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'Vital Stream Naturopathy' and 'Naturopathy at Home' are trademarks of Koda
Credits to Bastyr University for content included in patient handouts and 'Naturopathy At Home' TM  topics.
Credit to Dr Tenpenny re "The truth about the flu shot."
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            Swine Flu (H1N1) Prevention with Vitamins and Herbs

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus.  The symptoms of swine flu in humans  
include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, and coughing. Occasional symptoms include runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and
diarrhea.  According to Anne Schuchat of the CDC the current strain appears to be derived from four different flu viruses, including (i)
swine flu from the US, (ii) swine flu from Asia and Europe, (iii) US bird flu and (iv) human flu.  This current strain adapts readily to
humans and changes its genotype readily. A theory on the origin of the current strain is that Asian and European strains arrived in
Mexico via migratory birds or people, then combined with North American strains in Mexican pig factory farms, then crossed over to
farm workers and into the general community.

Warning Signs
  • Flu-like symptom include fever, body aches, lethargy, lack of appetite, coughing, and occasionally runny nose, sore throat,
    nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
  • Warning signs in children that signify an urgent need for medical attention include:
  • Fast breathing or difficulty breathing
  • Bluish skin color
  • Cries inconsolably; cries if touched or moved
  • Lethargic and difficult to awaken
  • 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
  • See our page on "Fevers in Children"
  • Warning signs in adults that signify an urgent need for medical attention include:
  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
  • Sudden dizziness
  • Confusion
  • Severe or persistent vomiting

Prevention:
  • Avoid actions that impair your immunity:
  • Avoid sugar. Even small amounts of sugar can significantly impair your immune function for hours, making you more
    susceptible to the flu.
  • Manage your stressors. Prolonged stress decreases your immune response, making you much more susceptible to
    a flu infection.  Studies show that prolonged stress is at least partially responsible for 90% of all illness and disease.  
    Consider meditation or prayer to reduce stress.
  • Get enough sleep. Insufficient sleep decreases your immune response. Most people need about 8 hours per night for
    optimal health.
  • Practice good hygiene
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
  • Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
  • If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone
    except to get medical care or for other necessities.
  • While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible.
  • During the winter most heating systems dry out your mucous membranes making you more susceptible to viruses.  
    Get fresh air regularly.  
  • Boost your immune system
  • Exercise. Regular exercise boosts your immune system.  (Note that too little or too much exercise may impair your
    immune system)
  • Diet. Brightly colored fruits and vegetables are packed with healthy phytonutrients that can strengthen your immune
    system.  Eat 5-9 servings per day of fresh organic fruits and vegetables.
  • Supplementation for maintaining a healthy immune system.  View Paul Bergner's "vitamins and herbs for flu" and
    "vitamin D for flu."  During flu season increase your intake of these nutrients to the following levels:        
  • Zinc                25 mg /day
  • Selenium          200 mcg/day
  • Vit A                10,000 IU/day
  • Vit C                 500-1000 mg/day
  • Vit E                100-200 IU/day
  • Vit D                4,000-10,000 IU/day
  • EFA’s                1 tablespoon/day (e.g. cod liver oil)

At the first signs of flu-like symptoms:
  • Supplements to consider:
  • Consider an herbal supplement with several of these constituents:
  • Propolis
  • Sambucus nigra (Elder)
  • Eupatorium (Boneset)
  • Yerba santa
  • Glycyrrhiza glabra (but not if have high blood pressure)
  • Astragalus
  • Quebracho
  • Olive leaf
  • Euphrasia (Eyebright)
  • Grindelia
  • Verbascum (Mullein)
  • Achillea
  • Vit C powder 1,000-2,000 mg three times per day to bowel tolerance (for 4 days then taper off).
  • Vit A 25,000 IU three times per day for 3 days, then decrease to twice per day, then once per day over next 6 days.
  • We recommend …
  • Flew Away by Natura
  • Wellness Herbal Defense Formula by Source Naturals (tablets)
  • Quick Defense concentrated Rx-A defense factors by Gaia herbs
  • If you get the flu, stay in bed or at the least significantly reduce activities and stressors for 7 days.  You may feel better
    after a couple days, however the immune response to the flu occurs in waves.  So after feeling better on day 3, the
    immune system continues to respond bringing on cytokine storms on days 4, 5 and 6.
  • Home treatment
National flu report                           Disclaimer