Vaccination

Despite an increasing number of flu vaccinations, there is no proof that the seasonal flu vaccine confers any protection by reducing the number of cases, deaths or complications, especially in the elderly and young children.

·         A recent Canadian study showed that people who received the seasonal flu vaccine were TWICE as likely to get the swine flu. 

·         In Australia, where the flu season has just passed, there were 131 H1N1 deaths out of 22 million people.  Australia did not use a vaccine against H1N1.

Adjuvants such as thimerosol (mercury) and aluminum are added to the vaccinations to increase the production of antibodies, but may trigger autoimmune reactions, cause complications in people with current diseases such as Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue syndrome, and are damaging to the immune system and nervous system.

Vaccination Preparation: things you can do to minimize the potential for adverse sequelae.  First, strengthen your immune system by following the instructions in the Flu Prevention section.  Also, not taking the Swine Flu and seasonal flu vaccines together may help you and your immune system.  Vaccinate now against Swine Flu and wait until later in the season to vaccinate against seasonal flu.

Absolute Risks and Contraindications to Vaccination: Routine vaccination should be deferred during an acute febrile illness, with eczema or any acute skin rash, or if undergoing immunotherapy.  Vaccination should be avoided if the person is allergic to any vaccine component (note: some vaccines are cultured on chicken eggs), has an altered immunity, immunodeficiency, or previous history of significant adverse reaction to vaccinations.

Vaccination Sequelae:  symptoms of an adverse reaction to a vaccination may be short-term and limited or long term.  Short-term symptoms include mild fever, joint pain and body aches.  Long term issues include a weakened immune system or autoimmune diseases. 

·         Homeopathic remedies can be helpful in correcting the damage caused by vaccination

o   Thuja: vaccination illness, high fever, diarrhea; Antimonium tartaricum if Thuja fails

o   Vaccininum: vaccination illness with inflammation & oozing

o   Silica: nervous affections, even convulsions after vaccination

·         Herbs that are helpful strengthen weakened systems and calm autoimmune conditions.  These herbs include astragalus, gotu kola, rhodiola, ashwagandha, and schizandra.  The use of Cilantro and Chlorella for detoxification of mercury is popular, but unsubstantiated.

·         Useful nutrients include those that support the immune system, as well as those that help the body to regulate inflammation and detoxify the adjuvants.  A good diet, full of a variety of colored vegetables, healthy oils, and sources of protein, along with a good quality multivitamin/multimineral will do most of the work necessary to clear the sequelae and keep the body healthy.  However, there are specific nutrients that can be used to target specific needs, and, in general, Vitamins A, C, and D are particularly potent for keeping the immune system strong.

Flu Prevention

·         Follow hygienic practices such as sneezing into your elbow and washing hands frequently

·         Get plenty of rest and find outlets for stress

·         Get fresh air and exercise to create good circulation of blood and lymph

·         Stop eating sugar in all forms, limit preserved, processed and packaged food

·         Eat a variety of vegetables, protein and healthy oils

·         Take a good quality multivitamin/multimineral, Vitamin C, probiotics, and a concentrated organic berry product such as Verry Berry/Winter Berry. Long term use of vitamin D should be evaluated by blood testing of calcium levels (CMP) and 25-OH Vitamin, however, short-term, high-level dosing of this nutrient should be safe in most people

·         Immunomodulating herbs are helpful during this time and include astragalus, gotu kola, schizandra, ashwagandha and rhodiola

·         Homeopathic prevention

Flu Therapies

·         REST!!!

·         Starve a cold & starve a fever. Keeping hydrated is important, but eating can slow recuperation.  Drink plenty of water and herbal teas, avoid fruit juices.

·         Homeopathy

o   Gelsemium: extreme lethargy, fatigue and shakiness; symptoms grow worse with movement; headache at back of head; muscular soreness in neck and shoulders; alternating sensation of hot and cold; chills

o   Bryonia: irritable, worried and want to be alone; headache in forehead that is better with pressure and worse with motion; uncomfortable feeling of warmth with desire for cool air; extreme thirst for cool drinks

o   Eupatorium: deep bone pain that is worse before and after chills; hoarseness and sore throat; severe cough that hurts the head and chest; thirst; runny nose and stinging tears; bad digestion, stomach pains, constipation, excessive gas that may lead to vomiting.

o   Oscillococcinum: general flu remedy that helps to reduce symptoms and duration

·         Herbs

o   Antiviral herbs such as Garlic, St. John’s Wort, Licorice, Osha and others.

o   Inflammatory modulating herbs such as Echinacea

o   Teas are invaluable as a delivery system for medicine, as well as providing hydration, heat  and can be customized to help with specific complaints.  For example, weak fevers require Yarrow or Ginger, and chest congestion and coughing could use Coltsfoot

·         Hydrotherapy – Warming socks, Constitutional Hydrotherapy, Baths, Enemas, Neti Pots

·         Home therapies – Mustard Plaster, Carrot Poultice