Influenza

Western Diagnosis
Flu, grippe Acute viral respiratory illness with fever, coryza, cough, headache, malaise, infl. respiratory mucous membranes

**Etiology**
1. Influenza Viruses - orthomyxoviruses 2. Influenza A most frequent cause 3. Airborne droplets 4. Usually late fall and early winter

**Signs & Symptoms**
1. 2 day incubation 2. Abrupt onset - signs within 24 hours 3. Fever, chills, muscle aches, headache, photophobia, sore throat, cough, coryza, watery eyes, N, V 4. up to 3-5 days 5. complications usually respiratory of symptoms more than 5 days

**Diagnosis**
-nasopharyngeal washings or gargling to isolate virus -R/O common cold, bronchitis, pneumonia, mono

**Immunization**
1. Include prevalent strains 2. for cardiac and pulmonary disease, elderly, chronic diseases, pg if 3rd trimester during winter

Treatment
-Symptomatic -Vitamin D as good immunostimulant -Myer's cocktail (Vitamin C, Mg, Ca, B6, B12, B5, B-complex) -Green tea gargle can help prevent -Oral zinc -Elderberry extract

Recommended Minerals
-Copper

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================================================================================= IBIS:

definition:
An acute viral respiratory illness involving an influenza virus.

Etiology:
The disease is mostly seen in the winter. Most of the outbreaks and epidemics of flu are caused by the Influenza A virus, although illness caused by other viruses (rhinovirus, echovirus) may cause identical presentations and be called "the flu" even if the influenza virus was not at fault. Pandemics have occurred every 10-15 years since the Great Pandemic of 1918-19.

Nutrition:
eating principles: • eat as little as possible • increase foods rich in Vitamin C • short fast • eat foods that are easy to digest: barley gruel or barley juice • drink plenty of liquids: water, water and honey • support the Middle Warmer, nourish Wei (Protective) Righteous Qi

therapeutic foods: • lemon, orange, watercress

fresh juices: • watercress and apple with 1/4 tsp. pure cream of tartar (Jensen, p. 50) • lemon • orange • carrot and spinach (Walker, p. 143) • carrot, celery, spinach, and parsley (Walker, p. 143) • horseradish and lemon (Walker, p. 143)

therapeutic foods: » Wind-Cold: • ginger, garlic, mustard greens, grapefruit peel, cilantro, parsnip, scallions, cinnamon, basil, soupy rice porridge (Ni, p. 116)

specific remedies: • boil for 5 minutes garlic, ginger, green onion, basil, mustard or cinnamon, drink and go to bed (Ni, p. 116) • cilantro and ginger tea (Ni, p. 116) • scallion and basil tea (Ni, p. 116) • tea from mustard greens, cilantro, and green onion (Ni, p. 116) • tea from parsnip and ginger (Ni, p. 116) • miso soup with ginger and scallions • eat 2 or 3 cloves of raw garlic two to three times daily (Shefi)

therapeutic foods: » Wind-Heat: • mint, cabbage, chrysanthemum flowers, burdock root, cilantro, dandelion, apples, pears (Ni, p. 117)

specific remedies: • cabbage broth (Ni, p. 117) • cilantro and mint tea (Ni, p. 117) • mint, chrysanthemum, and dandelion tea (Ni, p. 117) • mint, dandelion, and licorice tea (Ni, p. 117)

avoid: • heavy protein foods, fats, meats, vinegars, shellfish, cow's milk and other dairy products, white bread, refined foods, processed foods, sugar and sweets, catarrh-forming foods: tofu, ice cream, shellfish

Botanicals
• Achillea millefolium: fever, diaphoretic, congestion, restores secretions (Ellingwood, p. 356) • Aconitum napellus (toxic): acute coryza, acute onset (Felter and Lloyd, p. 105) • Allium sativum • Artemisia absinthium: as a tea for sometime after infectious state; tonic, enhances resistance, weakness after infection especially where atony of stomach and gall bladder play a key role (Weiss, p. 80) • Asclepias tuberosa (toxic): (British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, p. 35) • Bryonia alba (toxic): serous tissue inflammation (Felter and Lloyd, p. 368), symptoms worse with movement • Cimicifuga racemosa: muscular pains (Felter and Lloyd, p. 533) • Cinchona spp. (toxic): as prophylactic; with Achillea millefolium, Mentha piperita and Asclepias tuberosa (toxic) in influenza (British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, p. 67) • Cinnamonum zeylanicum: with Sambucus nigra, Mentha piperita and Achillea millefolium (British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, p. 68) • Echinacea spp.: catarrh, debilitated mucous membranes, septic conditions, enhances resistance to infection (Felter and Lloyd, p. 675; Weiss, p. 229) • Eucalyptus globulus: mucous catarrh (Felter and Lloyd, p. 735) • Eupatorium perfoliatum: specific for influenza with deep aching and congestion of respiratory mucosa; combines with Achillea millefolium, Sambucus nigra and Asclepias tuberosa (toxic) to enhance resistance to infection (British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, p. 87, Felter and Lloyd; p. 739, Weiss, p. 229) • Gelsemium sempervirens (toxic): sedative, fever and inflammation (Felter, p. 388) • Mentha piperita: (NCNM Botanicals) • Pilocarpus jaborandi (toxic): diaphoretic (Weiss, p. 226) • Salix alba: influenza and respiratory catarrh (British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, p. 185) • Sambucus canadensis: fever, diaphoretic; may use with Mentha piperita (British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, p. 187; Felter and Lloyd, p. 1707) • Sticta pulmonaria: muscular pain in shoulders, extrinsic respiratory muscles, irritative persistent cough (Felter and Lloyd, p. 1835) • Tilia platyphyllos or cordata: diaphoretic (Weiss, pp. 226, 228) • Verbascum thapsus: influenzal cold with respiratory catarrh (British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, p. 227) • Zingiber officinale: for cold conditions, nausea, decreased digestion (Felter and Lloyd, p. 2111)

