Swine Flu Basics: 10 Things You Need to Know This Fall

Crabtownboy · Oct 1, 2009

From the Baltimore Sun

1. No cause for panic.

So far, swine flu isn't much more threatening than regular seasonal flu.

During the few months of this new flu's existence, hospitalizations and deaths from it seem to be lower than the average seen for seasonal flu, and the virus hasn't dramatically mutated. That's what health officials have observed in the Southern Hemisphere where flu season is now winding down.

Still, more people are susceptible to swine flu and U.S. health officials are worried because it hung in so firmly here during the summer — a time of year the flu usually goes away.

2. Virus tougher on some.

Swine flu is more of a threat to certain groups — children under 2, pregnant women, people with health problems like asthma, diabetes and heart disease. Teens and young adults are also more vulnerable to swine flu.

Ordinary, seasonal flu hits older people the hardest, but not swine flu. Scientists think older people may have some immunity from exposure years earlier to viruses similar to swine flu.

3. Wash your hands often and long.

Like seasonal flu, swine flu spreads through the coughs and sneezes of people who are sick. Emphasize to children that they should wash with soap and water long enough to finish singing the alphabet song, "Now I know my ABC's..." Also use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

4. Get the kids vaccinated.

These groups should be first in line for swine flu shots, especially if vaccine supplies are limited — people 6 months to 24 years old, pregnant women, health care workers.

Also a priority: Parents and caregivers of infants, people with those high-risk medical conditions previously noted.

5. Get your shots early.

Millions of swine flu shots should be available by October. If you are in one of the priority groups, try to get your shot as early as possible.

Check with your doctor or local or state health department about where to do this. Many children should be able to get vaccinated at school. Permission forms will be sent home in advance.

6. Immunity takes awhile.

7. Vaccines are being tested.

Health officials presume the swine flu vaccine is safe and effective, but they're testing it to make sure.

The federal government has begun studies in eight cities across the country to assess its effectiveness and figure out the best dose. Vaccine makers are doing their own tests as well.

8. Help! Surrounded by swine flu.

If an outbreak of swine flu hits your area before you're vaccinated, be extra cautious.

Stay away from public gathering places like malls, sports events and churches. Try to keep your distance from people in general. Keep washing those hands and keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth.

9. What if you get sick?

If you have other health problems or are pregnant and develop flu-like symptoms, call your doctor right away. You may be prescribed Tamiflu or Relenza. These drugs can reduce the severity of swine flu if taken right after symptoms start.

If you develop breathing problems (rapid breathing for kids), pain in your chest, constant vomiting or a fever that keeps rising, go to an emergency room.

Most people, though, should just stay home and rest. Cough into your elbow or shoulder. Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever breaks. Fluids and pain relievers like Tylenol can help with achiness and fever. Always check with a doctor before giving children any medicines. Adult cold and flu remedies are not for them.

10. No swine flu from barbecue.

You can't catch swine flu from pork — or poultry either (even though it recently turned up in turkeys in Chile). Swine flu is not spread by handling meat, whether it's raw or cooked.

Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
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annsni · Oct 1, 2009

A couple of other things that a friend of mine, who's a master herbalist has said:

Do NOT take echinacea for this flu. It seems there is some sort of big immune response 3-5 days into the flu that can either be good (fighting the flu) or bad (actually causing a bad inflamation of the lungs - which is what is sending people into the hospital) and by using echinacea, which boosts the immune system, you're more likely to get the "bad" reaction - an over-reaction.

Don't listen to the "no fever for 24 hours and you can go back to normal" thing. Because your body has been fighting hard, it's best to give yourself a few extra days after your fever breaks. Many that I know have ended up with pneumonia from this and every single one of them pushed to get back to normal life/work within a day of the fever breaking. It's not worth getting even sicker so stay out an extra two days and rest and recover.

KenH · Oct 1, 2009

annsni said: ↑

Do NOT take echinacea for this flu.
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I take echinacea. Do you have a link about this? I would like some more information about that.

annsni · Oct 1, 2009

KenH said: ↑

I take echinacea. Do you have a link about this? I would like some more information about that.
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Here's what she has to say. I don't have links but just her info.

