HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR INFLUENZA OR FLU
Influenza is a viral infection that
attacks your respiratory system — your nose, throat and lungs. Influenza,
commonly called the flu, is not the same as stomach "flu" viruses
that cause diarrhea and vomiting.
For most people, influenza resolves
on its own. But sometimes, influenza and its complications can be deadly.
People at higher risk of developing flu complications include:
·
Young children under 5, and
especially those under 2 years
·
Adults older than 65
·
Residents of nursing homes and other long-term
care facilities
·
Pregnant women and women up to two
weeks postpartum
·
People with weakened immune systems
·
People who have chronic illnesses,
such as asthma, heart disease, kidney disease and diabetes
·
People who are very obese, with a
body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher
Causes
Flu viruses travel through the air in
droplets when someone with the infection coughs, sneezes or talks. You can
inhale the droplets directly, or you can pick up the germs from an object —
such as a telephone or computer keyboard — and then transfer them to your eyes,
nose or mouth.
People with the virus are likely
contagious from the day or so before symptoms first appear until about five
days after symptoms begin, though sometimes people are contagious for as long
as 10 days after symptoms appear. Children and people with weakened immune
systems may be contagious for a slightly longer time.
Influenza viruses are constantly
changing, with new strains appearing regularly. If you've had influenza in the
past, your body has already made antibodies to fight that particular strain of
the virus. If future influenza viruses are similar to those you've encountered
before, either by having the disease or by vaccination, those antibodies may
prevent infection or lessen its severity.
But antibodies against flu viruses
you've encountered in the past can't protect you from new influenza subtypes
that can be very different immunologically from what you had before.
Symptoms
Initially, the flu may seem like a
common cold with a runny nose, sneezing and sore throat. But colds usually
develop slowly, whereas the flu tends to come on suddenly. And although a cold
can be a nuisance, you usually feel much worse with the flu.
Common signs and symptoms of the flu
include:
·
Fever over 100.4 F (38 C)
·
Aching muscles, especially in your
back, arms and legs
·
Chills and sweats
·
Headache
·
Dry, persistent cough
·
Fatigue and weakness
·
Nasal congestion
·
Sore throat
Risk
factors
Factors that may increase your risk
of developing influenza or its complications include:
Age. Seasonal influenza tends to
target young children and older adults.
Living conditions. People who live in
facilities along with many other residents, such as nursing homes or military
barracks, are more likely to develop influenza.
Weakened immune system. Cancer
treatments, anti-rejection drugs, corticosteroids and HIV/AIDS can weaken your
immune system. This can make it easier for you to catch influenza and may also
increase your risk of developing complications.
Chronic illnesses. Chronic conditions, such
as asthma, diabetes or heart problems, may increase your risk of influenza
complications.
Pregnancy. Pregnant women are more likely
to develop influenza complications, particularly in the second and third
trimesters. Women who are two weeks postpartum are also more likely to develop
influenza-related complications.
Obesity. People with a BMI of 40 or more
have an increased risk of complications from the flu.
Complications
If you're young and healthy, seasonal
influenza usually isn't serious. Although you may feel miserable while you have
it, the flu usually goes away in a week or two with no lasting effects. But
high-risk children and adults may develop complications such as:
·
Pneumonia
·
Bronchitis
·
Asthma flare-ups
·
Heart problems
·
Ear infections
Pneumonia is the most serious
complication. For older adults and people with a chronic illness, pneumonia can
be deadly
HOMOEOPATHIC
REMEDIES
ACONITUM NAPELLUS 30-Aconite is prescribed for Influenza when sudden
cold air exposure is the cause. The exposure is followed by immediate fever and
watery nasal discharges. Extreme anxiety and restlessness accompany the fever.
ANAS BARBARIAE 30- Controlled scientific studies have
proven this remedy effective in treating the flu. It is particularly effective
if it is taken during the first 48 hours of onset . There is primarily helpful when the flu has a rapid
onset, bursting headache, a painful cough, or when flu symptoms begin after
being exposed to a cold wind.
ARSENICUM ALBUM 30- Arsenic Album is one of the excellent
remedies for Influenza.It is prescribed when
there is a thin watery discharge from the nose. The discharge leads to a
burning sensation and most of the times it is accompanied by sneezing. The
person’s condition gets worse in cold air. Being in a warm room can provide
some relief to the person.Another striking symptom are restlessness with
thirst for small quantities of water at short
intervals.
GELSEMIUM 1x—Gelsemium is one of the top remedies for influenza. Gelsemium is prescribed when there is running
nose, which is bland and sneezing accompanied by pain in eyes and head. The patient
may also experience weakness and drowsiness.There is frequent and violent
chilliness up and down the back, face flushed and dark red. Aching pain in
muscles. No thirst but severe headache that is a leading symptom.
EUPATORIUM
PERFOLIATUM 2X- Eupatorium Perfoliatum is of great help to treat the
fever in Influenza when the patient experiences severe deep pain in bones , relieved by pressure and
movement. It is also indicated in fever with chill followed by vomiting of bile.
Shivering runs down the back and spreads to extremities. The patient also has
coryza with sneezing , hoarseness and loose cough. The patient feels dryness of
the body.
RHUS TOXICODENDRON 30-Rhus tox is another effective remedy for
Influenza.There is constant chilliness as if cold water was poured over the
body or as if the blood ran cold through the veins , with pain in limbs.
Another prescribing symptoms are restlessness and the patient tosses about in
bed which gives relief. The tongue is dry with triangular tip. There is hard
tickling cough.
DULCAMARA 30-Dulcamara is one of the best remedies in acute form. It is brought on
by wet or change to cold weather. Other symptoms are – eyes suffused, throat
sore, cough hurts due to muscular soreness.
BAPTISIA
TIN.
Q- Baptisia tic. Is effective in epidemic Influenza with besotted countenance ,
bleary eyes, aching head, sore throat, pains and soreness all over the body and
profound prostration. Stupid look with stupor from which it is difficult to
arouse the patient.
CAUSTICUM
1000-
Causticum is also effective when there is high fever , flushed face, no
chilliness, much prostration, could hardly get out of bed. Nose stopped, coryza
free , watery. Hoarseness. Dry hacking cough which is persistent.
INFLUENZINUM
200-
Influenzinum is a nosode and should be given as an intercurrent remedy when
other well selected remedies fail to
improve the condition.It is given as preventive in epidemic form of flu. It
also cures. Treatment may be started with this remedy.
BRYONIA
ALB. 30-Bryonia alb is indicated when flu is complicated with
pneumonia. There are shooting pains in muscles which are aggravated by least
movement. Dry hacking cough causing much pain in the lungs and chest. There is
sweating of the body.
KALI
BICHROMICUM 30-Kali bichromicum is indicated for cough after
fever which is not dry. Sticky phlegm which can be drawn into a thread. There
is weakness , ulceration of the mucus membrane of the nose with pain in the
root of the nose and clinkers .
AMMONIUM
CARB 200--Ammonium carb. is indicated cough after Influenza when
Bryonia and other remedies fail. For such a cough Ammonium carb. should be
tried first.
CARBO VEG. 200- Carbo veg is an excellent remedy for post Influenzal symptoms such as prostration, lack of energy, residual bronchitis, burning in soles of feet as if from a red peppe
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