Influenza Health Article

Diagnosis

Although there are specific laboratory tests to identify the flu virus strain from respiratory samples, doctors typically rely on a set of symptoms and the presence of influenza in the community for diagnosis. Specific tests are useful to determine the type of flu in the community, but they do little for individual treatment. Doctors may administer such tests as throat or sinus cultures or blood tests to identify secondary infections.

Since 1999, however, seven rapid diagnostic tests for flu have become commercially available. These tests appear to be especially useful in diagnosing flu in children, allowing doctors to make more accurate treatment decisions in less time.

Treatment

The patient should drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious foods. Chicken soup with ginger, scallions, and rice noodles is nutritious and has healing powers. Rest, to allow the body to fight infection, is very important. Gargling with salt water (half teaspoon salt in one cup of water) helps to soothe a sore throat. A vaporizer with eucalyptus or Vicks VapoRub will make the patient feel more comfortable by easing breathing and aiding sleep. Applying Vicks ointment over chest and back will assist and speed recovery. Returning to normal activities too quickly invites a possible relapse or complications.

Herbals

Herbal teas and other preparations can be taken to stimulate the immune system, for antiviral activity, and to relieve symptoms. The following herbs are used to treat influenza:

• Ginger (Zingiber officinalis) reduces fever and pain, has a sedative effect, settles the stomach, and suppresses cough.
• Forsythia (Forsythia suspensa) fruit can be taken as a tea for its anti-inflammatory, fever-reducing, and antimicrobial properties.
• Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) flower can be taken as a tea for its anti-inflammatory, fever-reducing, and antimicrobial properties.
• Anise seed (Pimpinella anisum) can be added to tea to expel phlegm, induce sweating, ease nausea, and ease stomach gas.
• Slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) can be taken as a tea or slurry to soothe sore throat and ease cough.
• Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea or angustifolia), in clinical studies, reduced flu symptoms including sore throat, chills, sweating, fatigue, weakness, body aches, and headaches. The usual dosage is 500 mg thrice on the first day, then 250 mg four times daily thereafter.
• Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) has fever reducing, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antitussive properties. The usual dose is 125 mg three to four times daily. Goldenseal shouldn't be taken for more than one week.
• Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) boosts the immune system and improves the body's response to stress. The common dose is 250 mg of extract four times daily.
• Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis) modulates and boosts the immune system and improves respiration. The usual dose is 500 mg two to three times daily.
• Elder (Sambucus nigra) has antiviral activity, increases sweating, decreases inflammation, and decreases nasal discharge. In a study, elderberry extract reduced flu symptoms within two days whereas placebo took six days. The usual dose is 500 mg of extract thrice daily. Also use 2 tsp of dried flowers in 1 cup of water as a tea.
• Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis) helps the body fight disease and increases endurance.
• Grape (Vitis vinifera) seed extract has antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties. The usual dose is 50 mg three times daily.
• Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) or peppermint (Mentha piperita) essential oils added to a steam vaporizer may help clear chest and nasal congestion.
• Boneset infusion (Eupatorium perfoliatum) relieves aches and fever.
• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) relieves chills.

Other remedies

Acupuncture and acupressure are said to stimulate natural resistance, relieve nasal congestion and headaches, fight fever, and calm coughs, depending on the points used.

A homeopathic remedy called Oscillococcinum may be taken at the first sign of flu symptoms and repeated for a day or two. This remedy is said to shorten the duration of flu by one or two days. Although oscillococcinum is a popular flu remedy in Europe, however, a research study published in 2003 found it to be ineffective.

Other homeopathic remedies recommended vary according to the specific flu symptoms present. Gelsemium (Gelsemium sempervirens) is recommended to combat weakness accompanied by chills, a headache, and nasal congestion. Bryonia (Bryonia alba) may be used to treat muscle aches, headaches, and a dry cough. For restlessness, chills, hoarseness, and achy joints, poison ivy (Rhus toxicodendron) is recommended. Finally, for achiness and a dry cough or chills, Eupatorium perfoliatum is suggested.

Hydrotherapy can be utilized. A bath to induce a fever will speed recovery from the flu. While supervised, the patient should take a bath as hot as he/she can tolerate and remain in the bath for 20–30 minutes. While in the bath, the patient drinks a cup of yarrow or elder-flower tea to induce sweating. During the bath, a cold cloth is held on the forehead or at the nape of the neck to keep the temperature down. The patient is assisted when getting out of the bath (he/she may feel weak or dizzy) and then gets into bed and covers up with layers of blankets to induce more sweating.

Supplemental vitamins are recommended for treating influenza, and include 500–2000 mg vitamin C, 400 IU to 500 IU of vitamin E, 200 micrograms to 300 micrograms selenium, and 25,000 IU beta-carotene. Zinc lozenges are helpful, as is supplemental zinc at 25 mg per day for two weeks or more.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) uses mixtures of herbs to prevent flu as well as to relieve symptoms once a person has fallen ill. There are several different recipes for these remedies, but most contain ginger and Japanese honeysuckle in addition to other ingredients.