Have you or someone you know got Swine Flu? Would you know if they had it? Would you know what to do about it? You would have to be living on the moon to not have heard about Swine Flu, this potentially fatal flu has seen people panic, become fearful, paranoid and more. The best course of action to take of course is to get to know about it, become familiar (theoretically of course) with the flu's symptoms.
Symptoms Of Swine Flu
We know that flu (or influenza is the generic name) and that there are variants. The good news however is that broadly speaking all flu's exhibit similar symptoms. Well, I say good news, because it can be bad news too, or in the very least makes differentiation difficult.
Common to all flu's is fever, often with a body temperature exceeding 100 Fahrenheit or 38 Celsius. Other common symptoms include fatigue, a feeling of weakness, loss of appetite and possibly coughing and most certainly a loss of motivation to do simple tasks.
Other symptoms of swine flu can be; sore throat, diarrhea, sickness and nasal excretion.
You see, I told you the symptoms are similar to "regular flu" , the bottom line and most prudent action is to get you or anyone you know who has swine flu symptoms is to get checked out by a doctor.
At the first sign of symptoms you really must get a medical professional's opinion, write the symptoms down a piece of paper, in addition to when they first appeared. It's imperative you do so as if pneumonia sets in you could be in real trouble - Pneumonia is a complication you just do not want.
To learn more about the symptoms of swine flu and other Swine Flu Facts you really should read the latest guide which tells you The Truth about swine flu, information you won't get from the press or politicians but nevertheless it's info you NEED to know.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Tips to Help You Avoid Getting Swine Flu
Swine flu is now prevalent in many countries. I first heard of the flu due to the high cases of fatalities in Mexico. When the flu starting spreading to other countries including the UK, obviously everyone felt this was a life and death illness. Although there have been a few cases of people dying from swine flu, these cases seems to be rare in the UK.
The majority of people who get swine flu will only ever have a very mild case. According to my local hospital they state that many people who actually get the virus in the UK don't even know they have it! However, there are ways to protect your family from the illness, advice has been:
1. Washing hands frequently with soap and water. This will reduce the spread of the virus.
2. Clean surfaces such as door handles often. No special agent needs to be used, just your normal cleaning product.
3. Always good advice to cover your nose and mouth if you cough or sneeze, keep tissues to hand and use this.
4. Any tissues used throw in the bin straight away.
The swine flu bug is delicate thus will be killed by washing with soapy water. The bug cannot breed on dry surfaces. So clean surfaces and door handles regularly.
If your child does get the swine flu, they may experience symptoms such as fever, fatigue, sore throat, chills, muscle pain, headaches etc. In fact, the symptoms are very similar to normal flu. You will obviously take your child to your doctor who may give them an antiviral medication. The doctor will also advise you to keep your child at home until the medication is finished, to contain the spread of the virus.
Remember in the UK you can also call a special Swine Flu Information line. In other countries there may well be a similar system set up, please get further advice from your medical practitioner.
The majority of people who get swine flu will only ever have a very mild case. According to my local hospital they state that many people who actually get the virus in the UK don't even know they have it! However, there are ways to protect your family from the illness, advice has been:
1. Washing hands frequently with soap and water. This will reduce the spread of the virus.
2. Clean surfaces such as door handles often. No special agent needs to be used, just your normal cleaning product.
3. Always good advice to cover your nose and mouth if you cough or sneeze, keep tissues to hand and use this.
4. Any tissues used throw in the bin straight away.
The swine flu bug is delicate thus will be killed by washing with soapy water. The bug cannot breed on dry surfaces. So clean surfaces and door handles regularly.
If your child does get the swine flu, they may experience symptoms such as fever, fatigue, sore throat, chills, muscle pain, headaches etc. In fact, the symptoms are very similar to normal flu. You will obviously take your child to your doctor who may give them an antiviral medication. The doctor will also advise you to keep your child at home until the medication is finished, to contain the spread of the virus.
