under one year old. Do not take lobelia internally on an ongoing basis. See Enemas for more information.
Echinacea, ginger, goldenseal, pau d'arco, slippery elm, and yarrow tea are good for influenza. Combining peppermint tea with any of these herbal teas is effective for helping to open up the nasal passages. Caution: Do not take goldenseal internally on a daily basis for more than one week at a time, do not use it during pregnancy, and use it with caution if you are allergic to ragweed. For ginger tea, I use the fresh root, cutting it in several pieces and adding it to hot water, letting it steep for about 15 minutes or so. This is very soothing for the digestive system.
Alcohol-free echinacea and goldenseal combination extract is recommended for children. Give a child 4 to 6 drops of combination extract in water or juice every 4 hours for 3 days. Echinacea is very effective at enhancing the body's own natural defenses. Goldenseal is a natural antibiotic and helps to relieve congestion.
Cayenne (capsicum) helps to keep the mucus flowing, aiding in preventing congestion and headaches. Simply add a bit of cayenne powder to soups and other foods. My favorite is a "cayenne cocktail" made from tomato or vegetable-tomato (V8) juice, heated using a microwave or in a stove top pan, with about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper added to it (this is very hot to the taste). Sip it down as quickly as possible while the juice is warm. I usually make this using a coffee mug as a container before adding the cayenne pepper.
ClearLungs from Natural Alternatives is an herbal combination that reduces inflammation and protects the lungs. Take 2 capsules three times daily.
At the first sign of a cough, place one dropperful of alcohol-free echinacea and goldenseal extract in your mouth and hold it there for five to ten minutes. Repeat this every hour for three to four hours. This stops the virus from multiplying.
Ephedra (ma huang) is beneficial for relief of congestion and coughing. Caution: Do not use this herb if you suffer from anxiety, glaucoma, heart disease, high blood pressure, or insomnia, or if you are taking a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor drug.
Eucalyptus oil is beneficial for relieving congestion. Put 5 drops in a hot bath or 6 drops in a cup of boiling water, put a towel over your head, and inhale the vapors.
Fenugreek breaks up phlegm and mucus, and slippery elm helps remove them from the body.
Fenu-Thyme from Nature's Way helps to rid the nose and sinuses of mucus by loosening it so it can flow easily. It does not dry up the mucus, so healing is faster.
For cough and sore throat, mix 1 tablespoon of slippery elm bark powder with 1 cup of boiling water and 1/2 cup honey. Take 1 teaspoon of this mixture every three to four hours. It can be taken either hot or cold, as you prefer.
NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS
NUTRIENTS Supplement Suggested Dosage Comments Essential ACES + Zinc from Carlson Labs As directed on label. Contains vitamin A, C, and E, plus selenium and zinc. Take this supplement in addition to zinc lozenges as directed below. Vitamin A 15,000 IU daily. If you are pregnant, do not exceed 10,000 IU daily. A powerful antioxidant and immunity booster. Plus
Natural beta-carotene
Or
Carotenoid complex (Betadene)15,000 IU daily.
As directed on label.A precursor of vitamin A. Vitamin C
With
Bioflavonoids5,000-20,000 mg daily, in divided doses. See Ascorbic Acid Flush. Strengthens the immune system by increasing the number and quality of white blood cells. For a child, use buffered vitamin C or calcium ascorbate. Zinc lozenges (Ultimate Zinc-C Lozenges from Now Foods) For adults and children over 6 years of age, 1 15-mg lozenge every two hours for 2 days, starting at the first signs of the flu. Then reduce dosage to a total of 80 mg or less daily. A potent immunostimulant that nourishes the cells. Keep these on hand and use them as soon as symptoms develop. Important Free-form amino acid complex As directed on label. Helps to repair tissue and control fever. Free-form amino acids are rapidly absorbed into the body. Garlic (Kyolic) 2 capsules 3 times daily. Has antiviral and antibacterial properties. L-Lysine 500 mg daily, on an empty stomach. Take with water or juice. Do not take with milk. Take with 50 mg vitamin B6 and 100 mg vitamin C for better absorption. Aids in combating viral infection and preventing outbreaks of cold sores in and around the mouth, common when the body is under stress from illness. See Amino Acids for more information. Helpful Bifido Factor from Natren
Or
LifeStart from NatrenAs directed on label.
