HaChoooo! Natural and Preventive Strategies against Swine Flu (H1N1), Seasonal Flu and Cold

Much hype has been made in the media in the past few months of the influenza outbreak (swine flu/H1N1 virus). CDC has determined that this new H1N1 virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human..

Is it really a “swine” virus?
The virus is referred as “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs. Based on CDC, the genetic make up of this virus include genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia, avian genes, and human genes. Scientists call this a “quadruple reassortant” virus.

Symptoms of the swine flu
Symptoms of this new influenza virus in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, diarrhea and vomiting. Also, like seasonal flu, severe illnesses and death has occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus. The only way to confirm and differentiate the “swine flu” from Seasonal flu is by laboratory tests.

How does this new H1N1 virus spread?
Spread of this H1N1 virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching contaminated surfaces.

Can I get infected with this new H1N1 virus from eating or preparing pork?
No. According to CDC, H1N1 viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get this new HIN1 virus from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.

How long can an infected person spread this virus to others?
Currently, CDC believes that this virus has the same properties in terms of spread as seasonal flu viruses. With seasonal flu, studies have shown that people may be contagious from one day before they develop symptoms to up to 7 days after they get sick. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods.

What household cleaning should be done to prevent the spread of the virus?
To prevent the spread of influenza virus it is important to keep surfaces (especially bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, kitchen counters and toys for children) clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label.

What should I do if I get sick?
If you live in areas where cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms listed above, you may want to contact their health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.

When you are sick, take the measures below to get well and to stop spread of the virus to others:

1. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
2. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
4. Stay home if you are sick for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.

Other important actions that you can take are:

1. Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
2. If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.

In children emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish or gray skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
• Fever with a rash

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting

The Flu Vaccine
There are two kinds of 2009 H1N1 vaccines being produced:

1. A 2009 H1N1 "flu shot" — an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm.
2. The 2009 H1N1 nasal spray flu vaccine — a vaccine made with live, weakened viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for "live attenuated influenza vaccine").

According to CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP),vaccine should be administered first to people in the following five categories:

1. pregnant women,
2. people who live with or provide care for infants younger than 6 months (e.g., parents, siblings, and day care providers),
3. health care and emergency medical services personnel,
4. people 6 months through 24 years of age (especially those with higher risk for influenza-related complications like children younger than 5 years and those who have high risk medical conditions), and,
5. people 25 years through 64 years of age who have certain medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications.

If you are considering HIN1 Flu Vaccine and not sure if it is right for you. Call our office at 760-944-9300 to schedule an appointment with one of our naturopathic doctors.

Stay informed by checking the CDC website for the latest information and updates at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/.

What natural and preventive remedies I can take to boost my immune system?
As is true of all health concerns, prevention is the smartest strategy. By boosting your immunity, you’ll have a better chance of keeping colds from developing in the first place.

There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

1. Wash your hands- at least 20 seconds each time with soap and water.
2. Keep your hands out of your mouth and nose
3. Try not to touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus.
4. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

A person’s nutritional status greatly impacts the health of their immune system. The key to maintaining an optimal immune system is following the basic healthy lifestyle guidelines discussed below:

Diet:

1. Whole food diet: fresh fruits and vegetables balanced with whole grains are rich in vitamins and minerals necessary for carrying out our daily functions. Eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily.
2. Reduce or eliminate consumption of the following foods:
   

• Simple sugars, even in the form of fruit juice, is deleterious to the host’s immune status.
• Refined carbohydrates (white flour, white rice, processed foods
• Dairy (mucus producing)
• Alcohol

3. Protein: Protein is the building block for every cell in our body from our skin to our immune cells, so it’s important to get an adequate amount so your body can fight infection, build and repair tissues such as hair, skin and nails and make enzymes, hormones and other body chemicals.

• Daily Protein Requirement: 0.8g protein/kg body weight *note: 2.2lbs = 1 kg
• 150 lb person needs 54 g/day of protein

Studies have shown that oral administration of 100g portions of carbohydrate as glucose, fructose, sucrose, honey, and orange juice 
all significantly reduce neutrophil phagocytosis (immune cell function), while starch has no effect. Effects start within less than 30 minutes, last for over 5 hours, and typically show a 50% reduction in phagocytic activity at the peak of inhibition (usually 2 hours after ingestion). Since PMNs constitute 60-70% of the total WBC and are a major portion of the defense mechanism, impairment of phagocytic activity leads to an immune-compromised state.

Water: Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. Almost 2/3rds of our body weight is composed of water. Water is lost daily from our bodies through sweat, urine, breathing and digestion. To replace depleted water stores you should drink at least 1/2 of your body weight in fluid ounces per day with the addition of electrolytes (sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium).

• Did you know: a 5% reduction in hydration results in a 25% reduction in energy
• In addition to your daily required water intake, you should drink 2 cups of water for every cup of alcohol or caffeinated beverage consumed and for every hour of exercise.

Exercise: Exercise at a minimum 3-4 days a week for a minimum of 30 minutes or longer.

Sleep: sleep is important for growth, development and restoration and repair
A good night’s sleep = falling asleep within 20 min of lying down and sleeping uninterrupted for 7-8 hrs.

