A Naturopathic Perspective on the H1N1 Flu

By Dr. Diana Christoff Quinn

The H1N1 virus, also called the swine flu, is of great concern to many as we enter the early stages of cold and flu season. The swine flu is a strain of the influenza A virus that typically causes flu-like symptoms including fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, and sometimes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.  The swine flu is a composite of four different flu viruses – North American swine, Eurasian swine, North American avian, and human[i].

The swine flu is transmitted by respiratory droplets in the air, from coughs and sneezes.  Transmission requires fairly close contact to the sick person, as the virus can’t travel more than 6 feet and does not remain airborne for long.  The typical incubation period for the virus is 1-7 days after exposure, but more likely 1-4 days.  People infected with the flu are contagious at least one day prior to the outbreak of symptoms and up to five days after.

How serious is the swine flu?

At this time, the World Health Organization considers the overall severity of the influenza pandemic to be moderate.  The moderate assessment reflects that:

• Most people recover from infection without the need for hospitalization or medical care.
• Overall, national levels of severe illness from Influenza A (H1N1) appear similar to levels seen during local seasonal influenza periods, although high levels of disease have occurred in some local areas and institutions.”[ii]
• According to the CDC, there have been roughly 400 deaths in the US reported to date attributable to the H1N1 flu; many estimate a million cases of infection or more are probable, given that mild cases are not reported and routine testing is no longer being performed.

Are there ways to prevent the flu?

Using basic hygiene is often our best defense. Everyone is advised to wash their hands regularly, use a tissue to cover mouth and nose during a cough or sneeze, and stay home if they are ill.  Getting adequate rest and nutrition are also very important for maintaining good immune defenses.  For hand washing, consider using essential oil antimicrobial hand sanitizers such as CleanWell[iii].  This product does not contain alcohol, and is therefore gentler on hands while still being 99.9% effective in killing germs.

Natural remedies to help with prevention include probiotics, healthy gut bacteria including Lactobacilus acidophilus.  A recently published study in the journal Pediatrics demonstrated that “daily dietary probiotic supplementation for 6 months was a safe and effective way to reduce fever, rhinorrhea, and cough incidence and duration and antibiotic prescription incidence, as well as the number of missed school days attributable to illness, for children ages 3 to 5.”[iv]

Who is at risk of complications from the flu?

Most people will not experience severe symptoms or complications from the flu.  Those who may be at higher risk of complications and hospitalization include:

• Children less than 5 years old
• Persons aged 65 years or older
• Children and adolescents under 18 who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and who might be at risk for Reye syndrome after influenza virus infection
• Pregnant women
• Adults and children who have chronic pulmonary, cardiovascular, hepatic, hematological, neurologic, neuromuscular, or metabolic disorders
• Adults and children who have immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by HIV)
• Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities.[v]

When is it important to get medical attention?

Emergency warning signs in children:

• Rapid or difficult breathing
• Fever with a rash and/ or bluish skin
• Lack of thirst resulting in not drinking enough fluids
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and a worsened cough

In adults, emergency warning signs requiring urgent medical attention include:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

• Sudden dizziness or confusion

• Severe or persistent vomiting

Are there natural remedies to help treat the flu?

It is important with the treatment of the flu to keep hydrated and to rest.  Because the flu is a virus, antibiotics are not an effective treatment.  Many holistic doctors recommend using the homeopathic remedy Oscillococcinum[vi] at the first sign of symptoms.  This remedy has been shown to shorten the duration and severity of flu symptoms.  Additionally, one study of Elderberry syrup demonstrated its efficacy for shortening the duration of the flu.[vii]

The H1N1 virus was initially thought to be very dangerous, but now the severity has been updated to moderate.  With basic hygiene and self-care the flu virus may be prevented, and common natural remedies can help decrease the symptoms and duration of a flu infection.

Dr. Diana Christoff Quinn, ND is a licensed Naturopathic doctor specializing in women’s health and chronic illness.  She maintains a private practice in Ann Arbor as well as in Beaumont Hospital’s Integrative Medicine clinic in Royal Oak.  For more information or to schedule an appointment call (734) 769-4981.

[ii] http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu

[iii] http://www.cleanwelltoday.com/

[iv] http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/124/2/e172

[v] http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/identifyingpatients.htm

[vi] http://www.oscillo.com/

[vii]http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15080016?ordinalpos =13&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.PubmedResultsPanel.Pubmed_ DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum