Common name: Flu

Anyone who has had influenza will know that it is a more serious complaint than simply having a bad cold. Influenza can be a real killer, and attention to good health to prevent the onset of serious symptoms is important. Influenza usually occurs in school-age children, but it's most severe effects are felt by infants, the elderly, and people with chronic illnesses. The flu is produced by a virus which is hard to fight because the virus continually changes over time, usually by mutation. This constant changing enables the virus to evade the immune system of the host (humans, birds, and other animals) this makes the host susceptible to changing influenza virus infections throughout life.

Influenza will run its course regardless of how you treat it, but because it is a viral disease, it does not respond to antibiotics. If you are in good health, your body will fight it through the Immune System, so in a week or so of bed rest and self-care at home, influenza will probably pass with no complications.

There are three main types of influenza: A, B and C. Type A is the most common: all are airborne and most frequently spread by droplets (coughing, sneezing, kissing and sharing drinking glasses and towels).

• Type A and B Influenza - are responsible for epidemics of respiratory illness that occur almost every winter and are often associated with increased rates of hospitalization and death.
• Type C Influenza - infection usually causes either a very mild respiratory illness or no symptoms at all; it does not cause epidemics and does not have the severe public health impact of influenza types A and B.

Symptoms:

• Fever with a temperature between 101°F -106°F, sometimes accompanied by chilling.
• Aching muscles
• Headaches
• General weakness
• Sometimes harsh cough
• Nasal congestion, sneezing

Natural Remedies:

Aromatic Oils: Several oils have considerable antiviral activity, and help to boost the immune system. It is important though to use them at the earliest sign of influenza for maximum benefits. Either use them in the bath or as steam inhalations; it may also be good idea to fumigate the house with oils at the same time, to help prevent everyone else getting the infection. This is best done by adding around 10 drops to a small plant spray filled with water, frequently spraying the room.

Herbal Remedy: In the early stages of a chilled feeling, use a warming tea such as Cinnamon - break a stick into a teapot - perhaps with 2.5 ml (1/2 tsp) of Cayenne or ground Ginger added. When feeling more feverish, you can stimulate sweating by taking infusion of Catmint and/or Elderflower. To stimulate the immune system, and also to ward off complications such as bronchitis, take plenty of garlic, preferably raw.

Naturopathy:

• At an early stage take a hot bath before going to bed add 30-60ml (2-4 tbsp) of Epsom salt to your hot bath.
• Drink more fresh fruit juices until the feverish period has passed, and then starting on fruit, vegetables and whole grains at first. If very hot and sweaty, try applying a cool compress to the chest and trunk.
• Immediately when the symptoms start, it is advisable to take high levels of Vitamin C to boost the immune system, around 3,000 - 4,000mg to start with, reducing over 3-4 days to 500 mg until completely well.
• Another way to stimulate the immune system is to take Bee Propolis, Garlic and Echinacea.

Homeopathy:

• Bryonia - take this if you have aching muscles, with headache that is worse when you move. If you are thirsty for cold fluids and have a dry hacking cough.
• Gelsemium - for hot head and face, burning headache but without any real sense of thirst.
• Nux Vomica - Take if you have a feeling of being thoroughly chilled and cannot get warm at all. Upset stomach and back and limbs are aching.