Swine Flu and Homeopathy

Homeopathy is being used successfully in India to treat cases of Swine Flu. Here is an article by homeopathic doctor, Dr. Pawan Pareek, who runs a very busy clinic in Agra.

Swine Flu H1N1
by Dr. Pawan Pareek

Swine influenza A (H1N1) is a viral infection that first infected humans in the U.S. and Mexico, and has now spread to almost 168 countries worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared it to be a pandemic. It is named for a virus that pigs can get. People do not normally get swine flu but human infections can and do happen. The virus is contagious and can spread from human to human.

The symptoms of swine flu in humans are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.

There are antiviral medicines you can take to prevent or treat swine flu but the body cannot make antibodies to fight this germ and antibiotics are of no use. There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu.

You can help to prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza by taking the homoeopathic medicine INFLUENZINUM 200

History

Swine flu in humans is nothing new. Its transmission usually occurs from swine or poultry to humans. Transmission from human to human is rarer and originates from a mutation in the influenza strain. This particular strain of flu is an Influeza A strain.

The Influenza Epidemic of 1918

The flu epidemic which occurred during 1918 and 1919, called the “Spanish” influenza strain and classified as pandemic, is believed to have infected one third of the world’s population and, according to the U. S. Center for Disease Control, caused almost as many as 50 million deaths. This figure is speculated, as many who died during that period were not actually diagnosed, nor were samples taken for lab testing and identification.

The causes of human influenza in 1918, and its links to avian and swine flu were not exactly known.

Ancestral and Descendant Strains of the 1918 Flu

Researchers claim that “All influenza A pandemics since then, and almost all cases of influenza A worldwide except human infections from avian viruses, have been caused by descendants of the 1918 virus.” (Taubenberger and Morens)

That 91-year-old virus wasn’t killed. It survives as the “ancestor” of the deadly descendants that spread today. Indeed, researchers in the 1930s found its offspring in both pigs and humans and concluded that it was related to raging flu epidemics in 1847 and 1889.

The Influenza Epidemic of 1976

In 1976, an Army recruit at Fort Dix, NJ, complained that he was feeling weak and tired. He died the next day (Feb. 5). Shortly thereafter, four other soldiers were hospitalized. Health officials attributed the death to swine flu and stated that the flu strain affecting them was closely related to that of the 1918 epidemic. Public health officials panicked and urged President Gerald Ford to act. About 24% of the U.S. population was quickly vaccinated. Unfortunately, the largest casualty was approximately 500 cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome linked to an immunopathological reaction to the flu vaccine. There were 25 associated deaths from severe pulmonary complications.

The Present Swine Flu Threat

There was an outbreak of swine flu in the Philippines in 2007. When the disease spread to backyard pig farms, the National Meat Inspection Service there raised a hog cholera red alert warning for the Manila region, then for five regions of Luzon.

The strain in the present 2009 outbreak involves a virus similar to the one found in U. S. pigs since 1999, but there are also resemblances to versions present in European swine. One theory is that Asian and European strains traveled to Mexico from either migratory birds or in people, then combined with North American strains in Mexican pig factory farms before being transmitted to Mexican farm workers.

Transmission of Swine Flu (How does Swine Flu spread?)

As with other flu-like illnesses, Swine influenza is spread as follows:
• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Kissing
• Touching infected objects
• Touching nose, mouth and/or eyes with infected hands

Swine flu does not spread by eating pork.

INFECTIOUS PERIOD

Persons with swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection should be considered potentially contagious for up to 7 days following onset of the illness. Persons who continue to be ill longer than 7 days after illness onset should be considered potentially contagious until symptoms have resolved.

Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods. The duration of infectiousness might vary by swine influenza A (H1N1) virus strain. Non-hospitalized ill persons who are confirmed or suspected cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection are recommended to stay at home (voluntary isolation) for at least the first 7 days after illness onset.

SYMPTOMS

Although uncomplicated influenza-like illness (fever, cough or sore throat) has been reported in many cases, mild respiratory illness (nasal congestion, rhinorrhea) without fever, and occasional severe disease have also been reported.

Other symptoms reported with swine influenza A virus infection include vomiting, diarrhea, myalgia, headache, chills, fatigue, and dyspnea. Conjunctivitis is rare, but has been reported.

Severe disease (pneumonia, respiratory failure) and fatal outcomes have been reported with swine influenza A virus infection. The potential for exacerbation of underlying chronic medical conditions or invasive bacterial infection with swine influenza A virus infection should be considered.

Complications of Swine Influenza

Those at higher risk of catching influenza in general include those with the following:

• Age 65 years or older
• Chronic health problems (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease)
• Pregnant women
• Young children

But the past epidemics and pandemics of flu have shown that during pandemics most people who succumb are healthy young adults.

Complications of Swine Flu can include:
• Pneumonia
• Bronchitis
• Sinus infections
• Ear infections
• Death

VACCINATION

The current vaccine against the seasonal influenza strain H1N1 is thought unlikely to provide protection against swine flu.

PREVENTION

Don’t be afraid. Homoeopathy and homoeopaths are available; constant worry and hurry may have a negative effect on your health and your immune system. A morning walk, mild exercise, meditation or yoga and healthy nutritious food are the best ways to boost your immunity.

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. You can also use alcohol-based hand cleaners.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

Stay home from work or school if you are sick.

