Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors Patient Information on the H1N1 Flu Virus [Human Swine Influenza] (Swine Flu)

H1N1 Flu Virus [Human Swine Influenza] Background

H1N1 Flu Virus [Human Swine Influenza] refers to influenza cases that are caused by
Orthomyxoviruses endemic to pig populations. H1N1 flu infects people every year and is found typically in people who have been in contact with pigs, although there have been cases of person-to-person transmission. There is no research that can predict who is at risk and who is not. What the history of previous Influenza pandemics has indicated is that patients who had the greatest mortality were those whose immune system over-reacted after the initial Influenza virus infection.

Signs and Symptoms
Following are the signs and symptoms most commonly associated with H1N1:
• Symptoms are similar to those of regular human flu and include fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, disorientation, chills and fatigue

Some people have also reported:
• Stiffness of the joints, diarrhea and vomiting

In children emergency warning signs requiring urgent medical attention include:
• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish skin color
• Lack of thirst resulting in not drinking enough fluids
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and a worse cough
• Fever with a rash

In adults, emergency warning signs requiring urgent medical attention include:
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Sudden dizziness or confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting

How does H1N1 spread?
• Spread of H1N1 happens mainly from person-to-person in the same way that seasonal flu spreads, i.e., through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
• Infected people may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to seven or more days after becoming sick.

For more information about the H1N1 flu virus: refer to the Ontario Ministry of Health

Naturopathic Preventive Strategies, What's in it for me?

The following strategies are beneficial in the prevention of diseases such as H1N1 Flu Virus:

Hygiene
• Cover nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Throw the tissue in the trash after using it.
• Cough or sneeze into sleeve or jacket of bent arm rather than into closed fist or open hand.
• Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after a cough or sneeze.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth.

Avoid close contact with sick people
• Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing by infected people.
• If sick stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Lifestyle
• Ensure adequate rest
• Wash hands with soap frequently during the day
• Do deep breathing exercises
• Walk and do stretching exercises to boost the immune system (Note: Extreme aerobic exercises and weight training are best minimized if you have any of the above symptoms)
• Dry skin brushing and contrast showers are useful to support optimal lymphatic system function
• Remember that ‘emotional’ stress, fear and worry can depress the immune system
• Allow a mild to moderate fever. A fever of 1-3 degrees above normal core body temperature (37.5 degrees Celsius) has a profound effect on immune modulation and optimizes the healing response

If you or someone you know is experiencing a new/worse cough, shortness of breath, are feeling feverish, and/or have had shakes or chills in the last 24 hours, and have traveled within the last seven days to an infected area, or have been in contact with a sick person, contact a naturopathic doctor or other health care professional immediately.
Ask your naturopathic doctor what you can to do to prevent and/or manage swine flu influenza virus.
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For more information, or to find a naturopathic doctor near you, visit www.cand.ca.
CAND Patient Handout - H1N1 Flu Virus [Human Swine Influenza] April 2009

Health Tips - Cold and Flu

1. To fight off a cold or flu use warming socks. Get a knee-high pair of cotton socks and a pair of wool socks. Soak the cotton socks in cold water, wring them out and then put them on your feet. Put the wool socks on top and then go to bed. The body will respond by warming the feet, thus draining the congestion from the head.

2. When you are coming down with a cold or the flu get plenty of rest and relaxation. Allow time for your body to heal. Eat warm, cooked food and drink plenty of warm liquids. Avoid dairy and sugar.

3. To reduce a fever drink a couple of glasses of water, apply cold wet compress to the forehead and chest and take a long tepid bath or sponge bath. Rest, drink plenty of fluids and limit food intake until the fever breaks. Fevers below 39C (102F) are seen as “friendly” and a reaction of the body to eliminate toxins.
Remember: fevers are one of the most important defenses our body has against disease. The intention of a fever is to raise the temperature of the body to create uncomfortable living conditions for bacteria and viruses (i.e. “to cook the bugs”).
In order to build a healthy and strong immune system, it is extremely important to support the body’s natural immune defenses – fevers should be encouraged, not suppressed.

4. To aid the elimination of toxins through the skin induce perspiration by taking long hot baths, using an infrared sauna or steam room. Increasing perspiration through the skin is one of the safest and most effective ways of eliminating toxins.

Cold & Flu: Feeling under the weather? Honey Ginger Lemon Tea

Are you starting to feel like you are going to catch a cold or that you may be coming down with a virus? Here is a Tea that you can make that tastes good and will help boost your body's immune system to resist the cold.


Honey Ginger Lemon Tea:
This tea is great at the beginning of a cold or the flu, particularly when you have a sore throat and/or cough. This remedy is soothing and has a warming effect. Lemon is abundant in vitamin C, which enhances the immune system and has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. Ginger helps in enhancing circulation, lowering body temperature and is good for the digestion. Honey provides the body with anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties and yields quick energy.


Recipe: Grate a 1-1.5cm piece of ginger. Add 1-2 tsp honey. Pour in 1 cup of boiling water. Add fresh squeezed juice from 1/2 lemon and mix (You can add more or less of each ingredient to you your own taste). Sip before bed and you can also drink this tea throughout the day whenever you feel like it.

You may also want to supplement with extra vitamin C capsules to help boost your immune system to fight off the cold. It is safe to take up to 6 grams of vitamin C in divided doses throughout the day. For an adult your body can absorb about 1000mg of Vitamin C at one time.

Detox your Body: Add Lemon to your water

A good rule of thumb is to drink 8 glasses of water a day.

Many feel that drinking 8 glasses of water is difficult to do, because it is not palatable for them. So, to make water taste better - I add a slice of lemon to my glass of water.

Here are the benefits of lemons:

• The sourness of lemon juice stimulates the production of stomach acid (HCL) which helps digest your food (tip: drink a glass of lemon water 15 - 30 minutes prior to your meals)
• Good source of potassium, an  in alkaline mineral, and therefore increases your pH levels in your organ tissues (making your body more alkaline).
• Good source of vitamin C, an antioxidant which helps boost your immune system and helps prevent tumor growth
• Plus, it tastes great!

Fact: the liver does most of its actions at night; the liver is known to be our detoxification organ. Therefore, it may be beneficial to also drink a glass of lemon water at night prior to bed, to stimulate the liver.