HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR INFLUENZA

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

Homoeopathic remedies are effective for treating and the prevention of influenza . Some of the important remedies are given below--

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 itercurrent 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 pepper

PREVENTION—Homoeopathic remedies are found to be very effective for the prevention of Influenza. Give Influenzinum 200, in the first day , second day onwards give Arsenic alb 200 two times daily ( morning  and night ) for one week