Happy Sunday,
Anyone concerned about H1N1 influenza, aka “Swine Flu”? Seems like that is all I am hearing about lately. Is it all hype? Is the media/government/medical system trying to induce fear to get everyone vaccinated?
The information below on H1N1 influenza is taken from the September 2009 Whole Child Wellness Newsletter. Whole Child Wellness is where we bring my daughter Maya to see her pediatrician. Its tag line is “Holistic pediatrics for your child’s body, mind and spirit.” You don’t hear a philosophy like that too often in the western medicine world. It took us a while to find a holistic model like Whole Child Wellness and we are very happy that they treat our daughter as an individual, rather than just another kid to fit into the generalized model of health care.
All three of the doctors at Whole Child Wellness are originally trained as Western Medicine Physicians and then went on to study other alternative forms of healing. If you want the best of both worlds like I want for Maya, check them out: Whole Child Wellness
Here is part of their September 2009 Newsletter:
H1N1 influenza is here
It’s true. H1N1, or the swine flu, is already here, and we’ve already seen many cases throughout the Bay Area. The good news is that most cases have been relatively mild, and the vast majority of patients experience mild symptoms and make a full recovery within a week, without any medical treatment, according to WHO Director Margaret Chan. In recent outbreaks among schools, the illness has been found to be fairly mild, with most kids having fever and generalized malaise for only a few days. So while we are seeing H1N1 influenza now, and will very likely see more throughout this winter season, the bottom line is DON’T PANIC! On the other hand, while H1N1 influenza does not appear to be nearly as serious as has been portrayed in the media, H1N1 does appear to be highly contagious. So read on to find out how to help your children stay as healthy as possibly during this cold/flu season.
How can I protect my child from H1N1 influenza?
The first step in protecting our children from H1N1 influenza, or any infection for that matter, is common-sense prevention. These include:
Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly and often, especially before eating or touching your face, or after sneezing or coughing.
Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your arm when coughing or sneezing, not with your hand.
Avoid contact with others if you or they are ill, for at least 24 hours after being fever-free.
Apart from these common-sense measures, there are many ways that we can support our, and our children’s, immune systems during these upcoming winter months. Make sure to drink plenty of water and stay well-hydrated. Eat lots of colorful fruits and vegetables to maximize your antioxidant intake. Avoid refined sugar and processed/junk food. Get plenty of fresh air and daily exercise even if it’s just a 15-minute walk! Be sure to sleep your fill and minimize stress, as this will enhance your body’s ability to effectively fight infections.
We also recommend that you ensure that you and your child are receiving adequate amounts of the following to provide optimal support for your immune system:
Fish oil
Probiotics (see the summary of a new research article below with exciting new health benefits of probiotics)
Vitamin C
Vitamin D
Arabinogalactan is a natural sugar derived from the bark of the larch tree that enhances natural killer cell activity these cells are part of our first line of defense against any invading organism. Taking arabinogalactan daily during the winter cold/flu season can provide helpful protection against any winter bug. Herbal medicines such as Astragalus can also assist our immune system’s ability to fight off infections. While Echinacea and Elderberry are also great immune-boosting herbs, there has been some concern expressed with their use for H1N1 influenza infection as some of the more serious complications from an overly active immune response (often referred to as a cytokine storm) may theoretically be triggered. For now, we are recommending their use with caution.
For specific recommendations on treating your child’s immune system, please call to schedule a consultation visit with your doctor. We plan to offer a repeat of our Holistic Management of Cold and Flu class that we offered last year, probably in November.
When should my child see the doctor?
Typical symptoms of H1N1 influenza, like all other forms of influenza, may include fevers, body aches, headache, runny nose, cough, sore throat, and possibly also vomiting and diarrhea. While H1N1 influenza is most commonly a self-limited illness, some serious complications can arise, including dehydration, subsequent bacterial infections (pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections), and worsening of chronic medical conditions such as asthma. You should seek out medical attention for your child if they have:
Fever for more than 3-4 days
Confusion, excessive drowsiness
Inconsolability, excessive irritability
Difficulty breathing
Severe or persistent vomiting
Dehydration (no urine for more than 6-8 hours)
There are various homeopathic and herbal medicines that may help to shorten the duration and severity of illness. Depending on your child’s specific symptoms, these options may include homeopathic medicines such as Belladonna, Gelsemium, Bryonia, Oscillococcinum by Boiron, and SyInfect by Syntrion; and herbal medicines such as Windbreaker by Kan Herbs. Please call your pediatrician for more specific advice to help your child with his/her specific flu symptoms.
When should I consider Tamiflu?
