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Flu
Watch - Winter 2002/3 presented
by Domenick J. Masiello, D.O., D.Ht.
http://www.integral-med.com
I am fairly
confident that this information will be applicable nationwide and
maybe even worldwide due to the large amount of international travel
(influenza originates in Asia and travels west). I will update this as
often as it becomes necessary during the winter.
Final update -
March 2003
EASTERN
UNITED STATES:
AUTUMN
2002
(October-November)
As usual it is much
too early for flu in the Northeast United States and cases of viral
syndromes have been light for the past 6 weeks. However, two distinct
modalities have become evident so far this fall.
Arsenicum
Album - this variant starts with fever, chills,
body aches and quickly turns into a gastrointestinal nightmare with
nausea, vomiting and often diarrhea at the same time. There is desire
for hot drinks either before or after the vomiting has stopped and the
need for fresh air .
Gelsemium
- this type starts with a mild, scratchy throat, fever, some chills and
a profound weariness complicated by body aches and headaches. The sore
throat is short-lived (about 24 hours) and quickly transformed into a
head cold with sinus congestion and/or a chest cold. There is little
thirst either during of after the fever. So far there has emerged one
sub-type of this Gelsemium
cold and that is the Eupatorium
Perfoliatum variety. This sub-type is further
characterized by the dull, muscular pain settling in the eyes. The head
pain is worse from just moving the eyes and there is little thirst.
Both these major
types of viral syndromes can be rapidly ameliorated by the addition of Influenzinum
Triple (Ainsworth). Give one dose of the 1M
potency at the onset of the condition and then continue with whatever
remedy fits the picture. This method was used by John Clarke for
treating influenza and I have found it quite useful for these viral
syndrome as well.
REMEDIES:
Additional Remedy:
Influenzinum
Triple
from Ainsworths
WINTER 2002
(December)
December has been
continuation of the same patterns seen in October and November. The
Gelsemium
variation has been more common by a three to one ration over the
Arsenicum Album
variation. Actual influenza has not arrived yet this year. Patients who
missed the window of opportunity being treated with Gelsemium have gone
on to require several doses of
Kali Bichromicum to help clear a
persistent post nasal drip and a pharyngeal cough.
Influenza Triple 1M (Ainsworth)
works very well as a prophylactic this season's upper respiratory virus.
Happy and Healthy Holidays.
(January)
Every so often,
about every 10 years in my experience, there is no epidemicus remedy for
winter viral syndromes. Such is the case right now. While there has been
a continuation of the
Arsenicum Album viral gastroenteritis with
vomiting and diarrhea,
Gelsemium has pretty much dropped out of the
picture. In its place has come a wide variety of indicated remedies for
sinusitis-pharyngitis-bronchitis-otitis. Remedies needed have
Mercurius vivus
(for otitis media with ruptured ear drum),
Kali bichromicum,
Bryonia,
Lachesis,
Sticta,
Sulphur.
In short there is currently no pattern and no actual influenza to speak
of. Most likely another pattern will not emerge this winter so you must
rely on your prescribing skills to get through to the spring. Good luck
and good health!
(February - March)
The lack of an
epidemicus remedy this winter continues. There have been many cases of
viral, upper respiratory infections but no reliable pattern has
emerged. Remedies being used in the past several weeks include
Arsenicum Album, Gelsemium,
Bryonia, Lachesis, Kali Bichromicum, and
Rhus Tox.
There have been some actual influenza cases: sore throat, runny nose,
cough, high persistent fevers (up to 103 F), chills, body aches and
profound prostration. Unfortunately, there are not enough cases to see
a pattern. These influenza cases have responded to
Arsenicum Album, Gelsemium,
Belladonna, Lachesis and
Arnica.
REMEDIES:
The World Health
Organization has issued a health alert regarding Severe Acute
Respiratory Syndrome. So far the cases have been limited to China,
Vietnam,Hong Kong, Indonesia, the Philippines,and Singapore. In China
there have been 305 cases reported with 5 fatalities recorded. Some
cases have been reported in Canada in people returning from trips to
Southeast Asia. There is not enough information available yet to even
speculate what the homeopathic treatment might be. We do know that
patients very rapidly develop a severe bilateral pneumonia, high
fever, cough, difficulty breathing, headache, body aches and require
being placed on a respirator. There is also a marked decrease in white
blood cells and platelets. At present it is unknown if this atypical
pneumonia is caused by a bacterium or a virus. This CDC link will help
you stay advised of any new updates:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/
Please Note: I would add this
caution - the epidemicus remedy will work when the condition is caught
early. Neglected cases may require different remedies. Also, strep
throat almost always rides along the influenza wave so a high fever with
a sore throat should not be neglected.
Domenick J.
Masiello, D.O., D.Ht.
420 East 51st Street
Suite B
New York, NY 10022
Phone 212-688-4818
Fax 212-888-6395
http://www.integral-med.com
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