Remember in the UK you can also call a special Swine Flu Information line. In other countries there may well be a similar system set up, please get further advice from your medical practitioner.
A-H1N1 Swine Flu Likely Originated in US Lab
When the first reported cases of A/H1N1 swine flu emerged in April 2009, it was widely believed that the novel influenza strain originated in Mexico. By late June, when evidence failed to materialize confirming a Mexican origin, a new theory hypothesized that A/H1N1 originated in Asia and was transported unintentionally via an unsuspecting human carrier to North America. This though, probably is not the case. Instead it is likely, though not confirmed, that A/H1N1, is a genetically engineered creation that originated in the United States, specifically in a lab in Madison, Wisconsin that had accidentally escaped through some kind of contamination.
The evidence for this scenario is compelling:
1. Prior to the A/H1N1 outbreak, The Institute for Molecular Virology (IMV) located in Bock Labs (administered by the University of Wisconsin-Madison) had been involved in a transmission capability study for vaccine production. This study involved reverse genetic engineering of a tissue specimen that had been extracted from a deceased Intuit woman who had succumbed to Spanish influenza that had killed up to 50 million people during the 1918-19 pandemic.
2. The current A/H1N1 version is a "highly unusual virus" never seen before that combines genetic material from North American human, avian, and swine flus and Eurasian swine flu.[1] Such a combination is unprecedented having never been found in pigs, birds, or people per The Associated Press, and likely improbable to have emerged naturally. When the fact that no close relatives of the current strain exist and IMV's mission - to conduct virology research and training at a molecular level - is taken into account, creation through artificial genetic engineering offers the best explanation.
3. Retired Australian researcher Adrian Gibbs, who played a leading role in the development of Tamiflu®, a highly-effective anti-flu drug, theorized on May 12, 2009 that the new strain of A/H1N1 likely escaped from a laboratory setting because it exhibited characteristics "of having undergone 'accelerated evolution' such as what happens when flu viruses try to adapt to growth in eggs" during vaccine studies.[2] Although The World Health Organization (WHO) swiftly ruled out Mr. Gibbs' theory a day later, it is implausible that sufficient research to ascertain a conclusion could be completed in only 24 hours.
4. When A/H1N1's existence had been firmly established in the United States by May 10, 2009, Wisconsin and Illinois had nearly a third of the country's cases. Since then Wisconsin has consistently led the nation despite its population of 5,627,967 based on July 2008 estimates versus the larger states - California, Texas, New York, Illinois and even Michigan with July 2008 populations of 36,755,666, 24,326,974, 19,490,297, 12,901,563 and 10,003,422, respectively. By June 12, 2009 when dispersion had set in, Wisconsin and Illinois still accounted for more than a quarter of U.S. cases. Demographically speaking this disproportionate caseload makes little sense. However, when Madison, WI is viewed as the point of origin, the two-State caseload provides incontrovertible evidence of the virus' inception. When A/H1N1 likely escaped from IMV, it immediately impacted the city's environs and nearby locales including Illinois (since a sizeable number of Wisconsinites commute to that state each day) before spreading to Mexico (likely transmitted by a U.S. national since Granja Carroll hog farms located in La Gloria where the first case of A/H1N1 is believed to have occurred, is a subsidiary of American-based Smithfield Foods), other parts of the United States and ultimately much of the rest of the world.
Centers For Disease Control (CDC) Bulletins:
5/10/2009: Wisconsin: 357 Cases (14.1% of the national caseload); Illinois: 466 Cases (18.4% of the national caseload)
6/12/2009: Wisconsin: 3008 Cases (16.8% of the national caseload); Illinois: 1983 Cases (11.1% of the national caseload)
5. To date the A/H1N1 2009 pandemic version of swine flu has not been found to be endemic in global pig stocks discounting natural mutation and initial pig to human transmission theories. Furthermore, none of the pig stocks in Wisconsin have tested positive for the novel A/H1N1 strain that currently afflicts the world.