PRECAUTION

For interviews of ill, suspected or confirmed swine influenza A virus cases, the following is recommended:

• Keep a distance of at least 6 feet from the ill person; or
• Personal protective equipment: fit-tested N95 respirator [if unavailable, wear a medical (surgical mask)].

GUIDELINES FOR SCHOOLS/COLLEGES/INSTITUTIONS RE INFLUENZA A/H1N1

• Any student or staff member showing flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, running nose and difficulty in breathing should be allowed to stay at home for a period of 7 to 10 days.

• In the case of students staying in hostels, the educational institutions should not only monitor the health status of the students, but also that of all care providers. It has to be ensured that the care providers wear face masks and wash their hands regularly. It might not be advisable to send boarders back home, as this could spread infection further.

• Schools should discourage students from travelling to affected countries.
If tested positive for H1N1

DON’T BE AFRAID - HOMOEOPATHY IS AVAILABLE.

Homeopathy was very successful in dealing with the 1918-19 flu pandemic. Here is a quote from the famous historian Julian Winston:

“Perhaps the most recent use of homeopathy in a major epidemic was during the Influenza Pandemic of 1918.

The Journal of the American Institute for Homeopathy, May, 1921, had a long article about the use of homeopathy in the flu epidemic. Dr. T A McCann, from Dayton, Ohio, reported that 24,000 cases of flu treated allopathically had a mortality rate of 28.2% while 26,000 cases of flu treated homeopathically had a mortality rate of 1.05%
This last figure was supported by Dean W.A. Pearson of Philadelphia (Hahnemann College) who collected 26,795 cases of flu treated with homeopathy with the above result.

The most common remedy used was Gelsemium, with occasional cases needing Bryonia and Eupatorium reported. Dr. Herbert A. Roberts from Derby, CT, said that 30 physicians in Connecticut responded to his request for data.

They reported 6,602 cases with 55 deaths, which is less than 1%. Dr. Roberts was working as a physician on a troop ship during WWI. He had 81 cases of flu on the way over to Europe. He reported, "All recovered and were landed. Every man received homeopathic treatment. One ship lost 31 on the way."

People should not worry about swine flu; constant worry, fear and its threat in our mind may decrease our body’s resistance to fight this germ. We fought this germ successfully nearly a century ago and can now do the same again.

Homeopathic Remedies for Swine Flu / H1N1 Influenza

INFLUENZINUM 200-Treatment may be started with this remedy. It is a nosode and could be given as an intercurrent remedy when well-selected remedies fail to improve the condition

1-ACONITE NAP-High fever with dry skin; restlessness with great thirst.

2-ARS ALB-It is the head remedy. Its indications are: restlessness with thirst for small quantities of water at short intervals, sneezing, running from the nose.

3-GELSEMIUM-It has sneezing, frequent and violent chilliness up and down the back, watery discharge from the nose which is bland.

4-EUPATORIUM PERF-Fever with chill followed by vomiting of bile. Deep pain in the bones relieved by pressure and movements. Thirst but water tastes salty or oily. Coryza with sneezing, hoarseness and loose cough.

5-BRYONIA-It is indicated when flu is complicated with pneumonia. Shooting pain in the muscles. Dry hacking cough causing much pain in the lungs and chest.

6-RHUS TOX-Restless with pain in limbs, tosses about to get relief. Flu with constant chilliness.

7-DULCAMARA-Eyes suffused, throat sore, cough hurts due to muscular soreness brought on by wet or change to cold weather.

8-CAUSTICUM-High fever, no chilliness, much prostration. Hoarseness, dry hacking cough with spurting of urine.

9-CARBOLIC ACID-Cold hands and feet; profound prostration and fatigue.

10-PHOSPHORUS-Bronchial affection with dry tickling cough and tightness across the chest, hoarseness, husky, rough voice, desire for cold water.

11-SABADILLA-Sneezing is the great keynote of this remedy. Sneezing and lachrymation on going into the open air. The throat is swollen and the pain is worse on the left side on empty swallowing. Frontal headache, dryness of mouth, without thirst and cough, worse on lying down, are additional symptoms.

12-ARS IOD-Chills, flushes of heat and severe fluent coryza, discharge irritating and corrosive, sneezing and prostration with afternoon rise of temperature.

13-IPECAC-Adapted to cases where gastric symptoms predominate; tongue clean or slightly coated. Nausea: with profuse saliva; vomiting of white, glairy mucus in large quantities, without relief. Cough, with rattling of mucus in bronchi when inspiring; threatened suffocation from mucus. Pains as if bones were all torn to pieces.

14-VERATRUM ALBUM-Adapted to diseases with rapid sinking of the vital forces; complete prostration; collapse. Cold perspiration on the forehead, cold breath, cold blue skin, violent nausea. Thirst for cold water, but it is vomited soon after it is swallowed.

POST INFLUENZA TREATMENT

1-CARBO VEG –An excellent remedy for post influenzal symptoms such as prostration, lack of energy, residual bronchitis, burning in soles of feet.

2-AMMONIUM CARB-Cough after influenza when bryonia and other remedies fail.

3-BAPTISIA-Low ranging fever with delirium; pain and soreness all over the body with prostration.

Those for whom Homeopathy is the medicine of choice may select from the remedies above and those who have never used Homeopathy are welcome to try. History bears witness to its great effectiveness in all cases of influenza.