Swine Flu Prevention

Greetings folks.

What follows is a current memo circulating to naturopaths, herbalists etc regarding swine flu. The authors name and references have been included for you to check if you wish. This is timely information and is very much worthy of your time to read through in not only preventing possible Swine Flu infection, but general influenza infections as well as the common cold and similar viral nasties that are doing the rounds this time of year. Swine flu has had lots of media attention seemigly making this a more dangerous flu. Truth is any strain of flu can be dangerous if your system is weakened or low. Back in the dark ages influenza killed plenty of folks! Prevention is key!

Prevention

There is also more you can do than the simple measure listed in the article below. Like all viruses, the more we assist our own natural mechanisms of immunity the better. Herbs such as Echinacea, Andrographis, St Johns Wort,  Garlic and ensuring you have plenty of vitamins in the system (mainly vit c and zinc) such as taking a good daily multivitamin and mineral supplement will go a long way towards helping prevent infections and should infection occur, then give your system a great chance of getting over it sooner.  Also if you have flu like symptoms, see a professional and then rest and stay away from others, this helps to prevent the spread as well.

Last resort is the pharmaceutical antiviral mediciations! If you are a person of weak constitution and have been diagnosed with Swine flu, then this is your best form of action.

If you would like a herbal tonic for flu or to help ensure against flu, see my herbal medicine page here. You can have one made and sent to you if you live in Australia.

Enjoy the article.

Craig Hitchens. B.HSc.(Natural Health Care) Dip. Massage, Dip. Reflexology, NESCP, TFTCP

Swine Flu Outbreak
By Rob Santich, B.HSc., N.D., Dip. Herb
Recently the media has headlined a major health concern; namely a global outbreak of a particularly
virulent form of influenza commonly known as swine flu. According to the US Centers for Disease
Control (CDC), the human swine flu outbreak originated out of Mexico, and continues to grow in the
United States and internationally. The CDC reports numerous cases of confirmed swine influenza and a
number of hospitalisations of swine flu patients. Internationally, the situation is also considered serious,
with a number of countries reporting confirmed cases of swine flu, including New Zealand and with a
number of suspected cases in Australia.1
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that
regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Swine flu viruses cause high levels of illness and low
death rates in pigs. The classical swine flu virus (an influenza type A H1N1 virus) was first isolated from
a pig in 1930.2
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza
and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have
reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.2
An unusual feature of the current outbreak according to Anne Schuchat from the CDC is that the current
strain appears to contain elements from four different flu viruses, including swine flu from the US,
swine flu typically found in Asia and Europe, US bird flu and lastly, human flu.3 This current strain of the
swine virus appears to adapt readily to humans and spread amongst the community quickly. The origins
of this new strain are unknown at this time. One theory is that Asian and European strains travelled to
Mexico in migratory birds or in people, then combined with North American strains in Mexican pig
factory farms before crossing over to farm workers and from there out into the community.4
The CDC recommends the use of Tamiflu (oseltamivir) or Relenza (zanamivir) for the treatment and/or
prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses.5 This is based on evidence that suggests that both
of these drugs are effective antivirals in the treatment of the classical swine flu virus. The current strain
of the swine flu virus has not been confirmed according to Anne Schuchat from the CDC.3
While there have been no confirmed cases of swine flu in Australia, we are now entering flu season and
standard preventative strategies are relevant at this time.
General prevention tips
Be careful when touching public access surfaces such as door handles, shopping trolleys, taxis, lift
buttons, remote controls, telephones etc
Alcohol wipes and gels are easy to carry and use as a disinfectant after touching public access areas
Wash hands often and try to reduce touching face, eyes and nose with unclean hands
Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, exercise often, manage your stress levels,
drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food
Avoid close contact with people who are sick

REFERENCES
1 http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
2 http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/key_facts.htm
3 Robotham J. Sydney Morning Herald, April 29, 2009, p.1
4 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-kirby/swine-flu-outbreak—-nat_b_191408.html
5 http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/recommendations.htm