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BY Dr. Ariana Staruch, ND
This week there has emerged a new influenza A virus in Mexico which can be spread from person to person by contact. The virus contains genetic material from four different flu viruses – North American swine influenza, North American avian influenza, human influenza, and swine influenza virus typically found in Asia and Europe swine virus, a bird virus and a human virus. (Sharing of genetic material between viruses is common). The virus seems to have originated in Mexico and has spread throughout the country quickly, as well as to the US Europe and New Zealand. All the confirmed cases seem to have contacted the virus while traveling in Mexico and then brought it back to their country of origin. The first US cases occurred on April 17, 2009, in two children who resided in adjacent counties in southern California.
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Like all influenza viruses, swine flu viruses change constantly. Pigs can be infected by avian influenza and human influenza viruses as well as swine influenza viruses. At this time, there are four main influenza type A virus subtypes that have been isolated in pigs: H1N1, H1N2, H3N2, and H3N1. However, most of the recently isolated influenza viruses from pigs have been H1N1 viruses. The H1N1 swine flu viruses are antigenically very different from human influenza A H1N1 viruses and, therefore, vaccines for human seasonal flu would not provide protection from H1N1 swine flu viruses.
Since this is therefore a novel virus for human immune systems, we don’t have much natural immunity, thus allowing the virus to spread quickly. This is why there is worldwide concern over the possibility of this becoming a pandemic (A pandemic (from Greek pan all + demos people) is an epidemic of infectious disease that spreads through populations across a large region; for instance a continent, or even worldwide.( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandemic).
The following information is from the Centers for Disease Control
“The main way that influenza viruses are thought to spread is from person to person in respiratory droplets of coughs and sneezes. This can happen when droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person are propelled through the air and deposited on the mouth or nose of people nearby. Influenza viruses may also be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets on another person or an object and then touches their own mouth or nose (or someone else’s mouth or nose) before washing their hands.
“Swine influenza A virus infection (swine flu) can cause a wide range of symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. People with swine flu also can have vomiting and diarrhea. Like seasonal flu, swine flu in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe. Severe disease with pneumonia, respiratory failure and even death is possible with swine flu infection. Certain groups might be more likely to develop a severe illness from swine flu infection, such as persons with chronic medical conditions. Sometimes bacterial infections may occur at the same time as or after infection with influenza viruses and lead to pneumonias, ear infections, or sinus infections.
“Persons with swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection should be considered potentially contagious for up to 7 days following illness onset. Persons who continue to be ill longer than 7 days after illness onset should be considered potentially contagious until symptoms have resolved. Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods. The duration of infectiousness might vary by swine influenza A (H1N1) virus strain.
Non-hospitalized ill persons who are a confirmed or suspected case of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection are recommended to stay at home (voluntary isolation) for at least the first 7 days after illness onset except to seek medical care.
“No single action will provide complete protection, but an approach combining the following steps can help decrease the likelihood of transmission. These actions include frequent hand-washing, covering coughs, and having ill persons stay home, except to seek medical care, and minimize contact with others in the household. Additional measures that can limit transmission of a new influenza strain include voluntary home quarantine of members of households with confirmed or probable swine influenza cases, reduction of unnecessary social contacts, and avoidance whenever possible of crowded settings. When it is absolutely necessary to enter a crowded setting or to have close contact3 with persons who might be ill, the time spent in that setting should be as short as possible. If used correctly, facemasks and respirators may help reduce the risk of getting influenza.
“Facemasks should be considered for use by individuals who enter crowded settings, both to protect their nose and mouth from other people's coughs and to reduce the wearers' likelihood of coughing on others. For additional information go to http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/?s_cid=swineFlu_outbreak_internal_001.”
Common sense measures to avoid contracting the swine flu
Avoid crowds in areas where infections with the virus has been identified. If you need to be in these areas, consider wearing a face mask. Wash hands frequently, especially after shaking hands. Cover your mouth when you cough, and if you do become ill, stay at home.
Natural support options
Essential Oils: Many essential oils have antiviral effects. These can be used in diffusers, mists, or diluted on surfaces to decrease the possible transmission of the virus.
Herbs: A recent study showed that both ginseng and Salviae (Danshen) play a role against influenza virus as well as immuno-modulators during influenza virus infection. This may particularly important with novel pandemic virus infections as they tend to case the most severe disease in young healthy adults. This may be because the immune system cannot depend on memory cells from vaccination or previous disease, but must mount an all out defense. A pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 might be a mechanism in lung inflammation leading to death. (Vaccine. 2007 Jan 4;25(2):272-82. Epub 2006 Aug 10) Therefore immune stimulating herbs may not always be the best idea. For example elderberry (Sambucus nigra) has been shown to increase production of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-8) Balancing the immune system and decreasing inflammation may be a better option. Acalypha wilkesiana, Acanthopanax gracilistylus, Allium sativum, Ananus comosus, Cissampelos sympodialis, Coriolus versicolor, Curcuma longa, Echinacea purpurea, Grifola frondosa, Harpagophytum procumbens, Panax ginseng, Polygala tenuifolia, Poria cocos, Silybum marianum, Smilax glabra, Tinospora cordifolia, Uncaria tomentosa, and Withania somnifera demonstrate modulation of multiple cytokines. (Altern Med Rev. 2006 Jun;11(2):128-50)
Supplements
Low vitamin D levels have been linked to seasonal, epidemic influenza A. (Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2008 Oct;117(10):740-4) A yeast-based product (EpiCor, a dried Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentate) was compared to placebo to determine effects on the incidence and duration of cold and flu-like symptoms in healthy subjects recently vaccinated for seasonal influenza. Participants receiving the yeast-based product had significantly fewer symptoms and significantly shorter duration of symptoms when compared with subjects taking a placebo. (Urol Nurs. 2008 Feb;28(1):50-5)
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