Various Flu Treatment, Symptoms & Causes

Also known as influenza, flu is a viral disease of the upper respiratory tract, spread by the contaminated droplets (via coughing and sneezing) of other sufferers. The three main types of flu are caused by three different viruses—A, B, and C. Type C, once caught, confers immunity. Types A and B, however, are constantly mutating so that our bodies cannot build up resistance against them. Incubation of the virus is generally one or two days, during which time it is highly infectious, and therefore notoriously impossible to contain.


When new strains of influenza virus arise, they spread rapidly around the world, infecting millions of people and causing many deaths. Flu victims 50 years old or older, children, and immunedeficient people are at risk of developing pneumonia and other secondary infections. Over the age of 65, pneumonia and flu are the fifth leading cause of death. The disease is produced by any one of three types of Orthomyxovirus virus (A, B, and C), of which there are many strains.

Vaccines have been developed that have been found to be 70–90 percent effective for at least six months against either A or B types, and a genetically engineered livevirus vaccine is under development. Vaccination is considered especially important for older people, patients with cardiac or respiratory diseases, and pregnant women. The incidence of infection is highest among school-age children, partly because of their lack of previous exposure to various strains. Approximately every ten years, influenza pandemics have been caused by new strains of type-A virus. Epidemics, or regional outbreaks, have appeared every 2 to 3 years for influenza A, and every 4 to 5 years for influenza B.

Symptoms
• high fever, possibly accompanied by shivering
• sore throat, and possibly a dry, unproductive cough
• runny nose and sneezing
• breathlessness and general weakness
• headache, stiff and aching joints, and muscular pain
• nausea and loss of appetite

TREATMENT

Ayurveda 
Heat mustard oil and apply as a compress to the head to reduce fever. Crush root ginger, add to a little honey and lime, and drink as required. Bitter orange, sunflower, and coriander may be useful in treating flu.

Traditional Home and Folk Remedies 
Some warmed apple juice (preferably fresh) can ease the fever. Barley water is a traditional remedy for high fever— particularly one caused by infection and inflammation. Ginseng powder can be added to herbal teas to restore. Drink hot lemon and honey in a cup of warm water to ease inf lammation and fever. Gargle with lemon juice to kill germs and help to stop the spread of the virus. 

Herbalism 
Drink an infusion of boneset to relieve aches and pains and clear congestion. Fenugreek with lemon and honey will help to bring down fever and soothe aching limbs. Ginseng is a great all-round restorer and will help to bring down body temperature to normal. Use wormwood, sage, and licorice to prevent flu.

Aromatherapy 
Gargle with tea tree oil to prevent the spread of infection. Use a eucalyptus or peppermint inhalation to unblock sinuses and the chest. Massage tea tree and geranium oil into the chest and head to reduce symptoms and fight infection. Oils which act to bring down fever include bergamot, chamomile, melissa, and tea tree. 

Homeopathy 
Gelsemium, for occasions when muscular weakness, aching, and heaviness predominate. Rhus tox., for flu that starts after getting wet, where there is a lot of aching in joints rather than muscles. Accompanied by restlessness and an inability to get comfortable. Bryonia, for a bad headache and dry cough, with a desire to lie quite still. Eupatorium perfoliatum, for intense aching in the back and limbs, together with shivery chills. Arsenicum, when you feel debilitated, often with loss of fluids, and with accompanying watery diarrhea and sometimes vomiting. Baptisia, for gastric flu, when you feel “wiped out,” and your body feels bruised, or scattered around the bed; also with sudden bouts of diarrhea or vomiting. 

Vitamins and Minerals 
Eat plenty of foods rich in vitamin C, bioflavonoids and zinc, which will encourage healing, help to fight infection, and boost the action of the immune system. Royal jelly acts as a tonic and an antiviral agent. Freshly made apple juice is a good home remedy, providing vitamin C to help to combat injection. Using a juice extractor enables this to be made quickly and easily. The apple juice can be poured into a pan and gently warmed, but it must not be boiled or overheated or the vitamin content will be severely reduced.