I have been researching this for several months so I could have some answers for people.
the history of the flu is scary because it is much like the spanish flu in the early 1900's.
However, the vax in the past (1976 swine flu) caused Guillain Barre Syndrome in SOME individuals, and these people were in their early 20"s, not the at risk ages.
The result of the GBS was becoming paraplegic in many of these young adults.

So they have had time to perfect this vax, however it is still unknown what the side effects are so keep that in mind.
Also, with the 76 flu, there were 25 deaths from the vax
zoom to now.....
The best way to prevent this is really just to have a strong immune system in hopes to overcome this thing. hand washing is super important. Which most of us do anyway.

Supplements (and most of you know I am not huge on them, but I think they have a good place for many situations and this is one of them)
Please understand I come from an herbalist perspective -this is not the ONLY way to be strong and get through it, but this is one natural way.

Prevention
From at least October-March which is height of flu season be sure you get these nutrients each day to have a strong immune system .

Zinc 20 mg
Vitamin A unless you are vegan, take cod liver oil (this builds good cells at the same time)
or 1000 IU retinol or 10, 25000 IU Beta Carotene

Vitamin C 500 mg to 1 gram

Vitamin E 100 IU

Selenium 200 mcg

Omega 3's again if you take cod liver oil you will get the omegas and the vitamin a

All of these nutrients have been defieicient in large portions of the population.

VITAMIN D
Plant foods will not provide this nor will sunlight in winter provide all that we need due to the place in the sky sun is and our short days.
SO, for lung health and all around well being emotionally
2000 IU is recommended

Double this if you have asthma.

IF YOU ARE EXPOSED TO FLU (of any kind)

herbally you can begin to take
BONESET tincture 10-12 drops twice per day up to 4 times per day
ELDER tincture the same either flower or berry

Or at the health food store they have Sambucol. Take half the normal dose for prevention.

If you do end up getting the flu, take more of both herbs to help you get through it far quicker.
You will have milder symptoms and the fever will leave quicker.

REST- Ok in study after study, the one thing that predicted the survival with patients was being able to rest an entire week.

DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT take immune stimulants like echinacea.

Cytokine storms can happen during the week even if the patient feels better on day 3, 4 or 5. This wave of inflammation is often the killer in those that do not survive the flu.
herbs that promote phagocytosis and increase the white blood cells somehow trigger this cytokine storm. SO, if you DO get the flu...echinacea is completely out of the picture, ok.

Those that have boneset or elder berries around right now, it would help to get some, if you cannot make tincture, dry them and make tea.
Elder berries need to be cooked for most species so add water over them to barely cover and simmer 20 minutes or so while squishing, Strain and keep the juice. You can freeze this.

Please be sure you can ID the plant exactly, otherwise get some herbs at the health food store.
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annsni · Oct 1, 2009

She also made this post which has some other information as well as reiterating some of the same:

So first thing I think of is KEEP WARM
I have noticed that in many people the neck in the gateway to alot of issues like sore throat and respiratory issues.
So wear scarves or turtlenecks to keep that weak area strengthened.

Rest....please sleep! If sleeplessness is an issue, do not drink caffeine after noon and try calming teas like chamomile, lemonbalm, or more kick butt valerian.
take warm epsom salt baths at night.

Eat well. Yeah, yeah, this seems to be the bandwagon but it is so true. You need protein, and veggies, fruits and less carbs that you might think if you are stuck on patterns or weight gain, health issues like pcos or pms, and digestive complaints like excess gas.
Often our dietary habits cause some of our problems (obviously not all).
I am a "moderate", meaning I do not tell my clients to follow rules unless I absolutely see something that is damaging by their habits.
I personally feel hunter gatherer eating is best for me, but yes, on occassion I east Mcdonalds or a pizza at the chain restaurant. But very seldom or I have health issues.
I have seen very healthy vegan and vegetarian people as well that learned to meet their nutritional needs, so follow your body and its cues and include greens if you can tolerate. They hold so many nutrients we are deficient in!!!

