Link to the current flu spring 2015

Swine Flu

by Dr Manish Bhatia 

Pigs

What is swine flu?

Swine flu (swine influenza) is a respiratory disease that affects pigs. It is caused by a type A influenza virus that regularly produces outbreaks of influenza in pigs. 

In pigs the infection with the virus results in a high morbidity but only a few deaths.

Why all the panic about swine flu?
After all, it is only the flu!

The worst pandemic occurred in 1918/1919. The exact number of deaths is not known, but it is estimated that then 2.5% to 5% of those infected died. Since about 20% or more of the world population was infected, a fatality rate of this magnitude means that roughly 0.5–1%, i.e. 50 to 100 million people, died worldwide. In 1957 about 45 million Americans were infected in the Asian flu pandemic, which killed 70,000 people. Eleven years later, from 1968 to 1969, the Hong Kong flu affected 50 million Americans and caused 33,000 deaths. Treatment costs amounted to approximately 3.9 trillion dollars. In 1976 about 500 soldiers fell ill with swine flu for several weeks.
You can find more about this in the work of Sandra Perko on the Homeopathic Treatment of Influenza.
The concern and panic related to avian flu and swine flu could build up because people today are informed about where a simple flu can lead and are afraid of possible consequences – not only for ‘human capital’ but also for global financial stability and prosperity.

Symptoms of swine flu

In humans swine flu is expected to produce similar symptoms to the usual seasonal influenza waves, such as fever, lethargy, loss of appetite and cough. Some patients also complained of a runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. 

Treatment of swine flu – vaccination

The protective effect of an influenza vaccine depends primarily on the relatedness of the vaccine viruses and the epidemic viruses. Thus vaccination with non-reactive H3N2 SIV viruses does not necessarily protect pigs against other H3N2 variants.
It is believed that the current vaccine used against the usual seasonal influenza infections H1N1 offers no protection against swine flu. The director of the US health authority at the National Centre for Immunisation and Respiratory Diseases stated that the cases that occurred in the USA contained a combination of genetic elements from four different virus groups – North American swine influenza, North American avian influenza, human influenza A subtype H1N1 and the Eurasian–Asian swine influenza virus.

Heal swine flu naturally:

Homeopathic remedies for swine flu

Why homeopathy?
Homeopathy achieved great therapeutic success during the 1918–1919 influenza pandemic. Here is a quote from the report of the well-known historian Julian Winston:

The house journal of the American Institute of Homeopathy published in May 1921 a long article about the use of homeopathy in the influenza epidemic. Dr T. A. McCann from Dayton, Ohio, reports that of 24,000 allopathically treated influenza cases the death rate was 28.2%, while of 26,000 homeopathically treated influenza patients only 1.05% died. The latter result was further supported by Dean W. A. Pearson of Hahnemann College in Philadelphia, who reported 26,795 homeopathically treated influenza cases with corresponding success.

The most frequently prescribed remedy was Gelsemium; occasionally, according to the report, Bryonia and Eupatorium were also required. Dr Herbert A. Roberts from Derby, Connecticut, stated that 30 doctors from Connecticut had answered his questionnaire. They reported 6,602 cases with 55 deaths, which is less than 1%. Dr Roberts had served as a physician on a warship during World War I. On the voyage to Europe he treated 81 influenza cases. He reported: "All received a homeopathic treatment, recovered and were able to land unharmed. Another ship, however, lost 31 men."

Homeopathic remedies
Considering that swine flu produces symptoms similar to human influenza, the following homeopathic remedies may prove useful in the treatment of swine flu:

#Gelsemium [Gels]
This remedy fits the onset of the problem. The patient is weak, tired and has aches all over the body. Gelsemium quickly relieves the severe pains and muscle inflammation. The patient feels constantly cold and seeks warmth. The fever does not rise as high as with Aconite, yet the cough sounds harsh and is very painful. There are cases of frequent sneezing with excoriating nasal discharge, great dizziness and apathy. Extensive experience during the great 1918 epidemic has proven the effectiveness of Gelsemium. Mild cases were rapidly cured with it. Aconite has sometimes proved the better remedy for children; however, it is not regarded as the remedy of first choice in influenza cases. Nevertheless it should of course be prescribed when indicated; it may under certain circumstances moderate and relieve secondary attacks. It acts in these cases not as rapidly as in simple fever, as here the entire circulatory system is affected by the infection.