As directed on label.For adults. Replaces "friendly" bacteria and acts as an antibiotic.
For infants and children.ClearLungs from Natural Alternatives 2 capsules 3 times daily. Reduces inflammation and protects the lungs. Dioxychlor from American Biologics 10-20 drops sublingually 1-2 times daily. Also add 20 drops to 1 ounce of water and instill a dropperful in each nostril daily. An important antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral agent. Especially good for elderly people. Fenu-Thyme from Nature's Way As directed on label. Helps rid the nose and sinuses of mucus by loosening it so it can flow easily. It does not dry up the mucus, so healing is faster. Maitake
Or
Shiitake
Or
ReishiAs directed on label.
As directed on label.
As directed on label.Helps to boost immunity and fight viral infection. Multivitamin and mineral complex As directed on label. All vitamins and minerals are needed for healing. With
Vitamin B complex100 mg daily. Necessary in all cellular and enzyme functions. Reduces stress caused by viral infection. And
Selenium100-200 mcg daily. Boosts the immune response, enhancing the body's ability to fight infection.
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NOTIFY YOUR MIDWIFE OR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IF... Call your health care provider immediately if:
- An infant under age 3 months has a fever of 100.4 °F(38 °C) or higher.
- A child age 3 months to 3 years has a fever of 104 °F(40 °C) or higher that does not come down after 4 to 6 hours of home treatment.
- A person age 4 or older has a fever of 104 °F(40 °C) or higher that does not come down after 2 hours of home treatment.
- You or your child has labored, shallow, rapid breathing with shortness of breath.
- You or your child has a fever with a severe headache or stiff neck or seems confused or hard to wake.
Call your health care provider if:
- Symptoms had improved but seem to be getting worse again.
- Signs of Reye's syndrome, a serious illness in children and teens, develop 3 to 7 days after the start of symptoms of the flu or another viral respiratory illness.
- Signs of a bacterial infection develop, such as an ear infection, bronchitis, or pneumonia.
- Influenza develops in a person over age 65 who has other health problems (lung, heart, or kidney disease or diabetes) or in someone who is being treated with chemotherapy for cancer.
- Influenza develops in a person of any age who has a long-term respiratory illness, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Symptoms include fever over 101 °F(38.33 °C), shaking chills, and a cough that produces mucus from the lungs (productive cough).
- Fever is high or prolonged. See Fevers: The guidelines for ages 3 and under or for ages 4 and older for more information. However, it is common for adults with the flu to have high fevers [up to 103 °F(39.4 °C)] for 3 to 4 days. If many people in your community have similar symptoms and it is flu season, it is likely you have the flu and don't need to see a health care provider. If you have any concerns, contact your health care provider.
In most healthy people, the flu will go away in 5 to 7 days, though fatigue can last much longer. Although you may feel very sick, home treatment is usually all that is needed. If it is flu season, you may just want to treat your symptoms at home. Watch closely for signs of a bacterial infection.
Early treatment (within 48 hours of your first symptoms) with antiviral medications may reduce the severity of influenza. However, it is not certain whether antiviral medications can prevent serious flu-related complications. Complications, which occur especially in infants, older adults, and people who have chronic health problems, may require a health care provider visit and care beyond home treatment.
Call your health care provider if you have any concerns that your symptoms are caused by something other than the flu.
A health care provider who specializes in treating infectious diseases may be needed if the diagnosis is unclear or severe complications develop.
Prescription for Nutritional Healing: The A-To-Z Guide To Supplements
-- by Phyllis A. Balch, James F. Balch
Helpful Links
VRAN: Flu Shot: Do They Really Work?
