Immune Support During Flu Season.

By Linda Ryan

Human-to-human transmission of the 2009 H1N1 swine flu occurs in the same way as seasonal flu occurs in people, which is mainly person-to-person transmission through coughing or sneezing of people infected with the influenza virus and/or by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching the mouth, eyes or nose.

Signs and symptoms of infection generally present within 24 to 48 hours and include:

  • Fever of more than 100 degrees F (37.7 C)
  • Coughing - dry at first. then productive
  • Lethargy / fatigue
  • Lack of appetite
  • Sore throat, runny nose
  • Body aches and chills
  • Headache - sometimes severe
  • Vomiting and/or diarrhea are common with this strain

The swine flu in humans is most contagious during the first five days of the illness, although some people, mostly children, can remain contagious for up to ten days.

Prevention tips:

  • Be mindful of when you are touching public access surfaces such as doorknobs, handles (grocery carts, taxis), elevator buttons, remote controls, telephones, etc.,
  • Wash hands often
  • Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Alcohol wipes, such as those used in clinics, are cheap and easy to carry in a pocket or purse for disinfecting a hotel room, or hands after touching public access surfaces.

The following considerations are intended to support the immune prior to an exposure (prevention) and to support the immune system to fight the infection if exposure risk is high, or an acute infection is suspected (under threat).

Prevention: Under Threat:

Andrographis Complex tablets                    1 TID                     2 TID

Echinacea Premium tablets                          1 TID                      2 BID

St. Johns wort tablets                                   1 TID                      2 TID

or St. Johns wort High Hypericin 1:2 1 mL TID                       3 mL TID

Ganoderma & Shiitake 2 BID

Also consider having Herbal Throat Spray on hand for sore throat relief and DiaCo Phytosynergist for managing fever.  Both will also offer additional immune support.

April 30, 2009 | Filed Under News | Leave a Comment 

Patient Handouts

These patient Handouts are available via Microsoft Word (.doc) format. Please pass these along to your friends and family. If you think you have a great handout that we should add for the community, please email it in Microsoft Word format to pj_wiz@yahoo.com. We thank Dr. Bruce Bond and Dr. Stuart White for these great handouts:

Fat’s and EFA’s

Controlling Cholesterol

Anti-Aging Tips

April 10, 2009 | Filed Under Patient Resources | Leave a Comment