INTRODUCTION:

Influenza, commonly known as flu, is an infectious disease of birds and mammals caused by an RNA virus of the family Orthomyxoviridae (the influenza viruses).Flu often termed as a seasonal problem is very common during late fall and winters. Flu generally occurs in small outbreaks but sometimes they can turn out to be a human pandemic infecting a lot of people at a time because flu virus is easily transmittable through cough or sneeze through the air.

SYMPTOMS:

The symptoms of influenza (flu) appear suddenly and often include:

·              Fever of 100 F to 104 F, which can reach 106 F when symptoms first develop.

·              Shaking chills.

·              Body aches and muscle pain (often severe), commonly in the back, arms, or legs.

·              Headache.

·              Pain when you move your eyes.

·              Fatigue and loss of appetite.

·              A dry cough, runny nose, and a dry or sore throat.

CAUSES:

The flu is caused by three types (strains) of viruses - influenza A, B and C. Type A is responsible for the deadly influenza pandemics (worldwide epidemics) that strike every 10 to 40 years, whereas type B causes smaller, more localized outbreaks. Type C is less common and causes only mild symptoms.

TRANSMISSION:

  The influenza virus is generally passed from person to person by airborne transmission. Influenza virus is spread by inhaling droplets that have been coughed or sneezed out by an infected person or by having direct contact with an infected person's secretions.   Handling household articles such as doorknobs, pens, pencils, keyboards, telephone receivers, and eating or drinking utensils that have been in contact with an infected person may sometimes spread the disease.

RISK FACTORS:

The following groups are at increased risk for serious illness with the flu, or in contact with those at high risk, and should receive vaccine:

·              All people 50 years of age and older  

·              Adults and children with long-term heart or lung problems, including asthma

·              Residents of nursing homes and other facilities housing patients of any age who have serious long-term health problems

·              People who have kidney disease, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, anemia, cancer or immunological disorders and other medical conditions for which they are under the close supervision of a doctor, including people with HIV inflection

·              Children aged 6 months to 18 years on long-term aspirin therapy and, therefore, might be at risk for developing Reye syndrome after influenza infection and

·              Women who will be in the second or third trimester of pregnancy during the influenza season.

TREATMENT:

To keep yourself away from this deadly disorder, take the yearly flu vaccine. Antivirals like Tamiflu, Relanza, Rimantadine and Amantadine are also very effective in the treatment of Flu. These drugs work by paralyzing the action of viruses in your body.

PREVENTION:

Vaccination: The single best way to prevent influenza is to get vaccinated in October or November every year

Antiviral Medications: Four antiviral drugs (amantadine, rimantadine, zanamivir, and oseltamivir) can be used to prevent influenza.

Other Habits for Good Health: These steps can help prevent influenza and other illnesses:

·              Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

·              Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing

·              Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing.

·              Washing your hands often with soap and water or with alcohol-based hand cleaner will help protect you from germs.

·              Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth after touching contaminated things.

·              Stay home when you are sick.

·              Practice healthy habits

·              Get regular exercise, enough rest, and eat healthy balanced meals.

HOME REMEDIES:

Long Pepper

Half a teaspoon of the powder of long pepper, mixed with two teaspoons of honey and half a teaspoon of juice of ginger should be taken thrice a day. This will help greatly if taken in the initial stages of the disease.

Garlic

Garlic is useful as a general antiseptic and the patient should take as much as he can bear.

Turmeric

A teaspoon of turmeric powder should be mixed in a cup of warm milk and taken three times a day.

Onion

Equal amounts of onion juice and honey should be mixed, and three or four teaspoons of this mixture should be taken daily in the treatment of this disease.

Ginger

A teaspoon of fresh ginger juice, mixed with a cup of fenugreek decoction and honey to taste, is an excellent diaphoretic mixture which increases sweating and reduces fever in this disease. The fenugreek decoction may be prepared by boiling one tablespoon of fenugreek seeds in half a litre of water, till it is reduced by one third.

Grapefruit

The juice of grapefruit has proved useful in this disease as it tones up the body and the digestive tract.

Basil Leaves

About one gram of green leaves of the basil plant should be boiled along with some ginger in half a litre of water till about half the water is left.

Finger Millet

Fumigation of the burnt flour of finger millet is useful in influenza. It should be inhaled gently in the treatment of this disease.

Honey

Drink a whole cup of honey by itself and then sleep... it gives you more energy.

  HERBAL REMEDIES:

ANISE Tea stimulates mucus secretion in lungs & throat.

BONESET - Expectorant.

CATNIP Tea relieves fever & digestive upset, relaxing effect.

CAYENNE can be added to fresh orange juice or soup to relieve congestion and increase mucus flow.

ECHINACEA is an excellent immune stimulant that relieves major flu symptoms.

ELDERBERRY prevents infections and shortens duration of flu.

EPHEDRA Opens bronchial passages.

GARLIC Is an antibacterial that helps prevent infection. Eaten raw or taken in capsules.

GINGER A tea made by steeping the fresh, chopped root in boiling water for 20 minutes is used to soothe throat and ease congestion.

MULLEIN   - Used as expectorant and to soothe sore throat.

TILDEN FLOWER Tea used for sore throat & headache.

ESSENTIAL OILS:

Some essential oils can be very helpful as well.

For severe congestion dab a bit of salve or aloe gel under the nose (to protect the sensitive tissue) and then apply a drop of essential oil of peppermint directly under the nose. Breathing in the vapors helps clear nasal passages, and alleviate nausea.

Ginger infused oil can be mixed with a few drops of eucalyptus oil to make a nice chest rub.

Cold Comfort Tea Recipe and Aromatherapy for Boosting Immunity are also used in treatment.

HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES:

Aconitum napellus: A flu that comes on suddenly and intensely—with fever, anxiety, constricted pupils, and strong thirst—is likely to respond to this remedy.

Apis mellifica: This remedy may be helpful if a person has dry fever that alternates with sweating, facial flushing, and a very sore throat with swollen tonsils.

Arsenicum album: A person who needs this remedy during flu feels chilly and exhausted, along with an anxious restlessness

Belladonna: Sudden, intense symptoms — including fever, red face, hot skin, and extreme sensitivity to light and jarring — suggest a need for this remedy.

Bryonia: When a person is very grumpy and feels miserable with the flu, wanting only to lie still and be left alone, this remedy is likely to be useful.

Eupatorium perforliatum: Flu with deep pain occurring in the legs or back (“as if the bones would break”) often responds to this remedy.

Ferrum phosphoricum: This remedy may be helpful during flu with fever, headache, rosy cheeks, and a feeling of weariness.

Gelsemium: Symptoms of fatigue and achiness that come on gradually, increasing over several days, may indicate a need for this remedy.

Nux vomica: When this remedy is indicated in influenza, the person may have high fever, violent chills, strong nausea and cramping in the digestive tract.

Oscillococcinum (also called Anas barbariae): Oscillococcinum has strong antiviral effects.

Phosphorus: When this remedy is needed during flu, the person has a fever with an easily-flushing face, and feels very weak and dizzy.

Rhus toxicodendron: A person who needs this remedy during flu feels extremely restless. Fever is accompanied by bone and muscle aches.

Sulphur: This remedy may be useful if flu is very long-lasting or has some lingering symptoms—often after people have neglected to take good care of them.

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