Should we worry about influenza?
The most frequent questions that people do are:
Does influenza or the so-called viral fever (flu) need to be taken seriously? Can it be fatal?
Is homeopathy treatment effective in preventing and controlling these viral onslaughts?
The answer to all these questions is “yes”. Influenza virus, in fact all virus, are constantly changing themselves and due to the fact that only a few changes can turn a non-harmful virus into a harmful one, influenzas should be taken seriously.
Homeopathic approach, taken on the onset of the condition, can effectively help to control and even abort the onslaught by these viruses in their initial stages. It can also provide a broad spectrum of preventive cover for the non-affected ones, if the virus epidemic is known.
Oscillococcinum or Anas barbariae, has shown extremely good results in addressing influenza. In most cases as a prevention and in some cases helping with the symptomology.
Due to its effectiveness, in Europe and United States, it has become an over-the-counter drug, readily available in most health shops and homeopathic pharmacies. Homeopathic remedies have an edge in addressing viral infections. They charge up or boost our immune system to fight these viruses.
As previously mentioned, prevention can be possible to a great extent, though cover may not be 100 percent (although in all honesty nothing can), as viruses have this strange ability to quickly mutate, changing their genetic structures, giving way to different strains.
There are mainly three type of influenza viruses affecting people, called Type A, Type B, and Type C. Influenza viruses are RNA viruses that make up three of the five genera of the family Orthomyxovirida. The type A Influenza viruses are the most virulent human pathogens among the three types and cause the most severe symptoms.
The H1N1 strain that caused the famous Spanish flu in 1918 and the Swine flu in 2009, belong to this category. The type B Influenza it infects mainly humans. The type C virus, infects humans, dogs and pigs. The latter is less common than the other types and usually only causes mild disease in children.
After initial infection, symptoms can occur from 12 hours to 5 days. Symptoms of common flu usually resolve in 7 to 10 days. It occurs frequently in winters, rainy season, humid atmosphere and sudden change of weather.
Most common flu symptoms
The most commonly symptoms encountered in a flu are a sudden headache, fever, dry cough, runny nose, sore throat and body aches. The muscles will ache and the patient may feel very tired or prostrated. The fever can be as high as to 40C.
Most people feel better in a few days but, especially if fever is supressed with antipyretics, the symptoms such as tiredness and cough can last for weeks or longer. There are well indicated remedies to deal with such conditions.
If, on the other hand, the immune system is already compromised with chronic conditions or medication, flu can have a serious impact on health and cause serious complications.
Most people who get the flu get better within a week (although they may have a lingering cough and tire easily, for a while longer). For elderly people, newborn babies, and people with certain chronic illnesses, the flu, and its complications can at times be life-threatening.
The flu is spread or transmitted, via the air or air born and when a patient coughs, sneezes, or speaks, sends the virus into the air allowing and other people in the surrounding area to inhale the virus. Influenza may, though less often, be spread when a person touches a surface that has flu viruses on it — a door handle, for instance — and then touches his or her nose or mouth.
Most commonly used homeopathic remedies for Flu
Homeopathy addresses naturally and effectively the flu. They have no side effects or toxic effects on the system since they are made of natural substances. They work by stimulating the body’s restorative and healing processes.
Rhus Toxicodendron
This is a remedy that addresses flu where the infected person feels chills as if cold water was being poured over. Sudden flushes of heat alternating with chills can be present.
Nux Vomica
This remedy is commonly used to address the flu where symptoms of anxiety, fever, chills with thirst, and heat without thirst, are predominant. The body, especially the face, feels burning hot and the person feels chilly with every movement.
Allium Cepa
Is commonly used to address the flu accompanied with constant sneezing. Sneezing occurs more in a warm room, and there is copious watery, acrid discharge from the nose. Lachrymation of eyes and redness may also be present, but the tears are bland.
Sabadilla
Is used to address flu where spasmodic sneezing is prevalent. Oversensitivity to odours and lack of tolerance to smells, like those of flowers and garlic is a common symptom.
Arsenic Album
This remedy is when the patient suffering from flu has a thin, watery, excoriating discharge from the nose, as well as restlessness and thirst for small quantities and often.
Pulsatilla
Flu symptoms with a yellowish-green discharge that is worse indoors and better in the open air. Despite the fever the patient has no thirst.
Eupatorium Perfoliatum
Flu with severe muscle ache, chills preceded by thirst, extreme soreness, and aching of the bones. Bruised feeling, as if broken all over the body, weak pulse, and prostration (physical weakness).
Bryonia
Flu where the muscle aches worsen from the slightest motion or movement, the same applies to the headaches where even the slightest motion of the eyes can aggravate. Other symptoms include aching in the joints and muscles with bursting, tearing pains where the patient doesn’t want to be disturbed and feels better by resting.
Mercurius Solublis
Flu with an extreme sore and burning throat. Painful dryness of the throat, with increased salivation and drenching night sweats are prevalent.
Gelsemium
Flu with extreme weakness where the patient wishes to rest or sleep. The symptoms of the flu can be accompanied by dizziness, faintness, and weakness.
Belladonna
Flu where a congestive headache and a red face are present. Throbbing pain and fullness in the head, mainly forehead and temples (sides of the head) are characteristic of the headache, as well as a high fever.
I must stress again that these are just a few of the most common remedies used for flu or influenza with a few key indications, but there are many more remedies that can apply according to the totality of the symptoms that the patient is expressing.
About the Author
PRACTICING CLASSICAL HOMEOPATH AND DOCTOR OF MICROBIOLOGY
ALEXANDRA CARNEIRO DE MELO, PhD MSc, PhD (London), DIHom (Pract), FBIH, RSHom
Education Personal
Accreditations:
- BSc – Food Engineering, 1989 – Porto University, Portugal (High Class Honors)
- MSc – Food Microbiology, 1991 – University of Reading in the UK
- PhD – Applied Microbiology, 1997 – King’s College, London
- DIHom(Pract) – Diploma in Homeopathic Medicine, Practitioner Level British Institute of Homeopathy
- FBIH – Fellowship for life, British Institute of Homeopathy
- RSHom – Member of The Society of Homeopaths
As a homeopath, my ultimate goal is to help you live to your fullest capacity, where the entire spiritual, mental, emotional, social and physical being is restored to the natural state it was created in. Please do get in touch if you are ready to begin your healing journey.
Website: www.alexcmelo.com
Alexandra Melo