Reducing stress: Stress causes increases in hormones that suppress the immune system. Therefore it is important to address our emotions, attitudes and reaction to stressful stimuli, because it is our perception of that stimulus that determines whether our body processes it as a stressful event. By changing how we perceive various stimuli in our lives we can control our biochemical response. One strategy for reducing stress is visualization and breathing exercises.

Supplements:

• Multivitamin: provides the essential vitamins and minerals that are lacking in the vast majority of our diets
• Omega-3 fatty acids: an essential fatty acid that is vital for proper cellular function, reduces inflammation and promotes healthy skin and hair
• Probiotics: 70% of our immune system is in our gut, so it’s important to have an adequate population of “good” bacteria in your colon to create a healthy gastrointestinal environment.

Vitamins and Natural Treatments specific for immune enhancement:
In addition to following healthy lifestyle factors, immune function can be enhanced with essential nutrients, antioxidants, carotenes, and flavonoids.

1. Vit A: increases natural killer cell activity (your 1st line of defense), enhances antibody response; strong anti-viral effects. These effects are not simply due to reversal of vit A deficiency, but rather very high doses of vit A actually further enhance these effects. Dietary sources: Dark orange, yellow, red fruits and vegetables are rich sources of beta-carotene and other carotenoids. Since these pigments are also found in chlorophyll-rich plants which mask the orange color, dark green leafy vegetables are also rich sources of carotenoids. Milk fortified with vitamin A and liver
2. Vitamin C: reduces the frequency, duration, and severity of the common cold. Dietary sources: citrus fruits, like oranges, cantaloupe, strawberries, tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage, kiwi fruit, sweet red peppers
3. Zinc: Zinc is involved in virtually every aspect of immunity. Zinc has antiviral activity, including activity against several viruses that cause the common cold. A clinical study found that using zinc lozenges reduced cold symptoms from an average of seven days to four days. Supplementation with zinc stimulates the production of white blood cells and generally supports the activities of other immune system activities such as, neutrophils, T lymphocytes, and natural killer (NK) cells. Dietary Sources: Oysters, Beef, Crab (Dungenes), Turkey (Dark Meet), Chicken (Dark Meet), and Beans.
4. Selenium: supplementation above the normal dietary intake produces significant immune enhancing effects; in one study, supplementation of selenium in individuals with normal selenium levels resulted in a 118% increase in the ability of immune cells (lymphocytes) to kill tumor cells, and an 82.3% increase in natural killer cell activity (1st line of defense). Dietary sources: cereals (eg. corn, wheat, and rice), nuts (Brazil nuts and walnuts), legumes (soybeans), animal products (beef, chicken, egg, cheese), seafood (tuna). Other selenium rich foods are oats, cods and turkey. Brazil nuts are among the very rich sources of selenium. In fact, it is advised to exercise caution with consumption of Brazil nuts, as the selenium intake may reach to toxic level.
5. Medicinal Mushrooms: Hot water extracts of shiitake, maitake, codyceps, reishi and coriolus have been shown to have immune-modulating activities. Beta-glucan, a complex polysaccharides found inside cell walls of these mushrooms, binds to receptors on immune cells such as macrophages, natural killer cells and neutrophils thereby stimulating their immune boosting activities.

Natural Treatments At the Onset of Cold and Flu

1. Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia or purpurea): Is a broad immune-stimulating herb by activating and increasing the numbers of the immune cells, circulating immune cells and enhances their activity activating as it a. Roots of this plant is which is most commonly used for stimulating the immune response in viral illnesses. antiviral, antibacterial; activates. Numerous clinical studies have shown Echinacea to be effective for general infectious conditions like colds, flu and upper respiratory tract infections. Echinacea has been shown clinically to reduce the severity and length of cold sign and symptoms as well as decrease the frequency of cold and flu.
2. Astragalus membranaceus: Immune-enhancing properties of astragalus have been studied at the National Institutes of Health and found to have increased the level of of alpha- and gamma-interferon, the body's own antiviral compounds.
3. Elder flower and berry (Sambucus nigra): It helps to clear congestion, relieves inflammation in the sinuses and throats and decreases fever.
4. Stimulate a fever to fight infection by taking a hot bath that you can only stand for 10-15 min while sipping hot ginger tea—do this when you first feel the cold or flu coming on; then put on some sweats and get into bed
5. Cold with Cough: Pour hot water over 2 tsp of organic lemon rinds, 1 tsp of sage, ½ tsp thyme (dried or fresh herbs can be used). Cover and let steep 15 min. Strain the tea, then add the juice of ½ lemon and 1 tbsp honey. Drink 2-3 cups daily for cough relief.
6. Cold with Sore Throat: Salt water gargle—add ½ tsp of salt to warm water and gargle

Comments:

Personally, I don’t get the seasonal cold and flu that goes around each year even when I come in contact with those who are sick. I have never been vaccinated for seasonal flu. If you want to find out how I stay healthy, call me at 760-944-9300 or email me at info@opintegrativecenter.com. Dr. Abida Wali, N.D.

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* Start your journey to a stronger immunity against common cold and flue this season by scheduling a complimentary consult with one of our naturopathic doctors.

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