Swine Flu by Dr. Varsani - posted by Nick

What is Swine Flu?

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. Swine influenza viruses may circulate among swine
throughout the year, but most outbreaks occur during the late fall and
winter months similar to outbreaks in humans.

The 2009 flu outbreak in humans is due to a new strain of influenza A
virus subtype H1N1 that derives in part from human influenza, avian
influenza, and two separate strains of swine influenza. The origins of
this new strain are unknown. It passes with apparent ease from human
to human, an ability attributed to an as-yet unidentified mutation.
The strain in most cases causes only mild symptoms and the infected
person makes a full recovery without requiring medical attention and
without the use of antiviral medicines.

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 including 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

But the past epidemics and pandemics of flu have shown that during
pandemics most people that are affected are healthy young adults.

Complications of Swine Flu can include:

* Pneumonia
* Bronchitis
* Sinus infections
* Ear infections
* Death

Transmission of Swine Flu (How does Swine Flu spread?)

As with other flu like illnesses, Swine influenza is spread as follows:

Coughing
Sneezing
Kissing
Touching infected objects
Touching nose, mouth and/or eyes with infected hands
Swine flu does not spread by eating pork.

Treatment of Swine Flu

Swine Flu Vaccination / Swine Flu Shot

The protective ability of influenza vaccines depends primarily on the
closeness of the match between the vaccine virus and the epidemic
virus, so the presence of non reactive H3N2 SIV variants suggests that
current commercial vaccines might not effectively protect pigs from
infection with a majority of H3N2 viruses. The current vaccine against
the seasonal influenza strain H1N1 is thought unlikely to provide
protection. The director of CDC's National Center for Immunization and
Respiratory Diseases said that the United States' cases were found to
be made up of genetic elements from four different flu viruses—North
American swine influenza, North American avian influenza, human
influenza A virus subtype H1N1, and swine influenza virus typically
found in Asia and Europe.

What You Can Do to Prevent Swine Flu?

There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy.

* 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, especially after you
cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.

Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

* 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 focus on becoming a healthy
'you'.

Natural Remedy

Homeopathy Remedies for Swine Flu

Why Homeopathy?

Homeopathy was very successful in dealing with the 1918-19 flu
pandemic. Here is a quote from the famous historian Julian Winston:

Perhaps the most recent use of homeopathy in a major epidemic was
during the Influenza Pandemic of 1918. The Journal of the American
Institute for Homeopathy, May, 1921, had a long article about the use
of homeopathy in the flu epidemic. Dr. T A McCann, from Dayton, Ohio,
reported that 24,000 cases of flu treated allopathically had a
mortality rate of 28.2% while 26,000 cases of flu treated
homeopathically had a mortality rate of 1.05%. This last figure was
supported by Dean W.A. Pearson of Philadelphia (Hahnemann College) who
collected 26,795 cases of flu treated with homeopathy with the above
result.

The most common remedy used was Gelsemium, with occasional cases
needing Bryonia and Eupatorium reported. Dr. Herbert A. Roberts from
Derby, CT, said that 30 physicians in Connecticut responded to his
request for data. They reported 6,602 cases with 55 deaths, which is
less than 1%. Dr. Roberts was working as a physician on a troop ship
during WWI. He had 81 cases of flu on the way over to Europe. He
reported, "All recovered and were landed. Every man received
homeopathic treatment. One ship lost 31 on the way."

http://www.hpathy.com/papersnew/winston-homeopathy-epidemics.asp



Homeopathic Remedies

Considering that the Swine Flu virus produces symptoms similar to the
human influenza virus, the following homeopathy medicines may prove
useful in cases of swine influenza:

#Gelsemium. [Gels]
This remedy corresponds to the commencement of the trouble, when the
patient is weak, tired and aches throughout the body. It removes
speedily the intense aching and muscular soreness. There is constant
chilliness and the patient hugs the fire; the fever is less acute than
that of Aconite, and the cough is hard and painful. There are
paroxysms of sneezing with excoriating discharge, and great torpor and
apathy. An extensive experience with this remedy in the great Epidemic
of 1918 proved its usefulness. Simple cases were speedily cured.
Aconite will sometimes prove the better remedy for children, but the
drug will never be a prominent one in influenza. Still it may be
prescribed when indicated; it will, perhaps, soothe and moderate the
subsequent attack, but its action is not quick here as in simple
fevers, as we have to do with a blood affection.

