Naturopathic Medical Advice
for the H1N1 virus

By DR. Kathleen Mercer B Sc., N.D.

I write this article right in the midst of the H1N1 hysteria of October 2009. H1N1 is currently all around us, in the media, in our minds, conversations and our workplace. Our community is in a panic that I haven’t seen in my professional life until this time. It appears to me that since 9/11, our societal theme is one of fear based decision-making. This H1N1 issue fits into this theme. There are some important pieces of information that seem to be missing in the media and from our public health system regarding H1N1. The majority of people who already have, or will contract the H1N1 virus, will tolerate it well, having a high fever, malaise, and headache for 3-5 days. Historically, if we observe earlier pandemic influenza outbreaks, severe illness and mortality occur in individuals with a current respiratory illness. Research also shows, that for previously healthy individuals, severe illness and mortality occur for individuals who contract a secondary bacterial infection in conjunction with the virus. With this awareness, health care practitioners, as well as the lay person, can look for signs of the original virus appearing to get worse after the 3rd or 4th day, with the presentation of upper respiratory symptoms - cough, sore throat and shortness of breath. These cases can then be treated for bacterial infection. There also seems to be a connection with the severity of the viral presentation and dehydration. With this knowledge, we can be more diligent about ensuring ourselves and our children are well hydrated during the illness. Vaccinations – major decision making Some major concerns regarding the vaccine include the speed in which it has been produced and put out on the market without any long-term studies, the ingredients in the vaccination, some of which has been controversial for quite some time, as well as the public policy to vaccinate a whole country. My feeling is that most healthy individuals will tolerate the illness fine and therefore would not need a vaccination. There are certain individuals in the population that the risks of getting the illness outweigh the risks in getting the vaccination, and in these cases, the vaccination could be given. •Homeopathic Remedy: Arnica Montana 200 C - this remedy is used for shock and trauma and will assist your body handle the vaccination easier. •Spirulina: 1000mg 3 x day on day of vaccine and 3 days post vaccine. This helps your body handle the carriers and fixatives in the vaccination. Continue with the below recommendations even if you are vaccinated. There are many unknowns regarding how this virus will affect our community, and it is in times like these that I am reminded of the importance of common sense combined with a little intuition. This type of reminder brings me back to the basics of my Naturopathic Medical training; first do no harm, doctor as teacher, and that the body has the ability to heal itself. With these things in mind we can apply some of the following ideas: For prevention of viral and bacterial infection: • Vitamin C: 1000mg 3 x day • Vit D3: 1000IU 3 x day with food • Spirulina: 1000mg 2 x day with food • Ensure warm water hand washing often throughout the day. • Avoid allowing your hands to touch your face/mouth. • Drink at least 1.5 litres of room temperature water per day. • Drink plenty of hot, clear beverages daily, including herbal teas, lemon water and clear broth soups. • Increase herbs in your food, including rosemary, thyme, oregano. • Practice a salt water gargle and saline nasal rinse each morning upon waking and each evening before going to bed. Salt water rinsing helps to prevent microbes from proliferating in the mucous membranes in the throat/nose and sinus areas. • Deep breathing exercises • Maintain a healthy exercise regime: generally 30-45 minutes of cardiovascular exercise 5 x per week. • Avoid and decrease stress and worry • Avoid processed sugar • Ensure plenty of sleep. Try to be in bed by 10:30-11:00. According to Chinese Medicine, this is the time that your immune system’s defense moves inward toward the core of the body and therefore leaving your body with a decreased immune defense against external pathogens (bacteria/virus’) If you become ill: •Continue most of regime listed above. (Avoid cardiovascular exercise) •Allow for a slight increase in your temperature as this is one of the body’s methods of killing of the pathogen. Watch for high temperatures, and record your temperature. •Echinacea/Goldenseal: 30 drops (or 2 capsules) 5 x day. •Homeopathic Combination: Oscillococcinum: 1 vile 3 x day. •If you know your constitutional Homeopathic Remedy, this is the remedy that you apply at first sign of illness. •Stay home and rest to help your body fight off the infection as well as to help avoid spreading to others. •Ensure hydration by drinking plenty of water, clear hot fluids, popsicles, electrolyte balancing drink (1/2 cup orange juice, 1 pinch of salt, 1 pinch of baking soda. Follow this with 1/2 banana) •Be aware of the potential for a secondary bacterial infection occurring if your symptoms are not improving by the 3-5 day mark. If your have a combination of some of the following symptoms, it is important that you contact your Medical Doctor: •high temperature •shortness of breath •extreme weakness •disorientation •vomiting •severe headache My goal as a Naturopathic Physician, in this current crisis, is to support the body’s own healing process, work on prevention of disease and to educate the public. If you would like to go over the specifics of any of the above recommendations, please contact me for a consultation. Take Good Care. Dr. Kathleen Mercer B. Sc. N.D. Pine Bud Chiropractic Clinic 25 Allendale Road, St. John's Nl Phone:709 722-4232 Back to Articles

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