6. Statements and actions point to prior knowledge. As early as April 25, 2009 when the new A/H1N1 strain was officially detected in only 3 states (11 cases), a top CDC official, Dr. Anne Schuchat stated, "We do not think we can contain the spread of this virus." By April 28, 2009 Vice President Joseph Biden ruled out quarantining Mexico citing limited benefits since "the swine flu virus [had] already penetrated many states" (64 cases in 5 states). An immediate quarantine when news of the A/H1N1 outbreak in Mexico surfaced on April 23, 2009 likely was not implemented because the CDC and top U.S. government officials had already been alerted about the accidental escape from IMV and consequent unconfirmed and unreported infections. A quarantine made little sense since cases were rapidly evolving in the United States and because such a step would likely have drawn suspicion when such cases were subsequently confirmed and reported.
7. Samples of the new A/H1N1 virus were already present at the CDC prior to receipt of Mexican specimens. Per CDC virologist Ruben Donis in an interview conducted by Science Direct (published April 29, 2009) - the CDC had completed sequencing of the novel A/H1N1 strain two weeks earlier or by April 15, 2009 - three days before Mexican officials shipped swab samples to its Atlanta headquarters for testing.
Based on the compelling facts above, conclusive evidence exists that the outbreak of A/H1N1 swine flu that has led to the WHO's first pandemic declaration in 41 years, was created synthetically and likely can be traced back to IMV's lab in Madison, WI. As a result, the moderate risk based on A/H1N1's characteristics and potential threat especially to a generation that has never endured a pandemic and those with pre-existing medical conditions (asthma and other respiratory disorders, diabetes, heart problems, immune deficiency disorders, and pregnancy, to name a few) whose immune systems are ill-prepared or equipped to recognize and combat the novel strain, respectively, must be taken seriously. At the writing of this article, this is not being done (e.g. The New York City Department of Health stated on its website as late as June 25, 2009 - "Most cases of influenza-like illness do not need to be tested for H1N1" even though seasonal influenza has disappeared for the summer, failure to isolate suspected emergency room cases facilitating contagion, etc.). Continued failure to do so may result in between 1 million (based on a .25% mortality rate on existing WHO estimates that up to a third of the world's population may be infected) to 25 million or more deaths since people will be treated much further into the illness (after serious complications have developed) and/or if the virus mutates into a more lethal form resulting in a 1+% mortality rate that is already being exhibited in Argentina, a country that has just entered the winter season.
The evidence for this scenario is compelling:
1. Prior to the A/H1N1 outbreak, The Institute for Molecular Virology (IMV) located in Bock Labs (administered by the University of Wisconsin-Madison) had been involved in a transmission capability study for vaccine production. This study involved reverse genetic engineering of a tissue specimen that had been extracted from a deceased Intuit woman who had succumbed to Spanish influenza that had killed up to 50 million people during the 1918-19 pandemic.
2. The current A/H1N1 version is a "highly unusual virus" never seen before that combines genetic material from North American human, avian, and swine flus and Eurasian swine flu.[1] Such a combination is unprecedented having never been found in pigs, birds, or people per The Associated Press, and likely improbable to have emerged naturally. When the fact that no close relatives of the current strain exist and IMV's mission - to conduct virology research and training at a molecular level - is taken into account, creation through artificial genetic engineering offers the best explanation.
3. Retired Australian researcher Adrian Gibbs, who played a leading role in the development of Tamiflu®, a highly-effective anti-flu drug, theorized on May 12, 2009 that the new strain of A/H1N1 likely escaped from a laboratory setting because it exhibited characteristics "of having undergone 'accelerated evolution' such as what happens when flu viruses try to adapt to growth in eggs" during vaccine studies.[2] Although The World Health Organization (WHO) swiftly ruled out Mr. Gibbs' theory a day later, it is implausible that sufficient research to ascertain a conclusion could be completed in only 24 hours.