#Baptisia.
Influenza with marked gastro-intestinal symptoms may need this remedy,
especially when there are present putrid diarrhoea stools. Clarke
considers this remedy the nearest specific for the disease; he prefers
the 30th potency. Hughes also praises it, but uses it in the 1x and 2x
dilutions, which seem to have more extensive testimony as to their
efficacy.

#Eupatorium perfoliatum.
This remedy has much soreness and aching of the entire body;
hoarseness and cough, with great soreness of the larynx and upper
respiratory tract. Coryza with thirst and drinking causes vomiting.
The cough is a very shattering one, hurts the head and chest, and as
in Drosera, the patient holds the chest with the hands. The breakbone
pains are characteristic of the remedy. Add to these symptoms acute
bilious derangements, and it is all the more indicated. Many
physicians rely on this remedy in influenza / flu almost exclusively
in the early stages.

#Sabadilla. [Sabad]
Sneezing is the great keynote of this remedy. Sneezing and
lachrymation on going into the open air. The throat is swollen and the
pain is worse on empty swallowing; the sneezing is excessive, shaking
the whole body. Shudderings, with gooseflesh chills creeping upwards,
are also prominent symptoms. Frontal headache, dryness of mouth,
without thirst and cough, worse on lying down, are additional
symptoms. It suits well many cases of the catarrhal form of flu; other
remedies having sneezing are Cyclamen and Euphorbia.

#Arsenicum. [Ars]
This remedy covers more phases of flu than perhaps any other remedy.
Hughes believes that it will cut short an attack, especially when
there is a copious flow, prostration and paroxysmal coryza. Its
periodicity makes it suitable to epidemics, and it suits the early
symptoms when the affection is in the upper portion of the respiratory
tract. The burning dryness and copious watery excoriating secretion
and the involvement of the conjunctiva are unmistakable indications.
Langour and prostration are prominent symptoms.

#Arsenicum iodide.
Chills, flushes of heat and severe fluent coryza, discharge irritating
and corrosive, sneezing and prostration. It corresponds to true
influenza and is highly recommended by Hale. Sanguinaria nitrate is
especially valuable when the trachea and larynx are affected.
Phytolacca. Specific when the throat is inflamed and spotty, with
great hardness and tenderness of the glands.

#Dulcamara. [Dulc]
This is one of our best remedies in the acute form; the eyes are
suffused, the throat is sore and the cough hurts because of the
muscular soreness. If brought on by damp, cold changes in the weather,
so much the surer is Dulcamara indicated.

#Bryonia.
The trouble here is largely bronchial and going down. When a person is
very grumpy and feels miserable with the flu, wanting only to lie
still and be left alone, this remedy is likely to be useful. Headache,
muscle aches, and cough or stomach pain may be the major symptoms.
Everything feels worse from even the slightest motion. The person’s
mouth usually is dry, with a thirst for long cold drinks.

#Phosphorus may be indicated, especially when the trouble moves
towards the chest. It is a very useful remedy for the debility
following la grippe, as it is usually of the pure nervous type. It is
the great post-influenza "tonic."

#Rhus toxicodendron. [Rhus-t]
Influenza, with severe aching in all the bones, sneezing and coughing.
The cough is worse evenings and is caused by a tickling behind the
upper part of the sternum. Especially is it useful in cases brought on
by exposure to dampness. There is much prostration and depression, and
the patient may have some symptoms which are suspicious as pointing
towards typhoid fever, such as burning tongue, stupor and delirium.
Aching pains, nightly restlessness are keynotes symptoms. Causticum,
like both Rhus and Eupatorium, has a tired, sore, bruised sensation
all over the body and soreness in the chest when coughing, but it has
in addition involuntary urination when coughing.

#Allium cepa. [All-c]
Profuse catarrhal coryza; the nose runs freely, there is sneezing,
irritability cough, the face is swollen and looks inflamed. Camphora.
This remedy is often sufficient at the outset to cut short an attack,
or at least modify the severity.

#Sticta. [Stict]
Nasal catarrh; headache, thirst, nightly expectoration, great watering
of eyes,running at nose, hoarseness of voice, frontal headache and
depression of whole system. Tuberculous subjects attacked by
influenza. "There is no better remedy," says Dr. Fornias,"for the
incessant wearing, racking cough of this class of patients."
Tuberculinum is an excellent prevention of recurring attacks of
influenza / flu in those who have annual attacks.

