H1N1/Swine Flu Info

What is Swine Flu?

Influenza A virus subtype H1N1, also known as A(H1N1), is a subtype of influenza virus A and the most common cause` of influenza (flu) in humans. Some strains of H1N1 are endemic in humans, including the strain(s) responsible for the 1918 flu pandemic which killed 50–100 million people worldwide. Less virulent H1N1 strains still exist in the wild today, worldwide, causing a small fraction of all influenza-like illness and a large fraction of all seasonal influenza. H1N1 strains caused roughly half of all flu infections in 2006.

In the 2009 swine flu outbreak, the virus isolated from patients in the United States was found to be made up of genetic elements from four different flu viruses North American Mexican influenza, North American avian influenza, human influenza, and swine influenza virus typically found in Asia and Europe  “an unusually mongrelised mix of genetic sequences.” This new strain appears to be a result of reassortment of human influenza and swine influenza viruses, in all four different strains of subtype H1N1. However, as the virus has not yet been isolated in animals to date and also for historical naming reasons, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) suggests it be called “North-American influenza”.[15] On April 30, 2009 the World Health Organization began referring to the outbreak as “Influenza A” instead of “swine flu” and later began referring to it as “Influenza A(H1N1)”.

Swine Flu Symptoms

The symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be 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 diarrhea. Symptoms of Swine flu may include all or some of the following:

• Fever
• Muscle aches
• Lethargy
• Coughing
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Lack of appetite

Complications Of Swine Influenza

Those at higher risk of catching influenza in general include those with the following:

• Age of 65 years or older
• Chronic health problems (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease)
• Pregnant women
• Young children

Healthy young adults are at lower risk of catching this Flu

Complications of Swine Flu can include:

• Pneumonia
• Bronchitis
• Sinus infections
• Ear infections
• Death

How does Swine Flu spread?

• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Kissing
• Touching infected objects
• Touching nose, mouth and/or eyes with infected hands
• Swine flu does not spread by eating pork.
• What You Can Do to Prevent Swine Flu?

Some ways to stay healthy and prevent getting infected.

• Wear a masks or facemask when you are out in public places, it decreases the chance of transmission.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or with alcohol-based hand sanitizers, especially after being out in-public
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• Eat healthy diet foods and do your regular exercise at home.
• Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
• If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Above all. Don’t get stressed by the fear of getting the swine flu. Stress can undermine your immune system. The flu doesn’t kill everyone and in most cases may prove benign. Mild exercise, meditation or yoga and healthy nutritious diet can help keep your immune system in good condition and able to ward of any infections. Not every ‘infection’ becomes a full blown ‘disease’. Most infections are taken care of by your body even before you know that you were infected. Most infections affect gravely those people who are vitally deranged. So instead of panicking about the flu, stay calm and keep yourself healthy.

Protect yourself with natural antiviral remedies

Antiviral Herbs

The following is a list of natural herbal anti-virals. Although the drugs are said to be effective and authorities are currently looking at developing a vaccine, it is known that viruses have an ability to mutate and drug resistance can develop. While not meaning to be a scaremonger, as a naturopath I would strongly advise being self prepared in the event of a global apndemic. The following remedies are readily available and can be added to the home first aid kit and can be taken to improve natural immunity to prevent infection. Of course, these have not been tested directly on the swine flu however, evidence is strong of the nature of their anti-viral and anti-microbial activity therefore making them appropriate to treat and prevent viral infections. Natural medicine is designed to empower people with the ability to prevent disease and act proactively rather than reactively. The anti-microbial activity relates to the anti-biotic effects that the herbs have and are particularly useful to treat secondary pneumonias associated with swine flu.

Goldenseal
Golden seal contains a high content of isoquinoline alkaloids, of which berberine is the most widely studied. Although not as potent as some prescription antibiotics, berberine exhibits a broad spectrum of antibiotic activity. It has also shown activity against protozoa and fungi.In relation to Golden seals’s anti-viral activity, the anti-human cyto megalus virus activity of berberine was compared to the anti-viral drug, ganciclovir (GCV). The mechanism of action by which 1 inhibits the replication of HCMV is presumed to be different from that of GCV; being that berberine compounds interfere with intracellular events after virus penetration into the host cells and before viral DNA synthesis.31  Antimicrobial activity increases with pH in all organisms studied. There for a Alkalinisation will improve its clinical efficacy particularly in the treatment of urinary tract infections. Berberine has also been shown to activate macrophages. Usual dose is 250-500 mg/day (8-12% alkaloid content). Berberine is generally non-toxic at recommended doses, but it is not recommended for use during pregnancy, and it can decrease B vitamin absorption. It may interfere with H-2 antagonists, proton pump inhibitors, antihypertensives, barbiturates and sedatives, and heparin.