4. When A/H1N1's existence had been firmly established in the United States by May 10, 2009, Wisconsin and Illinois had nearly a third of the country's cases. Since then Wisconsin has consistently led the nation despite its population of 5,627,967 based on July 2008 estimates versus the larger states - California, Texas, New York, Illinois and even Michigan with July 2008 populations of 36,755,666, 24,326,974, 19,490,297, 12,901,563 and 10,003,422, respectively. By June 12, 2009 when dispersion had set in, Wisconsin and Illinois still accounted for more than a quarter of U.S. cases. Demographically speaking this disproportionate caseload makes little sense. However, when Madison, WI is viewed as the point of origin, the two-State caseload provides incontrovertible evidence of the virus' inception. When A/H1N1 likely escaped from IMV, it immediately impacted the city's environs and nearby locales including Illinois (since a sizeable number of Wisconsinites commute to that state each day) before spreading to Mexico (likely transmitted by a U.S. national since Granja Carroll hog farms located in La Gloria where the first case of A/H1N1 is believed to have occurred, is a subsidiary of American-based Smithfield Foods), other parts of the United States and ultimately much of the rest of the world.
Centers For Disease Control (CDC) Bulletins:
5/10/2009: Wisconsin: 357 Cases (14.1% of the national caseload); Illinois: 466 Cases (18.4% of the national caseload)
6/12/2009: Wisconsin: 3008 Cases (16.8% of the national caseload); Illinois: 1983 Cases (11.1% of the national caseload)
5. To date the A/H1N1 2009 pandemic version of swine flu has not been found to be endemic in global pig stocks discounting natural mutation and initial pig to human transmission theories. Furthermore, none of the pig stocks in Wisconsin have tested positive for the novel A/H1N1 strain that currently afflicts the world.
6. Statements and actions point to prior knowledge. As early as April 25, 2009 when the new A/H1N1 strain was officially detected in only 3 states (11 cases), a top CDC official, Dr. Anne Schuchat stated, "We do not think we can contain the spread of this virus." By April 28, 2009 Vice President Joseph Biden ruled out quarantining Mexico citing limited benefits since "the swine flu virus [had] already penetrated many states" (64 cases in 5 states). An immediate quarantine when news of the A/H1N1 outbreak in Mexico surfaced on April 23, 2009 likely was not implemented because the CDC and top U.S. government officials had already been alerted about the accidental escape from IMV and consequent unconfirmed and unreported infections. A quarantine made little sense since cases were rapidly evolving in the United States and because such a step would likely have drawn suspicion when such cases were subsequently confirmed and reported.
7. Samples of the new A/H1N1 virus were already present at the CDC prior to receipt of Mexican specimens. Per CDC virologist Ruben Donis in an interview conducted by Science Direct (published April 29, 2009) - the CDC had completed sequencing of the novel A/H1N1 strain two weeks earlier or by April 15, 2009 - three days before Mexican officials shipped swab samples to its Atlanta headquarters for testing.
Based on the compelling facts above, conclusive evidence exists that the outbreak of A/H1N1 swine flu that has led to the WHO's first pandemic declaration in 41 years, was created synthetically and likely can be traced back to IMV's lab in Madison, WI. As a result, the moderate risk based on A/H1N1's characteristics and potential threat especially to a generation that has never endured a pandemic and those with pre-existing medical conditions (asthma and other respiratory disorders, diabetes, heart problems, immune deficiency disorders, and pregnancy, to name a few) whose immune systems are ill-prepared or equipped to recognize and combat the novel strain, respectively, must be taken seriously. At the writing of this article, this is not being done (e.g. The New York City Department of Health stated on its website as late as June 25, 2009 - "Most cases of influenza-like illness do not need to be tested for H1N1" even though seasonal influenza has disappeared for the summer, failure to isolate suspected emergency room cases facilitating contagion, etc.). Continued failure to do so may result in between 1 million (based on a .25% mortality rate on existing WHO estimates that up to a third of the world's population may be infected) to 25 million or more deaths since people will be treated much further into the illness (after serious complications have developed) and/or if the virus mutates into a more lethal form resulting in a 1+% mortality rate that is already being exhibited in Argentina, a country that has just entered the winter season.
