H1N1 Flu Virus and Chinese Herbal Medicine
By Danielle Melanson, LAc., Dipl. OM
We have all been hearing stories of H1N1 and there is much concern about a possible pandemic this winter. Though many clinical and epidemiological questions remain, we know more now about the virus than we did in the Spring of 2009. The World Health Organization has tracked the virus around the world since the original cases in April of this year. This is what we know for sure. Flu Season in the United States normally happens between the Fall and Winter months, or October through March. Peaks can occur in the months of November and February. We can think of Flu Season as having 3 distinct phases – Prevention, Initial exposure and Exposure Engaged.
Chinese herbal medicine has historically been very effective in treating viral infections, even new strains. If we remember back to the SARS outbreak of 2003 in China it was the use of thousand year old herbal formulas that treated not only infected patients, but protected health care professionals from contracting the virus. The media story fizzled out soon after the story began – because the outbreak was indeed contained.
As a Chinese herbal medicine practitioner I help patients during all three phase. 1. Prevention (building up the Wei Qi / immune system) 2. Initial Exposure (Strengthen the Zheng Qi to fight the pathogen before it contracts deeper into organ tissues, and 3. Exposure Engaged (Nourish Constitutional Qi to restore and regulate the body’s immune response.)
The CDC states that symptoms for H1N1 flu are to be considered, "similar to the regular strain of human flu." Symptoms can include, fever, sore throat, chills, cough, rhinorrhea body aches and generalized fatigue. Some patients have reported gastrointestinal symptoms as well. These include, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Of all the symptoms, the two most statistically significant include having a fever and cough to diagnosis the Flu as H1N1.
PREVENTION:
Frequent hand washing is essential. H1N1 can live on a hard surface (countertop) for up to 8 hours. The Flu virus is spread primarily from person to person through respiratory droplets. Droplets coming from a sneeze or cough. Remember if you feel a sneeze or cough coming on the CDC recommends using the crook of your arm at the elbow to sneeze or cough into – not your hands.
If you have been a patient of Chinese Herbal medicine you might be dosing on, Jade Wind Screen, a wonderful formula designed to build immunity. This formula is most effective if used 6-10 weeks prior to Flu Season.
PATHOGENESIS:
H1N1 virus incubation time seems to be 1-4 days after exposure and can go as long as 7 full days. An adult is contagious for about 24 hours after their fever has dropped below 100F/38C without the use of fever reducing drugs. Children can be contagious much longer, up to one week after their fever has lowered.
INITIAL EXPOSURE:
There will be a window of time to kill the virus before it reaches full strength usually 2 days after exposure. Depending on presenting symptoms I will be able to prescribe a Chinese Herbal Formula either in pill form OR a tea. The formula accompanied by an Acupuncture treatment will help stop the virus from growing into full strength while symptoms remain mild.
EXPOSURE ENGAGED:
Once an infection has developed into the Engaged phase–the Initial Exposure formulas are of limited use. At this phase the virus has probably attached to the tissue of the lung, where it is protected and can gain strength. During this stage the body’s immune response is using up our vital energy or Qi. As a practitioner of Chinese Herbal medicine I will look for symptoms to include; racing pulse, a higher fever, chest oppression with a mild cough, muscle aches, loss of appetite and severe fatigue. Formulas during the Exposure Engaged are designed to restore the immune system, relieve symptoms and rid the pathogen out of the lung tissue. Many of these formulas will be combined with the Initial Phase formulas to assist in forcing the virus out.
Please know all Chinese herbal formulas are safe for children as well.
EMERGENCY CONDITIONS:
If a patient is in critical condition he or she should be admitted to a hospital to be closely monitored. Symptoms include; difficulty breathing, pain in the chest or abdomen, confusion, persistent vomiting, sudden dizziness. In children we watch for trouble breathing or fast breathing, a blue'ish skin tone, not drinking enough fluids, fever with a rash, lethargy, not wanting to be held.
If you or someone you love is showing signs of the Seasonal Flu or the novel H1N1 Flu do not hesitate to make an appointment for a consultation.
Most insurance accepted.
Danielle Melanson LAc., Dipl. OM
Licensed Acupuncturist
Board Certified Chinese Herbalist.
References
1 Lui, Guohui, M. Med., LAc., “Swine Flu and the Classics”, 10/24/09, Portland, OR
2 Heuertz, John, DOM, Herbal Press Medicine, 2009.,
3 http://who.int/scrs/don/2009_08_12/en
4 http//www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/