Alternatives and Considerations to the Flu Vaccine.
What if you choose not to take the influenza vaccine and are wary of someone of side effects of the influenza vaccine? There are safe and effective homeopathic remedies for the flu that may help to stave off flu or reduce its severity. Homeopathy is a branch of medicine that is over two hundred years old. It has been safely and effectively used by millions of patients from mild illnesses like influenza to major epidemics like Typhoid and Cholera.
The flu vaccine is prepared from the fluids of chick embryos and the virus in the vaccine is inactivated with formaldehyde and preserved with Thimerosal a mercury derivative. Every year, federal health agency officials try to guess which three flu strains are most likely to be prevalent in the U.S. the following year to determine which strains will be included in next year's flu vaccine. If they guess right, the vaccine is thought to be 70 to 80 percent effective in temporarily preventing the flu of the season in healthy persons less than 65 years old. For those over 65 years old, the efficacy rate drops to 30 to 40% but the vaccine is thought to be 50 to 60% effective in preventing hospitalization and pneumonia and 80% effective in preventing death from the flu. However, sometimes health officials do not correctly predict which flu strains will be most prevalent and the vaccine's effectiveness is much lower for that year.
What are contraindications to the flu vaccine? Among high risk factors listed by the CDC and the vaccine manufacturers are anyone who:
(1) is sick with a fever;
(2) has an impaired immune system;
(3) has an egg allergy;
(4) has a mercury allergy;
(5) has a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome.
Pregnant women should be aware that the flu vaccine contains Thimerosal, which is a mercury derivative. Mercury is toxic to the brain and has been found to be associated with brain damage and developmental delays in babies whose mothers were exposed to high levels of mercury during pregnancy. In 1999, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) directed the vaccine manufacturers to take mercury out of all childhood vaccines. In October 2001, the Institute of Medicine issued a report that said it is "biologically plausible" that mercury-containing vaccines could cause injury to the brain but there have been too few scientific studies conducted to prove conclusively that mercury in vaccines has caused brain damage.
Though it is somewhat difficult to suggest a particular remedy for an illness, because the essence of homeopathy is to prescribe on the unique symptoms of the patients; however, with the concern about the flu season it is worthwhile to offer some alternatives. Homeopathic remedies, offer an action which is similar to the illness condition; in sum, like cures like. The following remedies can be helpful, though the best way to get the most accurate remedy is to see your local board certified homeopath. At the first sign of the flu, a common remedy is oscillicoccinium which has been demonstrated in studies more effective than placebos. Take one capsule under your tongue every three hours for two days. In addition, for adults drink up to two quarts of water, soup, and fluids daily. I also add as much as 2,000mg of Vitamin C on a daily basis.
Another common remedy for the flu is Gelsemium. In homeopathy we look at what is the remedy picture of the personS<caron> Gelsemium is for a person who feels tired, weak, heavy, sick feel, and wants to be left alone. Their face appears dull and lacking in expression. A key feature is the chills that run up and down the spine with fevers. Most often, the patient clearly strikes you as "a classic flu picture." There is also much aching and joint pain.
With the remedy Bryonia the person is worse with moving. He is irritable. They feel better when they are lying still. They have joint and muscle aches that are worse with motion. Headache is also a common Bryonia symptom. Touching, eating, and talking may also make the headaches worse. Bryonia patients feel generally worse in warm rooms and better in cool air. They may have an intense thirst for cold drinks. A dry hacking cough may accompany the symptoms.
Rhus Tox. types of flu are very restless. Their muscles become stiff and achy if they lie still for any period of time. Trying to move after a period of rest causes the worst pain for a Rhus Patient. The patient may be unable to sleep, because it is so uncomfortable. Rhus Tox patients are likely to be chilly in cold, wet weather and better in warm weather and better with heat. The patients tend to be thirsty and have profuse sweating, dry mouth, and lips, dry sore throat. Hoarseness often accompanies the general symptoms.
Severe aching and pain deep inside the bones is the characteristic of Eupatorium Perfoliatum. There is a bruised soreness in the body and the bones and especially in the back. A sudden nasal discharge with sneezing and redness in the eyes may precede the onset of these symptoms and they are particularly thirst.
In terms of dose, for adults I recommend 30 C of the remedy on the first day and see how the person responds. If necessary I might repeat it again later in that day. If the remedy is working, it will usually work soon, and you will feel better. I might repeat that on a daily basis until the symptoms resolve, usually in forty-eight hours, if you get the right remedy. The dose is five pellets. If you buy it at the Co-op it is in the Boiron blue tubes. It is important, to put the pellets under your tongue, let them dissolve and avoid, mint, toothpaste with mint, coffee, and aromatherapy oils.
It is also important to make sure that all you have is the flu. Though the majority of times, if you1ve had the flu once, you will know what it is like again. However, if you are having persistent fevers and are not responding to home care measures, see your health care provider for further advice.
I would suggest an excellent home health book by Cummings and Ullman, Homecare with Homeopathic Medicine as a guide. Some of these remedies can be purchased at your local health food store. Or, if you can order it `Homeopathy Overnight I 800 Arnica30.
In addition do the common sense measures: Rest, drink fluids, take your homeopathic remedy, and be well soon. Health care consumers need to be aware of the down side of any and all medications they take. If you choose to take a flu vaccine do so as an informed consumer. However, safe alternatives to the flu vaccine exist like homeopathy that had a dramatic efficacy in the Influenza epidemic of 1919. The best way to get the most appropriate homeopathic prescription is with a board certified homeopath. If symptoms persist and do not resolved, seek medical attention.
T.Namaya FNP, CCH, RS HOM (NA)- Is a Homeopath, FNP, and writer