Echinacea
Echinacea may boost the immune defenses in various ways. It contains three compounds with specific antiviral activity: caffeic acid, chicoric acid, and echinacin. It strengthens the body’s local defences by use of a substance, echinacein, that deactivates germs’ tissue-dissolving enzyme. This prevents germs from spreading and infecting other body tissues. In one study, echinacea stimulated production of white blood cells and phagocytes, and increased macrophage germ-killing activity. A University of Munich study demonstrated that echinacea boosted production of infection-fighting T-lymphocytes up to 30% more than standard immune-supportive drugs. In Germany echinacea is used to treat flu, colds, bronchitis, tonsillitis, ear infections and whooping cough. Root extracts of echinacea are believed to boost interferon levels, vital to the body’s defences.

Echinacea has been the subject of over 200 scientific studies. Echinacea is the most widely recommended herb for infectious conditions despite the fact that the direct activity of Echinacea as an antibacterial is quite mild. Its main effect appears to be immunostimulatory; activating the alternative complement pathway, promoting chemotaxis of neutrophils, monocytes, and eosinophils, enhancing macrophage phagocytosis and stimulation of production of TNF, interferon, and interleukin-1. TNF is our bodies own natural anti-viral. The herb also possesses antiviral activity due to inhibition of hyaluronidases. Hyaluronidase lowers the viscosity of hyaluronic acid, a major constituent of the interstitial barrier, thereby increasing tissue permeability. It is, therefore, used in medicine in conjunction with other drugs in order to speed their dispersion and delivery. It has been shown to decrease symptoms and length of sickness in patients experiencing the common cold. Echinacea has also been shown to accentuate the topical antimycotic agent (econazol nitrate) decreasing recurrence of C. albicans from 60.5% to 5-16.7%.

The usual dose is 900 mg/day of 3.5% echinacoside. Caution is indicated in patients with HIV because of potential stimulation of viral replication. The literature on Echinacea has been reviewed by the Cochrane Collaboration. The reviewers concluded that the majority of available studies report positive results.

St. John’s Wort
St John’s wort has received national attention as an herbal anti-depressant. Surprisingly, it is most effective as an anti-vial and anti-bacterial. In vitro studies have shown that the two major compounds (hypericin and pseudohypericin) exhibit strong antiviral activity against HSV I and II as well as influenza types A and B, vesicular stomatitis virus and remarkable antiviral activity against Epstein-Barr virus. St. John’s Wort also have broad spectrum antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Proteus vulgaris, E. coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Research suggests that Hypericum may be a useful adjunctive treatment for herpes simplex, mononucleosis, and influenza, and because of its antidepressant and anti-EBV activity, a promising treatment for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. Several studies show effectiveness of Hypericum against HIV.  While hypericin has been shown to be effective in inactivating enveloped viruses, such as hepatitis B and C, and cytomegalovirus, it has not been effective against non-enveloped viruses, such as hepatitis A, or parvovirus B-19.

St. John’s Wort has a historical use as an topical aid to wound healing. Research has demonstrated antibacterial and wound healing activity. The usual oral dose of Hypericum standardized to 0.3% hypericin is 300 mg three times a day. There are many potential drug interactions, including: sedative-hypnotics, 5-HT antagonists, cyclosporine, digoxin, nefazodone, NNRTI’s, tricyclic antidepressants, photosensitizing drugs, protease inhibitors, theophylline, and coumadin. Hypericum is metabolized by the cytochrome P-450 system and caution should be used with any drugs using the same metabolic pathway.

