As I write, this, about one hundred and fifty people in Mexico have been reported as having died of a new strain of swine flu. In the United States, forty people have been identified as having contracted the illness.
The New and Improved Swine Flu
As I write, this, about one hundred and fifty people in Mexico have been reported as having died of a new strain of swine flu. In the United States, forty people have been identified as having contracted the illness, with only one hospitalization. The World Health Organization raised its alert status to level 4 on a scale of one to six, with 6 representing full-blown pandemic.
It should be said that the regular old flu tends to kill between three and four thousand people in an average flu season. So why all the fuss about a virus that is taking far fewer lives? For one, swine flu is normally a virus affecting pigs, with only one or two cases of human infection in an average year. It is not usually transmitted from human to human, but in this case the virus is making an exception. Secondly, a somewhat similar H1N1 strain caused the 1918 flu pandemic, which claimed millions of lives.
It is very difficult to determine, from the data that are presently available to the public, how dangerous this flu strain is. A “normal” flu kills about 1 out of every thousand people who contract it—mostly the elderly, infants, or people with compromised immune systems. The 1918 pandemic killed perhaps one out of every forty people. In contrast to regular old flu, it was especially deadly to people with healthy immune systems. This is because it triggered a strong immune response in the lungs, which lead to excessive inflammation of the lung tissue, resulting in suffocation. Because a stronger immune system means a stronger inflammatory response in this case, young and healthy people were at a greater risk. It is unclear whether the new swine flu has this ability.
In this sort of situation, everyone lacks experience. The best we can do is treat based on what we know of the condition and how we have treated other people in similar situations. People infected with the new swine flu are presenting with mostly the same symptoms as people with other flu viruses. These include fever, lethargy, coughing, lack of appetite or nausea, and sometimes diarrhea. Treatment focuses on decreasing viral activity and managing symptoms—especially the potentially dangerous respiratory symptoms.
Fevers can be managed by a number of natural methods. One remedy that I have used extensively for fevers is a traditional Turkish preparation called pekmez, which is made from mulberries. I have never used it for someone with swine flu, but I have used it for people, including children, with a variety of other types of fevers, including influenza, malaria, and unknown viruses. Mulberries are rich in antioxidants, which might also help with the potential for inflammation in the lungs.
Salicylate containing herbs, such as willow bark and meadowsweet, can also be helpful in managing fevers, as can application of water to the skin, with a cold compress.
Inflammation of the lungs, and the buildup of fluid that sometimes goes with it, is probably the deadliest part of any respiratory infection. Trillium root is an example of a strongly anti-inflammatory herb containing naturally occurring plant steroids. In my own child, who has respiratory issues that were once severe, I found this herb to be comparable in effect to prescription steroids, but with far milder side effects. This experience has been consistent in my clinical practice with other people who have taken it. Unfortunately, because it is a slow growing plant with a selective habitat, great care must be taken not to overharvest this plant., and it would probably be unsuitable for use in a large population.
In cases where it is appropriate, a decongestant—one that works by mimicking the effects of or promoting the release of adrenaline—might help to reduce the buildup of fluid in the respiratory system. Examples could include black tea, bitter orange, or (if working with professional guidance) Sidda cordifolia.
At present, there is considerable debate about whether an immune-stimulating herb, such as Echinacea, would be helpful in this type of scenario. The answer all comes down to whether or not this particular swine flu strain causes the above-mentioned destructive immune response, and right now no one knows for sure.
When working with people who have infectious diseases, my own preference is to take Usnea extract. Usnea contains powerful antiviral substances, anti-inflammatory substances, and immune-modulating substances which all work together to keep the body healthy, without the potential for triggering a flare-up of immune activity.
With all the media attention that the current outbreak of swine flu is receiving, it is important to remember that people are mostly recovering from the illness, even without treatment. There are many questions being raised, many good guesses being put forward, but few solid answers.