Tamiflu is a prescription antiviral medication that is available for treatment and prevention of influenza infection. When taken within the first 48 hours of the onset of symptoms, Tamiflu may shorten the duration of illness by 1-2 days and prevent serious complications. Its side effects can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bronchitis, abdominal pain, dizziness, headache, insomnia, and fatigue. Treatment with Tamiflu is generally not needed for healthy children and adults. However, there are some patients who are considered at higher risk for influenza-related complications that may benefit from its administration. According to the CDC, these higher-risk populations are:
Children younger than 2 years of age
Adults 65 years and older
Pregnant women
People with the following conditions:
Chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular (except high blood pressure), renal, hepatic, hematologic, neurologic, neuromuscular, or metabolic disorders (including diabetes)
Immunosupression, including that caused by medication or by HIV
People younger than 19 years receiving long-term aspirin therapy
When used to prevent the flu, Tamiflu has been found to be about 70-90% effective. Using Tamiflu for prevention of H1N1 infection in people who have been exposed to a known case of H1N1 may be considered for those who are at higher risk for complications. Tamiflu should not be used if more than 48 hours have passed since exposure, and does not guarantee that you will not get infected. Tamiflu is not recommended for prevention of illness in healthy children or adults based on potential exposure in community, school, camp, or other settings. In addition, there are no safety data on long term or frequent use of Tamiflu or other antiviral agents in children.
What about the H1N1 vaccine?
H1N1 is a novel or new strain of influenza A, but the current influenza vaccine will not provide protection again H1N1 infection. The H1N1 vaccine is slated to be available by mid-October. The California Department of Public Health is working to distribute the H1N1 vaccine to hospitals and clinics, and will first distribute the vaccine to those serving high-risk populations. These will likely include patients with chronic illnesses, pregnant women, and children under 3 years of age. We do not know if/when H1N1 vaccine will be available to our clinic but will keep all of our patients apprised as we get more information.
At the moment, we have no idea what other chemicals will be included in the vaccine, and there has been mention of thimerosal, squalene, and stronger adjuvants many of whose safety profiles concern us. Once we know exactly what is in the H1N1 vaccine, we will be sure to keep all of our patients informed and aware of our recommendations.
New Research: Probiotics prevent cold and flulike symptoms
In a very interesting study just published in the Journal Pediatrics, researchers found that taking probiotics 2x/day from November through May drastically decreased the incidence of fevers, coughs, and runny nose in 3 to 5 year olds. The study was done in China, and involved 326 children. 110 children were given a probiotic with Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM alone. 112 children were given a combination probiotic with Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp lactic Bi-07, and 104 children were given a placebo. Compared to the placebo group, the children who took the probiotic with only Lactobacillus had 53% reduced incidence of fever, 41% reduced incidence of cough, and 28% reduced incidence of runny nose. Those who took the probiotic with combined Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium had even better results – 72 % less fever, 62% less cough, and 59% less runny nose!
The particular combination of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium used in this study is found in Ultra Flora Plus, a probiotic made by Metagenics. Ultra Flora Plus is available in our office, although other high quality probiotics may work just as well to support the immune system in this way.
One thing to remember is that this study did not specifically address the incidence of influenza, so we do not know if the probiotics decreased the incidence of this disease or only other viral respiratory infections. It would seem logical that it would decrease the incidence of influenza as well, but we do not know this for sure. In any case, taking probiotics seems like a good idea for fending off those winter respiratory infections!
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Great information for both kids and adults from Whole Child Wellness. Keep your immune system strong and you will be less likely to have a problem with H1N1 and other strains of the flu and colds over the winter season.
In order to keep your immune system healthy there are many things you can do:
- Do your best to achieve 8-9 hours of sleep each night. The research states that it is ideal to go to bed around 10 pm and wake up at 6 am.
- Be careful of too many carbohydrates in the diet, especially processed carbs like most cereals, breads, chips, packaged foods and sugar. 75 grams of carbohydrates have been shown to reduce the immune system response 50% for 2.5 hours.
- Eat every 2-3 hours and balance all meals with a protein and fat to balance blood sugar levels throughout the day. This will support the adrenal glands and prevent their overuse.
- Reduce as many conflicts as possible and complete relationships that are incomplete. Many have way too much mental/emotional stress on their plate. Bad relationships take up your energy which takes away from fighting invaders.
For more information on how to keep your immune system healthy and to achieve a happy, healthy life, see the Optimal Fitness Foundation Principles.
For a FREE consultation on how to improve your immune system and to get on a stress reducing program complete the form below:
In health & fitness,
Brien
Brien Shamp BS CSCS CMT CHEK NLC II
CEO Optimal Fitness Lifestyle Center
650-654-4604 (w)
650-654-4108 (f)