Licorice Root
Licorice root has been used to prevent and remedy infections, fevers and inflammation. It has broad antimicrobial activity against viruses, bacteria, yeast and fungi. Licorice contains at least eight antiviral and 25 antifungal substances. Licorice also possesses antiviral compounds that promote interferon release.  Licorice has, as its major active component a triterpenoid saponin, glycyrrhizic acid. Intestinal flora hydrolyzes glycyrrhizin yielding the aglycone molecule (glycyrrhentinic acid) and a sugar moiety, resulting in absorption of both. Both glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhentinic acid have been shown to induce interferon, a natural anti-viral  This leads to significant antiviral activity. Licorice root has been shown to directly inhibit the growth of several DNA and RNA viruses in cell cultures (vaccinia, herpes simplex, Newcastle disease, vesicular stomatitis virus) and to irreversibly inactivate HSV I. The herb also shows antimicrobial activity in vitro against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Mycobacterium, and Candida albicans. Licorice compounds are showing promise in the treatment of HIV related diseases and chronic Hepatitis B (40% of patients will have complete resolution). Topical preparations have been shown to reduce the healing time and pain associated with cold sores, apthous ulcers, and genital herpes. Caution is recommended when used with drugs that can deplete potassium, stimulant laxatives, and herbs with anticoagulant/antiplatelet properties, including: aspirin and other NSAID’s, corticosteroids, cardiac glycosides, loop diuretics, hormones (estrogen-like), insulin, MAOI’s and interferon. The use of deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) is recommended because of comparable efficacy but reduced side-effects. Usual dose of standardized 4% extract is 250-500 mg/day.

Other herbs exist which show definite but more limited antimicrobial activity. One such example is Uva ursi (bearberry, upland cranberry), which is especially active against E. coli and can be used in the acute treatment and prevention of recurrent cystitis. It is also active against C. albicans and S. aureus. The usual dose of extract standardized to 10% arbutin is 250-500 mg/day.

Garlic
Garlic has long been considered as a natural remedy against a range of humanillnesses, including various bacterial, viral and fungal infections. This kind of antibiotic activity of garlic has mostly been associated with the thiosulfinate allicin. Even so, recent studies have pointed towards a significant biological activity of trisulfides and tetrasulfides found in various Allium species, including a wide range of antibiotic properties and the ability of polysulfides to cause the death of certain cancer cells. The chemistry underlying the biological activity of these polysulfides is currently emerging. It seems to include a combination of several distinct transformations, such as oxidation reactions, superoxide radical and peroxide generation, decomposition with release of highly electrophilic S(x) species, inhibition of metalloenzymes, disturbance of metal homeostasis and membrane integrity and interference with different cellular signalling pathways. Further research in this area is required to provide a better understanding of polysulfide reactions within a biochemical context. This knowledge may ultimately form the basis for the development of ‘green’ antibiotics, fungicides and possibly anticancer agents with dramatically reduced side effects in humans.

Allicin, one of the active principles of freshly crushed garlic homogenates, has a variety of antimicrobial activities. Allicin in its pure form was found to exhibit i) antibacterial activity against a wide range of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, including multidrug-resistant enterotoxicogenic strains of Escherichia coli; ii) antifungal activity, particularly against Candida albicans; iii) antiparasitic activity, including some major human intestinal protozoan parasites such as Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia; and iv) antiviral activity. The main antimicrobial effect of allicin is due to its chemical reaction with thiol groups of various enzymes, e.g. alcohol dehydrogenase, thioredoxin reductase, and RNA polymerase, which can affect essential metabolism of cysteine proteinase activity involved in the virulence of E. histolytica.

Andrographus Andrographis paniculata

The leaves of Andrographis paniculata, an annual herb, have been used widely as part of Indian folk medicine and Ayurveda for centuries. The Chinese and Thai herbal medicine systems have also incorporated this herb, valued mostly for its “bitter” properties as a treatment for digestive problems and a variety of febrile illnesses. More recently, this herb, in its standardized extract form, has become popular in Scandinavia as a remedy for upper respiratory infection (URI) and influenza. For example, a 300 milligram Kan Jang tablet containing 4% andrographolides has been recommended to be taken four times daily for cold treatment (for a total daily dose of 48 milligrams andrographolides). Lower doses have been evaluated for respiratory infection prevention; for example, a single 200-300 milligram standardized tablet taken daily. Use appears to be safe for up to two weeks. Higher doses may be unsafe, leading to significant side effects. Kulichenko et al. carried out two randomized parallel-group trials of the SHA-10 extract of andrographis (Kan Jang, Swedish Herbal Institute) in adults diagnosed with influenza. Both studies found significant improvements in reduction of duration of influenza symptoms (1-2.5 days sooner, depending on particular symptom, p< 0.01). Although the study suffers from a poorly described randomization procedure and a lack of a standardized outcome measure for symptoms, it does seem to provide preliminary evidence that andrographis extract may be effective not only for standard URI treatment but also specifically for influenza treatment.