What is Swine Flu - H1N1 Virus?
Swine flu, now called H1N1 influenza A, is a type of flu virus. It is a new strain of flu that has just recently been affecting people. It is not caught from pigs or by eating pork. It is a human influenza virus and is being spread by people. It is thought to be a combination of three different flu viruses - swine flu, bird flu and human flu. The new strain is extremely contagious and is quickly spreading across the globe.
H1N1 is different from other strains of influenza. This particular strain of influenza has not been previously exposed to humans before so there are no built up immunities to it. This is what makes it so serious. At the current time there is no preventative drug that you can take in order to avoid getting it. That is why people who are elderly, very young or those who have compromised immune systems must be extremely careful to avoid getting the flu.
Just how dangerous it will be remains to be seen. We are just beginning to see the start of the cases in the United States. It is thought to have originated in Mexico but has since spread globally. The worst cases of it seem to be in Mexico, likely because many people were unaware of the dangers of the flu and did not seek immediate medical treatment.
It was renamed H1N1 influenza A to avoid people making a connection to pigs. This is similar in some ways to the flu that hit the world decades ago. However it is proving to be more serious. The outbreak is becoming serious because nobody has any immunity to this particular strain of influenza. It is estimated that approximately 1 in 4 people who come into contact with swine flu with contract it.
The swine flu has similar symptoms to standard seasonal flu bugs. Swine flu is characterized by a high fever at first and extreme fatigue along with muscle aches. There are also typical cold symptoms that accompany the swine flu including a cough and a sore throat and stuffy nose. Some people additionally have reported nausea or vomiting and diarrhea. The severity of the symptoms is what leads most doctors to consider a diagnosis of swine flu.
Anyone who has the symptoms should seek medical attention right away. Those who get immediate treatment are most likely going to make a full recovery. Doctors take a nose and throat swab sample to send to the lab for testing. The results will be returned within several days. The treatment is a drug called Tamiflu. The doctor will prescribe Tamiflu if it is needed. Most people will get over the swine flu within just a few days. Once you have had swine flu your body will have an immunity from this particular strain in the future.
H1N1 is different from other strains of influenza. This particular strain of influenza has not been previously exposed to humans before so there are no built up immunities to it. This is what makes it so serious. At the current time there is no preventative drug that you can take in order to avoid getting it. That is why people who are elderly, very young or those who have compromised immune systems must be extremely careful to avoid getting the flu.
Just how dangerous it will be remains to be seen. We are just beginning to see the start of the cases in the United States. It is thought to have originated in Mexico but has since spread globally. The worst cases of it seem to be in Mexico, likely because many people were unaware of the dangers of the flu and did not seek immediate medical treatment.
It was renamed H1N1 influenza A to avoid people making a connection to pigs. This is similar in some ways to the flu that hit the world decades ago. However it is proving to be more serious. The outbreak is becoming serious because nobody has any immunity to this particular strain of influenza. It is estimated that approximately 1 in 4 people who come into contact with swine flu with contract it.
The swine flu has similar symptoms to standard seasonal flu bugs. Swine flu is characterized by a high fever at first and extreme fatigue along with muscle aches. There are also typical cold symptoms that accompany the swine flu including a cough and a sore throat and stuffy nose. Some people additionally have reported nausea or vomiting and diarrhea. The severity of the symptoms is what leads most doctors to consider a diagnosis of swine flu.
Anyone who has the symptoms should seek medical attention right away. Those who get immediate treatment are most likely going to make a full recovery. Doctors take a nose and throat swab sample to send to the lab for testing. The results will be returned within several days. The treatment is a drug called Tamiflu. The doctor will prescribe Tamiflu if it is needed. Most people will get over the swine flu within just a few days. Once you have had swine flu your body will have an immunity from this particular strain in the future.