#Baptisia
For influenza infections with pronounced gastrointestinal symptoms we need this remedy, especially when there is purulent diarrhoea. Clarke considers Baptisia the most fitting remedy for these symptoms; he uses it in C30. Hughes also praises Baptisia but uses D1 and D2, as in his view they act more on the external symptoms.

#Eupatorium perfoliatum
This remedy is much concerned with inflammation and pains all over the body; hoarseness and cough, severe inflammation of the larynx and the entire upper respiratory tract. Runny nose with great thirst, but drinking induces vomiting. The cough is hacking, causes pain in the head and chest, and as with Drosera the patient must hold his chest with both hands. Intense bone pains are a particularly typical symptom. When acute gallbladder problems occur, the indication is even clearer. Many homeopaths rely particularly on this remedy in the early stage of influenza.

#Sabadilla [Sabad]
The keynote symptom for this remedy is continued sneezing. As soon as he goes into the fresh air, sneezing and tearing occur. The inner throat and pharynx swell and the pain is worse with dry swallowing. Sneezing is excessive and shakes the whole body. A striking symptom is chills with gooseflesh that run up the back. Frontal headaches, dry mouth without thirst and cough that worsens when lying down are other characteristic symptoms. Sabadilla fits many cases of cold and influenza; other remedies that show this striking sneezing are Cyclamen and Euphorbia.

#Arsenicum [Ars]
Arsenicum covers more stages of influenza than any other remedy. Hughes believes it can shorten the course of an influenza, especially when it is accompanied by profuse nasal discharge, exhaustion and spasmodic rhinorrhoea. Its periodicity makes it a suitable remedy for epidemics. It fits stages of influenza when mainly the upper respiratory tract is affected. Burning dryness of the mucous membranes with abundant, excoriating, watery discharge, together with conjunctivitis, are unmistakable signs. Equally important symptoms are weakness and exhaustion.

#Arsenicum iodatum
Chills alternate with hot flushes, accompanied by a violent watery nasal discharge. The corrosive expectoration irritates the skin; frequent sneezing and great prostration also occur. It fits true influenza and is highly praised by Hale. Sanguinaria is particularly helpful when the trachea and larynx are affected. Phytolacca may be the right remedy when the throat is inflamed and mottled red and the cervical glands are very hard or very soft. 

#Dulcamara [Dulc]
Dulcamara is one of our best remedies for the acute stage of an influenza. The eyes water, the throat is sore and the cough is painful because the surrounding muscles are inflamed. When the symptoms were brought on by cold, damp weather Dulcamara is all the more indicated.

#Bryonia
The complaints are mainly in the bronchi and move downward. If someone is very irritable and feels very poorly with his influenza, wanting only to lie still and be left alone, then Bryonia is indicated. Headache, muscle pain and cough or abdominal pain are the main symptoms. Everything is worse from the slightest movement. The patient usually has a dry mouth and feels thirsty for large quantities of cold drinks.

#Phosphorus may be indicated when the complaints move towards the chest. It is an important remedy for the states of weakness that remain after an influenza. Phosphorus suits nervous people. It is the restorative, the "tonic" for convalescence. 

#Rhus toxicodendron [Rhus-t]
Influenza with severe bone pains throughout the body; sneezing and coughing. The cough is worse in the evening. It is triggered by an irritation behind the upper sternum. Rhus toxicodendron is especially helpful for complaints caused by dampness and moisture. Exhaustion and depression are typical symptoms. Patients often show symptoms that point to typhus, such as a burning tongue, stupor and delirium. Muscle pains and nocturnal restlessness are keynote symptoms. Causticum, like Rhus and Eupatorium, has a feeling of tiredness, soreness and bruisedness all over the body. The chest feels sore when coughing. In addition, coughing often leads to involuntary passage of urine.

#Allium cepa [All-c]
Violent nasal discharge and catarrh of the upper airways. The nose runs abundantly; accompanied by sneezing and tickling cough, the face is swollen and looks inflamed. Camphora. This remedy is often sufficient to nip an approaching influenza attack in the bud or at least to bring about a milder course of the disease.