Chinese Formulae
• Gan Mao Dan (patent), Forsythia 18 (patent): Lung Invaded by Wind-Heat (Gan Mao: Zhu, p. 45; Forsythia: Dharmananda, 1990, p. 18) • Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Wan (Lophanthus Antifebrile Pills) (patent): Wind-Cold Damp: intestinal flu, especially in summer (Zhu, p. 59) • Apricot Seed and Perilla F. (Xing Su San): Wind-Cold: cough with thin white phlegm, slightly itchy throat, sneezing, no sweating, headache, general aching (Hsu, 1980, p. 46; Bensky and Barolet, p. 158; Yeung, p. 267). • Chuan Xin Lian Kang Yan Pian (patent): Lung Invaded by Wind-Heat (Zhu, p. 189) • Asarum 14 (patent): influenza (Dharmananda, 1990, p. 37) • Lapis 16 (patent): influenza (Dharmananda, 1990, p. 48)

Acupuncture
after assessing the person and palpating, consider these patterns: Lung Invaded by Wind-Heat; Wind-Cold; Wind-Cold Damp; Large Intestine Obstructed by Heat; Spleen invaded by Cold or Cold-Damp

• PC-6, LI-4 and Lu-7; LI-20; St-16 and GB-20; UB-11, UB-12 and UB-13; the Yu (Shu Associated) points for influenza (Mann, p. 90) • GB-20, Lu-7 and TW-5 (also consider LI-20, bi tong, ying tang, tai yang, CV-22, St-40, UB-12, UB-13, jia ji of C5 through T4) for Wind-Cold influenza (Lee and Cheung, p. 225) • GB-20, GV-14, LI-11 and LI-4 (also consider LI-20, bi tong, ying tang, tai yang, CV-22, St-40, UB-12, UB-13, jia ji of C5 through T4) for Wind-Heat influenza (Lee and Cheung, p. 225) • GV-20, GV-16, GV-14, GB-1, LI-11, St-36, TW-6, St-44, UB-36/41 and UB-37/42 for influenza (Lee and Cheung, p. 226) • GV-13 and UB-13 for treatment of seasonal fever (Lee and Cheung, p. 226) • Lu-11 and/or PC-9: can bleed few drops to reduce high fever IF patient NOT demonstrating a Xu (Deficiency) condition • St-8, yin tang, and/or tai yang (-): relieve headache; expel Wind and Heat; resolve Dampness from the head; esp. useful with headache or feeling of heaviness in head due to Shi (Excess) Dampness • St-25 and TW-6 for vomiting with or without diarrhea (Shanghai, p. 183) • GB-20, GV-14 and UB-12 (-): expel Wind and clear Heat • PC-6, CV-12 and St-36 (=): harmonize center; relieve nausea and vomiting • St-25, St-36 and CV-4 (+): harmonize intestines, relieve diarrhea • GV-13, GV-14 and UB-12 (ind. D): disperse Wind; stimulate sweating; resolve the Exterior; esp. with cold sensation in back
 * » illustrative combinations:**

Homeopathy
• Aconitum napellus: high fever, dry skin, restlessness, dry violent, racking cough, after exposure to cold west winds • Arsenicum album: leading remedy (Das, p 368); restlessness with thirst for small quantities; sneezing; acrid nasal discharge • Baptisia: bleary eyes, aching head, sore throat, pains and soreness throughout body, profound prostration; stupor and difficult to arouse person • Bryonia: headache always on coughing, on stooping as if contents of head would come through forehead; aversion to light, esp. sunlight; frequent sneezing; often between cough, fluent watery or greenish coryza; mouth dry, with thirst; shooting muscle pains < least motion • Carbo vegetabilis: for post-influenza symptoms such as prostration, lack of energy, residual bronchitis • Causticum: from start sensation of weakness and paresis in all extremities; loss of appetite; unilateral, frontal headache; eyes sensitive to light and heat; high fever, flushed face, no chilliness; nose stopped, coryza free, watery; persistent dry, hacking cough • Chelidonium: shortness of breath, tightness of chest; loud rales in bronchi; violent pain in forehead above the eyes, anxiety, restlessness, photophobia, throat dry; thirst with dry mouth or no thirst; no appetite; delirium, mostly at night, followed by lethargy which continues during day • Dulcamara: eyes swollen, throat sore; cough hurts due to muscle soreness; brought on by wet or change of weather • Eupatorium perfoliatum: flowing coryza, sneezing, hoarseness, with roughness of voice; hacking cough in the evening; soreness in chest, deep pain and aching in limbs, constant change of position • Gelsemium: sneezing, frequent and violent chilliness up and down the back, face flushed; watery, bland nasal discharge; sore throat; hard, painful cough; shooting pain in ear when swallowing, hard hearing, thirstlessness with fever, < at night • Influenzinum: as an intercurrent; may start with this • Kali bichromicum: cough after fever which is not dry; sticky phlegm; ulceration of mucus membrane of nose • Rhus toxicodendron: constant chilliness as if cold water was poured over body; restlessness; hard tickling cough • Sulphur: as an intercurrent if fever does not change within 48 hours