Swine Flu - Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment
Swine flu (swine influenza A) is a respiratory disease caused by influenza viruses that usually infect the respiratory tract of pigs. Swine flu viruses have the capacity to mutate so that they are easily transmissible among humans. The 2009 outbreak is due to infection with the H1N1 virus and was first observed in Mexico. Symptoms in humans are similar to most influenza infections: fever, cough, nasal secretions, fatigue, headache, and gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea. Two antiviral agents, Zanamivir and Oseltamivir are known to be effective in this condition, if taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. This infection has appeared to pose a threat to young children and adults, and those with an immunocompromised status.
The Ayurvedic treatment of swine flu is aimed at treating the symptoms, controlling the virus, and preventing complications by boosting the immune status of the body. Medicines like Tribhuvan-Kirti-Ras, Sitopaladi-Churna, Triphal-Guggulu, Maha-Sudarshan-Churna, Shwas-Kuthar-Ras, Laxmi-Narayan-Ras, Sut-Shekhar-Ras and Samshamani-Vati can be used to treat the flu-like symptoms of fever, bodyache and cough. Herbal medicines like Chirayta (Swertia chirata), Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Pippali (Piper longum), Vishwa (Zinziber officinalis), Haridra (Curcuma longa), Som (Ephedra vulgaris), Dhatura (Dhatura fastiosa) and Kantakari (Solanum xanthocarpum) can also be used for this purpose. Gastro-intestinal symptoms can be treated using medicines like Panchamrut-Parpati, Kutaj-Parpati, Kutaj-Ghan-Vati, Laghu-Sutshekhar-Ras and herbal medicines like Vishwa, Kutaj (Holarrhina antidysentrica), Musta (Cyperus rotundus) and Bilva (Aegle marmelos).
Herbal medicines with antiviral activity can be used to prevent or reduce the effects of the viral infection. These medicines include Yashtimadhuk (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Tulsi, Bhumiamalaki (Phyllanthus niruri), Haridra, Daruharidra (Berberis aristata), Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa), Chitrak (Plumbago zeylanica) and Amalaki (Emblica officinalis). In the case of swine flu, the earlier these medicines are started, the better the therapeutic effect.
It is also important to boost the immune status of the body in order to bring about a faster recovery and prevent complications. This can be done by using medicines like Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Bala (Sida cordifolia), Naagbala (Grewia hirsuta), Abhrak-Bhasma, Suvarna-Bhasma, Laghu-Malini-Vasant, Madhu-Malini-Vasant, Suvarna-Malini-Vasant and Suvarna-Parpati. These medicines can also be used for preventive purposes, both by the normal, unaffected population and also by those who are at special risk; for example, close contacts of affected individuals, and medical and para-medical staff.
The herbal medicine called Pippali has a special therapeutic affinity for the mucosa of the respiratory tract. It can reduce inflammation, swelling and excessive secretions in the lungs, throat and nose. In addition, it also normalizes the damage done to the mucosal lining due to acute and chronic disease. In acute disease of the respiratory tract, it is usually given in small doses along with other medicines. In chronic diseases, it is given in progressively increasing doses till tolerance, or till a pre-determined dose, and then reduced gradually. This tonifying medication is known as "Vardhmaan-Pippali-Rasayan". This can be judiciously used to prevent serious damage due to swine flu infection, or as a preventive medication in individuals at risk.
It is important to take adequate preventive measures to keep the swine flu infection from spreading. Symptomatic individuals should observe voluntary quarantine for a period of seven to fourteen days, which is usually the time the contagious stage lasts. Simple measures like using tissue paper for nasal secretions, and disposing off these, can significantly reduce the risk of transmission to others.
Dr. A. A. Mundewadi is Chief Ayurvedic Physician at Mundewadi Ayurvedic Clinic based at Thane, Maharashtra, India. He is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com
The online clinic offers Ayurvedic treatment for all chronic and refractory health problems. Dr. A. A. Mundewadi uses high quality herbal extracts in tablet form, which are easy to take, effective and safe for long-term use.
Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, B.A.M.S., has clinical experience of 25 years and clinical research experience of 12 years. He has conducted extensive research in HIV infection, Schizophrenia and many other chronic diseases.
The Ayurvedic treatment of swine flu is aimed at treating the symptoms, controlling the virus, and preventing complications by boosting the immune status of the body. Medicines like Tribhuvan-Kirti-Ras, Sitopaladi-Churna, Triphal-Guggulu, Maha-Sudarshan-Churna, Shwas-Kuthar-Ras, Laxmi-Narayan-Ras, Sut-Shekhar-Ras and Samshamani-Vati can be used to treat the flu-like symptoms of fever, bodyache and cough. Herbal medicines like Chirayta (Swertia chirata), Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Pippali (Piper longum), Vishwa (Zinziber officinalis), Haridra (Curcuma longa), Som (Ephedra vulgaris), Dhatura (Dhatura fastiosa) and Kantakari (Solanum xanthocarpum) can also be used for this purpose. Gastro-intestinal symptoms can be treated using medicines like Panchamrut-Parpati, Kutaj-Parpati, Kutaj-Ghan-Vati, Laghu-Sutshekhar-Ras and herbal medicines like Vishwa, Kutaj (Holarrhina antidysentrica), Musta (Cyperus rotundus) and Bilva (Aegle marmelos).
Herbal medicines with antiviral activity can be used to prevent or reduce the effects of the viral infection. These medicines include Yashtimadhuk (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Tulsi, Bhumiamalaki (Phyllanthus niruri), Haridra, Daruharidra (Berberis aristata), Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa), Chitrak (Plumbago zeylanica) and Amalaki (Emblica officinalis). In the case of swine flu, the earlier these medicines are started, the better the therapeutic effect.
It is also important to boost the immune status of the body in order to bring about a faster recovery and prevent complications. This can be done by using medicines like Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Bala (Sida cordifolia), Naagbala (Grewia hirsuta), Abhrak-Bhasma, Suvarna-Bhasma, Laghu-Malini-Vasant, Madhu-Malini-Vasant, Suvarna-Malini-Vasant and Suvarna-Parpati. These medicines can also be used for preventive purposes, both by the normal, unaffected population and also by those who are at special risk; for example, close contacts of affected individuals, and medical and para-medical staff.
The herbal medicine called Pippali has a special therapeutic affinity for the mucosa of the respiratory tract. It can reduce inflammation, swelling and excessive secretions in the lungs, throat and nose. In addition, it also normalizes the damage done to the mucosal lining due to acute and chronic disease. In acute disease of the respiratory tract, it is usually given in small doses along with other medicines. In chronic diseases, it is given in progressively increasing doses till tolerance, or till a pre-determined dose, and then reduced gradually. This tonifying medication is known as "Vardhmaan-Pippali-Rasayan". This can be judiciously used to prevent serious damage due to swine flu infection, or as a preventive medication in individuals at risk.
It is important to take adequate preventive measures to keep the swine flu infection from spreading. Symptomatic individuals should observe voluntary quarantine for a period of seven to fourteen days, which is usually the time the contagious stage lasts. Simple measures like using tissue paper for nasal secretions, and disposing off these, can significantly reduce the risk of transmission to others.
Dr. A. A. Mundewadi is Chief Ayurvedic Physician at Mundewadi Ayurvedic Clinic based at Thane, Maharashtra, India. He is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com
The online clinic offers Ayurvedic treatment for all chronic and refractory health problems. Dr. A. A. Mundewadi uses high quality herbal extracts in tablet form, which are easy to take, effective and safe for long-term use.
Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, B.A.M.S., has clinical experience of 25 years and clinical research experience of 12 years. He has conducted extensive research in HIV infection, Schizophrenia and many other chronic diseases.
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