Add to your food intake garlic and onions. They are so beneficial in killing bacteria and invaders and aid the heart and circulatory system as well (especially garlic)

Something you can make at home that is really versatile and delicious is a garlic vinegar.
Peel enough garlic to fill a mason jar. Bruise each clove to release its components and pour apple cider vinegar over the top and allow to steep on a counter that does not get direct sunlight for 6 weeks (or else in your pantry)
Use a plastic lid or cover your jar with saran wrap or wax paper before screwing on the lid to prevent corrosion.

Your vinegar may turn green from that little thing in the middle that shoots leaves up in the spring.
It is totally fine.

You can use this vinegar for marinade, salad dressing, or take by the TBSP full when you start feeling bad.
Add to honey if your kids wont take it.

Here is a garlic post on my old blog if you want to read it
Blessings of an Herbwyfe: The Pungent Powerful Medicine of Garlic

At first symptoms of anything, I like to begin to assist my body to heal.
If you suspect a cold or flu, this tea can be a wonderful help and even better, sometimes it will cause something like a cold or flu to not take hold.
grate 1 inch fresh ginger
add 3-4 Tbsp lemon juice
and 3 tbsp honey
to a teapot (or thermos which will keep it hot for a long time)

Then pour boiled water over it and let it steep 20 minutes.
You get vitamin c, immune stimulation, phytochemicals and will warm the body and get you sweating.

cayenne pepper sprinkled in your boots will keep your feet want and cayenne is a great circulatory system herb. If anyone you know has had a heart attack, administering a bit of cayenne while waiting for 911 might keep them alive.

Remember your warming herbs in fall and winter like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, pepper, horseradish.
Avoid salads, fish and bananas and cooling foods if you have a hard time staying warm.

horseradish or hot mustard is great for aiding the removal of phlegm or clearing sinus.
An herbal steam with chamomile, lavender, rosemary or oregano/monarda can also help releive sinus pressure. Do like you do when steaming your face, by putting a towel over your head and breathing in the steam vapors. It really helps!

Sore throats can sometimes benefit from honey alone.

Mucilage plants are super for soothing the pain of hot inflamed mucus membranes. At this point, using something liek cayenne or jalepeno is not recommended because adding something hot on top of something hot is going to be incredibly irritating.
We use demulcents, things with mucilage to coat and soothe.
Typical herbs for this are slippery elm and marshmallow root or leaf.
I eat the flowers every day to aid in my dry respiratory passages, but in winter this will not be available.
making tea with root or even dried leaves will help or eat okra in your soup

Remember when using roots in tea making (as well as seeds and barks)
You need to cover with water and simmer for at least 15 minutes and let steep another 15 minutes in most cases.

the water needs to break down the cell walls to release the medicinal components of the plant part. Since roots, barks,berries and seeds are hard, you need to simmer.
using delicate parts like flowers or leaves typically use
1 tsp dried herb..a cup of water poured over the top. Cover so the volatile oils which contain medicine, are not escaping through the steam.

They should not be simmered at all.

If teas are not an available choice for you, try a tincture.
Most tinctures are alcohol based. Alcohol like brandy, grain alcohol, scotch, are excellent at extracting medicinal constituents of plants. Alcohol also self preserves so the tincture is potent for years!

There are some tinctures made of glycerine, called glycerites, that can be used for someone who cannot tolerate alcohol. Glycerites are not as potent as tinctures because glycerine does not do as good of a job extracting as alcohol. the shelf life is short, so use within the season.

Vinegars are another non alcohol way to extract herbs. Again, not as long in shelf life,nor potency not as strong, but a great way to get herbal components into the diet or use for someone who cannot use alcohol.

SUGAR-sugar will weaken the immune system, whether table sugar, agave nectar, honey, alcohol, excess fruit, etc.... so PLEASE use sparingly and that alone will keep your immunity stronger.