#Sticta [Stict]
Catarrh of the upper airways, headache, thirst, nocturnal expectoration of mucus, watering eyes, runny nose, hoarse voice, frontal headaches as well as depression and exhaustion of the whole system. Influenza attacks in tuberculosis patients: "There is no better remedy for these patients who suffer from incessant, weakening, tormenting cough," says Dr Fornias. "Tuberculinum is, however, an excellent remedy for prevention in those prone to recurrent influenza attacks."

#Ipecacuanha
This remedy fits cases where the gastrointestinal symptomatology predominates. The tongue is clean or only slightly coated. Nausea with profuse salivation. Vomiting of large quantities of white, albuminous mucus without relief. Afterwards drowsy; worse from bending. Little thirst. Cough: dry, spasmodic, crampy, asthmatic. Short of breath from the slightest exertion. Violent dyspnoea with wheezing and anxiety in the epigastrium. Cough with rattling of mucus on inspiration, danger of suffocation from mucus obstruction. Bone pains as if all the bones were crushed.    

#Veratrum album
Veratrum fits cases where the vital forces rapidly decline. Complete exhaustion; collapse. Cold sweat on the forehead (or all over the body); with every conceivable complaint. Violent, unquenchable thirst for cold drinks, for large quantities of cold water and for sour drinks. He wants everything cold. Diarrhoea: frequent, greenish, watery, flocculent, comes in gushes. Cutting, colicky abdominal pains with cramps that begin in the hands and feet and spread throughout the body, caused by fears. Worse from the slightest movement; with vomiting, during which cold sweat forms on the brow, followed by exhaustion. Severe vomiting with nausea and great weakness. Drinking aggravates (Ars.); the slightest movement worsens. Afterwards great weakness.

The current swine flu outbreak or possible pandemic 

How to distinguish these flu remedies?
If the patient has mild flu symptoms such as a runny nose, watering eyes etc., shows no other particular symptoms, but is anxious that it might be swine flu – then think of Aconite.
If the flu patient appears listless, exhausted and indifferent and suffers from severe diarrhoea, and the parts of the body he has been lying on feel sore and bruised – think of Baptisia.
If your flu patient is restless, anxious or fearful and drinks tiny amounts frequently with great thirst, is exhausted, gets diarrhoea after eating or drinking and feels nauseous at the sight or smell of food, and complains of burning pains – then think of Arsenicum album.
If nausea is the main symptom, the patient has no thirst and complains of bone pains – then think of Ipecacuanha.
If the patient has no gastrointestinal symptoms but complains of deep-seated bone pains – think of Eupatorium perfoliatum.
If the patient feels dizzy, giddy and drowsy, has little thirst and is chilly, especially in the back – think of Gelsemium.

Lessons from the 1918/1919 influenza pandemic

Many people believe that the current viral strain has similarity to that of the 1918/1919 pandemic, although it is not exactly the same virus.
During the 1918/1919 influenza pandemic, previously asymptomatic persons could suddenly be stricken by the disease and within hours become so weak that they were unable to walk; many died the next day. The symptoms were: a bluish discolouration of the face and bloody coughing due to pulmonary congestion. In some cases the virus caused uncontrollable bleeding that filled the lungs and patients essentially drowned in their own bodily fluids (pneumonia). In other cases the influenza virus caused loss of bowel control and the victims died from continuous loss of body fluids and bleeding. 
When such symptoms occur in the form of a pandemic, the proven homeopathic remedies Arsenicum album, Cantharis, Phosphorus, Cuprum metallicum, Camphor, Veratrum album, Ipecacuanha or Carbo vegetabilis provide effective help.
Arsenicum album, Phosphorus, Ipecacuanha and Carbo vegetabilis have pronounced effects on the respiratory tract and the lungs (for the symptom group described above), whereas Cantharis, Phosphorus and Carbo vegetabilis have more affinity to a symptomatology with bloody stools. Camphor and Veratrum album better cover acute circulatory collapse with bluish facial discolouration.

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Original article and further information at Hpathy

Source/ reference for information on swine flu:
1. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USA