Astragalus

Astragalus is an extremely versatile herb which may act as an immune strengthener. It is a commonly used herb in traditional Chinese medicine and is used as a component of many immune-supporting formulas, whether prepared as a sliced and boiled herb in food preparations, in extracts, or in capsules. The IL-2 inducing activity of the triterpene saponins found in astragalus might be the mechanism involved in the immunomodulatory and anticancer effects of astragalus species.

Elderberry
Elderberry has been used has been used as a remedy for flu, cough, colds, and upper respiratory infections for over 2500 years. Recent studies demonstrate black elderberry’s effectiveness against all strains of influenza virus. A constituent present in black elderberry (with actions similar to neuraminidase inhibitors oseltamivir and zanamivir) prevents the spread of virions from infected cells to new cells.

Forsythia

Forsythia is a traditional Chinese herb used for treating colds, flu, and other viruses. It is often mixed with honeysuckle and sometimes lemon balm and/or ginger as a tea.

Honeysuckle

Often used in China to treat bacterial and viral conditions. It is taken as a liquid from flower extracts or as a tea.

Grape seed extract

GSE is a general antimicrobial agent with specific antiviral properties. It is best known for its application against Candida albicans, an organism responsible for fungal infections.  Flavonoids and related polyphenols, in addition to their cardioprotective, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic and anti-allergic activities, also possess promising anti-HIV effects. Recent studies documented that the beta-chemokine receptors, CCR2b, CCR3 and CCR5, and the alpha-chemokine receptors, CXCR1, CXCR2 and CXCR4 serve as entry coreceptors for HIV-1. Although flavonoids and polyphenolic compounds elicit anti-HIV effects such as inhibition of HIV-1 expression and virus replication, the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects remain to be clearly elucidated. Although not proven by scientific research, it may be effective against a long list of other microorganisms as well, including herpes simplex type 1 virus, and influenza A virus. GSE may be used in liquid concentrate form or in capsules. GSE may be taken internally, in minute doses such as 2 to 4 drops twice daily diluted in at least 4 ounces of carrot, orange, pineapple or grapefruit juice.

Green tea

Certain constituents called catechins found in green tea have been studied for their ability to inhibit influenza virus replication and their direct virucidal effects. One study evaluated polyphenolic compound catechins ((-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECG) and (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC)) from green tea for their ability to inhibit influenza virus replication in cell culture and for potential direct virucidal effect. Among the test compounds, the EGCG and ECG were found to be potent inhibitors of influenza virus replication. It has been suggested that the antiviral effect of catechins on influenza virus is mediated not only by specific interaction with HA, but via alteration of the physical properties of the viral membrane.

Indigowoad Root Isatidis
Indigowoad Root Isatidis is a Traditional Chinese Medicine herb that comes from the roots of woad, but often incorrectly listed under the synonymic name, Isatis indigotica. It is also known as Radix isatidis. The dried root is then processed into granules, which are most commonly consumed dissolved in hot water or tea. The product, called Banlangen Keli, is very popular throughout China, and used to remove toxic heat, soothe sore throat and to treat influenza, measles, mumps, syphilis, or scarlet fever. It is also used for pharyngitis, laryngitis, erysipelas, and carbuncle, and to prevent hepatitis A, epidemic meningitis, cancer and inflammation. Possible minor side effects include allergic reactions and dizziness; only large dosages or long term usage can be toxic to the kidneys. These treatments have not generally been evaluated clinically. Banlangen was used during the SARS epidemic in China.
This herb is one of the best-known traditional Chinese medicine antiviral herbs. Isatidis may be a remedy for any virus but appears to be especially good for hepatitis, because it helps reduce both swelling and liver inflammation. Isatidis is mild and can be used in children or those who do not tolerate heat well. Isatidis may also be a good anti-bacterial agent.

Recently, scientists have discovered woad might be used to prevent cancer, having more than 20 times the amount of glucobrassicin contained in broccoli.  Young leaves when damaged can produce more glucobrassicin, up to 65 times as much.

Olive leaf
This herb has general antimicrobial and antiviral properties. It usually comes in powder form in capsules.

Schizandra
This herb has been used in traditional Chinese medicine as an antiviral herb, specifically in cases of viral hepatitis.