STRESS-we all hear about this issue reaking havok on our bodies. Work through things, have some alone time if possible. get some sunshine and fresh air everyday if possible (I know the winter weather is not always sunny or conducive to walking or doing outdoor activities, but do the best you can)
Yoga is really helpful to alot of people. Meditation. Prayer. hiking, whatever makes you happy, do that form of self help. If you hate the gym, but love to ride your bike, chick the membership and ride your bike. If you hate the gym, you wont go more than likely. If you like to swim, you would be more apt to do that, so find an indoor pool or hot spring.

I recently heard a lecture by Paul Bergner. he shared some supplements he feels we should be taking especially with H1N1 being such a focal point right now.
In winter our vitamin d exposure is minimal in winter, even if outside all day, we cannot get enough in the US (maybe elsewhere too).

2000 IU per day vitamin D for average person
4000 IU is what many people take that live here in the mountains to maintain their health and happiness (fighting seasonal depression-mostly cabin fever as we do get a good amount of sun)

I am pretty sure the numbers are 20,000 IU we receive with 20 minutes exposure in sunlight between 10am-2pm. If that is correct, obviously we still need some sun exposure!!!!

ASTHMA-it is recommended 4000 IU for people that suffer asthma. Vitamin d helps the lungs.

I am recommending his recommendation to all my clients, family and friends.

Zinc 20 mg
Vitamin A 1000 IU retinol 10,000-25,000 IU or best choice Cod Liver Oil
Vitamin C 500 mg-1000mg
Vitamin E 100 IU
Selenium 200 mcg

Eating foods rich in these nutrients is a great idea as well as herbal teas.

Once I can sit down and research this, I will do another post to give the herb and food equivilents of each nutrient so you might add them to your diet.
For example, right now, we are doing rose hip tea for our vitamin c intake. fo rme to buy supplements for my family right now, it is a challenge financially. I dont want a bunch of crappy pills.
So, if you are pressed for money, I can share what I am doing.

I take cold liver oil for omega 3's and get vitamin a from it as well so I am good there.
(carlsons brand is reasonable and clean)

I am taking vitamin d once a day. My children take 8 drops of D3 tincture type childrens supplement.
A friend of mine traded several bottles of body balance supplement, so in that they get supplemental nutrition.
I focus on herbal and food helps alot.

Vitamin a can come from carrots, parsley, alfalfa, elderberry, raspberry leaf, grape leaf, dandelion, nori,nettles, violet, cayenne, etc....
So we hav fresh carrots at the local mountain farms right now, and then we do herb teas of nettles, alfalfa or raspberry leaf with other herbs that taste better.
I throw handfuls of nettles into soup pots at the end of cooking. Alfalfa the same (have not tried raspberry)

Alfalfa and nettles also aid depleted- vitamin d
raspberry leaf, alfalfa and rosehips- vitamin e

Vitamin e can come from nuts, seeds, and veggie oils. Some greens too.

Zinc-organ meats are high, meat, pumpkin seeds, seafood, cayenne, spirulina, garlic, bilberry, eyebright

Selenium-seafood, brazil nuts, yeast, whole grain, walnut, animal products of all kinds

Vitamin C- rosehips, cruciferous veggies, greens, strawberries, citrus,Alfalfa, burdock root, cayenne, chickweed, eyebright, fennel seed, fenugreek, hops, horsetail, kelp, peppermint, mullein, nettle, oat straw, paprika, parsley, pine needle, plantain, raspberry leaf, red clover,skullcap, violet leaves, yarrow, yellow dock.

I gotta run now and spend time with the kids, but hope this will at least help us with awareness of what to consume to aid our health
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KenH · Oct 1, 2009

Good information, Ann. I will print it off. Thanks for sharing. I appreciate it.

annsni · Oct 1, 2009

KenH said: ↑

Good information, Ann. I will print it off. Thanks for sharing. I appreciate it.
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Glad to share. I trust this woman. I get a number of things from her and she's not being extreme with her information IMO.

BTW - She's got some GREAT products. She's made our soaps for years and she has a wonderful chickweed and red clover salve that we use on EVERYTHING.

rbell · Oct 1, 2009

one good by-product:

The garlic stuff...you'll smell too bad to get close enough to anyone to infect them!

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