Subtle Support
• notes: A, A#, B, C, C#, D, D#, E, F, G, G#

• chords: dominant 7th, diminished 7th, diminished 8th, A Major, A# Major, C Major, G Major, G# Major (Gimbel, p. 116)

Mind/Body
• Epidemics cleanse the energy of the collective unconscious; cleansing of emotional stress. (Shealy, p. 210) • Belief in statistics; response to mass negativity and beliefs. (Hay, 1984, p. 171) • Emotional dysfunction; susceptible, as result of emotional exhaustion brought on by living 'busyness.' (Shealy, p. 211) • Any minor respiratory complaint is used to rebalance the psyche and internal organs. (Harrison, p. 138) • Rhinitis or influenza permits us to withdraw somewhat from the particular situation that is oppressing us and devote all of our attention to ourselves. Now we can give full vent to our sensitivity on the bodily level. The nose is blocked and makes all communication (as a form of contact) impossible. We get further impressive backing to this defensive attitude by sneezing, and expiration is turned into a highly aggressive defense-weapon. Even language's role as a means of communication is reduced to a minimum by a sore throat, and if the tonsils swell up, one might wonder what is is that we are no longer prepared to swallow, to accept. (Dethlefsen, p. 123)

• Lung ~ Fei governs the Qi; facilitates the immune function by assisting the dispersal of the Wei (Protective) Qi; regulates the rhythm of respiration, the pulse, and all bodily processes; relates to strength and sustainability; moves and adjusts fluid metabolism; includes the throat; opens at the nose; and controls the pores. » Healthy expressions are righteousness and courage. » Weakness, dysfunction, and illness are associated with excessive grief, sadness, worry, and depression. Worry depletes the Lung Qi. » Lung Shi (Excess) signs include panting; yawning; sneezing (Seem, p. 28); pain in the upper back, shoulder, and chest; colds with stuffed nose; hoarseness; wheezing respiration; frequent urination with small amounts; heavy chest; reduced lung capacity; coughing; and nasal discharge. Lung Xu (Deficiency) predisposes to acute Excess.
 * Chinese psychophysiology**:

• Large Intestine ~ Da Chang absorbs water; governs transformation and conveyance of waste from food to form stool; is paired with the Lung and relates to strength and sustainability as the Yang aspect of Metal. » Weakness, dysfunction, and illness associated with sadness, grief, and worry. Worry depletes the Lung Qi which fails to descend and assist the Large Intestine in its functions. » Healthy expressions are righteousness and courage. » Deficiency signs include skin eruptions; itching; cold; difficulty warming up (Seem, p. 29); shivering; rumbling in the bowels; and diarrhea. » Excess signs include dry mouth; parched lips; hot body (Seem, p. 29); warmth and swelling along the course of the channel; distended abdomen; dizziness; constipation; yellow-orange urine. » Stagnation of Qi in the Large Intestine produces spastic abdominal pain and constipation, with small stools alternating with diarrhea. » Mental signs of Large Intestine channel disorders include mental confusion; defective elimination of ideas; stubbornness; complacency in being wrong; rigidity of thinking; and vulnerability to cold. (Seem, p. 27)

• Spleen ~ Pi governs digestion and manifests in the muscle tissues; transforms food into Qi and Xue (Blood); governs the Xue (Blood); resolves Dampness and Phlegm; and relates to the ability to assimilate, stabilize, and feel centered and balanced. » Healthy expressions are fairness, openness, deep thinking, and reminiscence. » Spleen Xu (Deficiency) signs include slightness (deficient "form"); abundant elimination; morning fatigue; cold, wet feet (Seem, p. 28); abdomen taut and distended like a drum; craving for sweets; flatulence; nausea; mild edema; memory failure; heavy feeling in legs; pale lips; loose stools; muscular weakness; and, indirectly, obesity. Spleen Xu (Deficiency) predisposes to acute Excess. » The excessive use of the mind in thinking, studying, concentrating, and memorizing over a long period of time tends to weaken the Spleen and may lead to Xue Yu (Blood Stasis). This also includes excessive pensiveness and constant brooding. (Maciocia, p. 241) Likewise, inadequate physical exercise and excess consumption of sweet and/or Cold foods will also deplete the Spleen. Environmentally, the Spleen is highly susceptible to attack from external Dampness and Cold.