It's that contagious time of year again!

What to DO about the FLU.

Let’s take a quick look at 3 commonly asked questions regarding the influenza virus: What conventional treatments are available? What about the flu vaccine? How can a Naturopathic Doctor help me? My aim here is not to disrespect the conventional medical system, but just to shed some light on the abundance of effective therapies out there that are simple talked about less.

1. What conventional treatments are available?

• A medical doctor suspicious of the flu may recommend bed rest, fluids, and Tylenol - and if the case calls for it - antivirals.
• A note about antivirals: some strains of influenza have developed resistance to certain antivirals and this process will continue to happen the more commonly that antivirals are used. There are cautions when it comes to the use of amantadine, oseltamivir, or zanamivir, including risk of renal failure, central nervous system side effects, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, GI upset, headache, and bronchitis. Even so, in the right situation, these could be a life saving option.
• A note about Tylenol: see my previous blog post!

2. What about the flu vaccine?

• I will refer you to a well written medscape article by two MD’s: E. Biondi and C. Aligne, called “Flu Vaccine for All: A Critical Look at the Evidence”. Here are a few excerpts:
  • “…and now during every flu season, we watch commercials by retail pharmacies telling us about the importance of getting the flu shot.”
  • “However, after decades of vaccine use, it is hard to detect any public health impact.”
  • “Influenza vaccination now supersedes many other priorities of public health (such as obesity, illiteracy, and high school dropout), and we question whether so much time, effort, and money should be dedicated to flu vaccination while these other national healthcare priorities remain on the back burner.”

3. How can a Naturopathic Doctor help me?

• Your Naturopathic Doctor will give you a personalized treatment plan to speed up your recovery of the flu, and in severe cases, will refer you for medical treatment. Here are some examples:
• Immune and antiviral treatment. This may include vitamins and minerals such as high dose Vitamin C, Zinc, Vitamin D, NAC, or selenium. Or it could include botanical medicine in any of it’s many forms such as herbal baths, herbal teas, herbal popsicles, glycerites, tinctures, chest rubs, throat sprays, compresses and essential oils.
• It is important that all the emunctory organs are functioning well in order to clear the virus and its toxins. These include the bowels, skin, kidneys, liver, and lungs. Your naturopathic doctor may give you advice around these areas.
• Remember that a fever is the body’s BEST defence mechanism against this illness. Sweating and getting up to a high fever will allow for a shorter duration of sickness. However, always monitor a fever with the help of a health professional as in rare circumstances they can be dangerous.
• Some of the basic flu hygiene includes:
  • Ingesting only fluids during fever such as broth or freshly made vegetable & fruit juice. Post-fever, begin with light meals.
  • Keep the hands and mouth clean.
  • Make sure there is plenty of fresh air circulation.
  • Use a cold compress over the calves to help with sleep.
• Physical medicine can be an excellent adjunct to quickly ridding the body of the infection, for example, cupping therapy, acupuncture, or hydrotherapy.
• Continue with treatment until a full recovery is made in order to avoid the possible sequelae of the flu.

Although brief, I hope this offers up some new ideas or helps answer some questions you may have had. 
As with all health concerns, I do not advise treating yourself. Please seek guidance from your healthcare professional.