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Flu
Watch - Winter 2004/5
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.
Latest update
EASTERN UNITED STATES:
DECEMBER 2004
Despite the
hysteria created by the shortage of flu vaccine this year, it has been
pretty mild so far. There are sporadic outbreaks of influenza throughout
the United States at this time. The news media is having a grand time of
it as they did last year when the wrong strains were selected and the
flu vaccine was ineffective. Of course, discussions of the next
pandemic, SARS and "bird flu" always come up this time of year despite
the fact that they have no bearing on this year's flu situation. I
suppose they serve the purpose of assuring government funding for
virology labs throughout the US.
For the past two
months there has been the usual upper respiratory and gastrointestinal
syndromes that are common in autumn. There hasn't been an epidemicus
remedy for these conditions, however. I have used
Apis, Arsenicum Album,
Belladonna, Bryonia, Gelsemium, Hepar Sulph., Kali Bichromicum, Kali
Carbonicum, Lachesis, Mercurius Solubilis, Spongia, and Sulphur.
Influenza Triple (Ainsworth) is useful again this year as an
intercurrent remedy for these syndromes, particularly the respiratory
variety.
JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2005
Despite the
hysteria created by the news media in the US, flu has not really been
a problem this year. The eastern US has not seen large outbreaks of
flu. There has been a new California strain which has been identified
this year in the western part of the US, however, it is unlikely to be
a major player this year.
There have been
some bone fide cases of influenza here. While no one remedy seems have
to emerged as epidemicus remedies, there are two major remedies that
have been useful. This years flu seems to be characterized mostly by
profound fatigue and lassitude. It may be accompanied by fever as high
as 103 degrees. Body aches and chills may also be present. The two
remedies are Gelsemium
and Bryonia.
Bryonia patients tend to be worse by movement, irritable and thirsty.
Gelsemium patient are also worse by movement but not irritable, barely
able to pick their heads up off the pillow and are universally
thirstless. Headaches about the forehead and behind the eyes are
common to both types. Prescribing either of this remedies based on
indications within the first 24 hours of presentation leads to rapid
resolution of the flu. The case may be helped this year by one dose of
Influenzinum 200C
along the way. Missed or neglected cases seem to develop a
sinusitis/bronchitis which has required careful repertorization .
These sequellae have responded to a wide variety of remedies such as
Kali Bichromicum,
Hepar Sulph.,
Mercurius Vivus,
Phosphorus,
and Sulphur.
REMEDIES:
Additional Remedy:
Influenza Triple
from Ainsworths
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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