#Ipecac
Adapted to cases where the gastric symptoms predominate; tongue clean
or slightly coated. Nausea: with profuse saliva; vomiting of white,
glairy mucus in large quantities, without relief; sleepy afterwards;
worse from stooping. Low thirst. Cough: dry spasmodic, constricted,
asthmatic. Difficult breathing from least exercise; violent dyspnoea,
with wheezing and anxiety about the stomach. Cough, with rattling of
mucus in bronchi when inspiring; threatened suffocation from mucus.
Pains as if bones were all torn to pieces.

#Veratrum album
Adapted to diseases with rapid sinking of the vital forces; complete
prostration; collapse. Cold perspiration on the forehead (over entire
body, Tab. ); with nearly all complaints. Thirst: intense,
unquenchable, for large quantities of very cold water and acid drinks;
wants everything cold. Diarrhoea: frequent, greenish, watery, gushing:
mixed with flakes: cutting colic, with cramps commencing in hands and
feet and spreading all over; prostrating, after fright; < least
movement; with vomiting, cold sweat on forehead during and prostration
after. Vomiting: excessive with nausea and great prostration: < by
drinking ( Ars. ); by least motion ( Tab. ); great weakness after.



The Current Swine Flu Epidemic or Possible Influenza Pandemic

It has been reported that in the current Swine influenza epidemic, the
gastrointestinal symptoms (Nausea, Vomiting) are pronounced.
Considering this remedies like Baptisia, Arsenic-album or Ipecac may
work as Genus epidemicus or as prophylactic treatment for the current
Swine influenza epidemic.

How to differentiate in these flu medicines?

If the patient has mild flu like symptoms (runny nose and watery eyes
etc) but no other peculiar symptom but is anxious if it might be swine
flu - think about Aconite.

If the flu patient is listless, prostrated, indifferent, has offensive
diarrhoea and the parts rested upon feel sore and bruised - think
about Baptisia.

If the flu patient is restless, anxious or fearful, thirsty but drinks
small quantity and often, prostrated, diarrhoea after eating or
drinking and nausea on seeing/smelling food, burning pains - think
about Arsenicum-album.

If the nausea is more pronounced, the patient is thirstless and has
pain felt in bones - think about Ipecac.

If the gastrointestinal symptoms are not marked but the patient has
deep pains as if bones are aching - think about Eupatorium perf.

If the flu patient is feeling dull, dizzi, drowsy, has low thirst,
feels chilly, esp in back - think about Gelsemium.

Lessons from the 1918/1919 Flu Pandemic

Many people believe that the current virus strain matches closely to
the 1918/1919 flu pandemic, although it is not exactly alike.

In the 1918/1919 flu pandemic, people without symptoms could be
stricken suddenly and within hours be too weak to walk; many died the
next day. Symptoms included a blue tint to the face and coughing up
blood caused by severe obstruction of the lungs. In some cases, the
virus caused an uncontrollable hemorrhaging that filled the lungs, and
patients drowned in their body fluids (pneumonia). In others, the flu
caused frequent loss of bowel control and the victim would die from
losing critical intestinal lining and blood loss.

If such symptoms present themselves in the current pandemic, the
remedies that may prove useful would be Arsenic-album, Cantharis,
Phosphorus, Cuprum-met, Camphora, Veratrum-album, Ipecac or Carbo-veg.

Ars-alb, Phosphorus, Ipecac and Carbo-veg may seem to have a more
pronounced action on lungs/respiratory symptoms in the above mentioned
symptom group. Cantahris, Phosphorus, and Carbo-veg seem to cover the
bloody stools better. Camphor and Verat-alb cover the acute collapse
with bluish discoloration better.

Dr Dharmesh Varsani
Homoeopathic Centre,
221,landmark complex,
Astron chowk,
Rajkot.

This is great, Nick. Thanks...my only issue is that this particular strain of H1N1 is NOT caused by pigs but by humans. I am so saddened at the ignorant slaughter of pigs throughout the world because of this misinformation...it should really called the "people flu", not the "swine flu" Poor little piggies!

Andrea

This article was sent to me by a homeopath in India - I thought that I would share it with the group...Misinformation and public ignorance will always be a challenge, especially for us.

Nick, would you be okay if I posted your note on my blog this week. Last week I discussed the politics around swine flu and this would be a great follow-up...I will give you credit for it, of course. Please let me know.

Love,
Andrea

Okay, I haven't heard any protest about this...I am going to post this on my blog this morning. It is really useful and a good Part Deux to the first part I posted last week.

I will source it to Dr Varsani

Have a great day!
Andrea