Managing the Flu
The seasonal flu is a viral upper respiratory tract infection. In mild climates, the flu season is from November to March each year. The virus is easily transmitted during the colder winter months due to increased close contact caused by both the weather and lifestyle calendars (school, work, etc). There are 3 types of influenza virus: A, B, and C. Type A is the most dangerous and is responsible for dangerous flu outbreaks.
What are the Symptoms of the Flu?
Flu symptoms have a quick onset, sometimes within an hour or two. The flu typically comes with a cough, and the cough may be severe. It also involves a fever, which may be high, lasting for 3-4 days. Muscle aches and pains, including headaches, are common and may be intense. A sore throat and stuffy nose are not uncommon, but sneezing and watery eyes are rare. The flu lasts much longer than a cold, often 12-14 days or more.
What is the Incubation Period of the Flu?
“The incubation period is the time between catching an infection and symptoms appearing. Incubation periods vary, depending on the type of infection…The infectious period isn’t necessarily the same as the incubation period. With some viruses, such as chickenpox, the person may be infectious before symptoms start to show.” – NHS
The incubation period for the influenza virus is 1-4 days, with 2 days being the most common period of time between exposure and onset of symptoms.
How Does the Flu Spread?
The virus spreads from person to person by killing cells in the respiratory tract. This triggers a cough reflex, which launches the virus into the air to infect others.
Adults can spread flu from the day before symptom onset to about 5 days after symptoms begin. Children can spread the flu for 10 or more days.
Once infected, it only takes a few hours for thousands of new viruses to be produced. The virus can survive for several days on objects such as doorknobs but it is sensitive to detergents and many botanicals.
The flu’s method of transmission is highly effective. In close settings, such as households, schools, and hospitals, as many as 80% of individuals can become infected during an outbreak.
The flu continues to cause outbreaks despite its short infection duration due to slight but frequent mutations. Thus, it becomes a “new” virus each season or every few years, infecting the same people over and over again.
How Can I Prevent Getting The Flu?
Because transmission happens so quickly and commonly, the best way to prevent infection is the use of viral-inhibiting botanicals and substances on frequently used items.
Immunity to the flu virus is developed, but due to mutations, people are vulnerable every new flu season. These mutations also hinder vaccine effectiveness, as immunity can only be established for each strain.
How Should I Treat The Flu?
ECHINACEA
In a 2015 study, a commercial echinacea product was compared to the prescription Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) . Both treatments reduced the duration and intensity of the flu, with over 50% of patients fully recovered by day 5 and 90% by day 10 (Raus, et al, 2015). The echinacea was less likely to include side effects.
ASTRAGALUS
In a 2013 study evaluating the replication of H9N2 flu virus in poultry, astragalus was found to inhibit replication and increase antibody amounts within the first week (Kallon, et al, 2013). Astragalus is used as a preventive and treatment option throughout the flu season.
GARLIC EXTRACT
In a 2016 study on aged garlic extract, participants were given garlic supplements for 45 and 90 days to study multiple outcomes. Garlic was found to reduce the severity, symptom load, days of substandard performance and missed work significantly (Percival, 2016).
EUCALYPTUS OIL
Eucalyptus oil is used topically to produce a feeling of clear breathing as well as internally to boost immune function without increasing inflammation in the body. A 2008 study evaluated the effects of the oil on the immune system and found that eucalyptus oil improves immune function, without stimulating the production of pro- inflammatory cytokines (Serafino, 2008).
ELDERBERRY
Elderberry works by inhibiting viral replication, so it is best taken at the first sign of
symptoms to stop the progression of the flu. As a potent antiviral, elderberry is strongly suggested for flu viruses. One study in Norway was conducted across 60 people who were within the first 48 hours of flu symptoms, including both influenza types A and B, demonstrated this efficacy. The patients receiving elderberry were over the flu virus within an average of 4 fewer days compared to those who received the placebo (Zakay-Rones, et al, 2004). Similarly, during a known outbreak of influenza B in Panama elderberry intake was studied over 6 days. Several factors were evaluated including: presence of fever, feeling of improvement, and complete cure along with serum antibody tests. In the elderberry treatment group, over 93% of cases were better in just 2 days, compared with 6 days for the control group to reach only 91.7%. Almost 90% of the treatment group was completely cured in only 2-3 days. (Zakay-Rones, et al,1995)
REFERENCES
Monto, A. S. (1993). Studies of the community and family: acute respiratory illness and infection. Epidemiologic reviews, 16(2), 351-373.
Kallon, S., Li, X., Ji, J., Chen, C., Xi, Q., Chang, S., … & Zhang, Y. (2013). Astragalus polysaccharide enhances immunity and inhibits H9N2 avian influenza virus in vitro and in vivo. Journal of animal science and biotechnology, 4(1), 1.
Nantz, M. P., Rowe, C. A., Muller, C. E., Creasy, R. A., Stanilka, J. M., & Percival, S. S. (2012). Supplementation with aged garlic extract improves both NK and γδ-T cell function and reduces the severity of cold and flu symptoms: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled nutrition intervention. Clinical Nutrition, 31(3), 337-344.
Percival, S. S. (2016). Aged Garlic Extract Modifies Human Immunity. The Journal of nutrition, 146(2), 433S-436S.
Rauš, K., Pleschka, S., Klein, P., Schoop, R., & Fisher, P. (2015). Effect of an echinacea-based hot drink versus Oseltamivir in influenza treatment: A Randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, multicenter, noninferiority clinical trial. Current Therapeutic Research, 77, 66-72.
Serafino, A., et al. (2008). Stimulatory effect of the eucalyptus essential oil on innate cell-mediated immune response. Immunology. 17(9)
Zakay-Rones, Z., Thom, E., Wollan, T., & Wadstein, J. (2004). Randomized study of the efficacy and safety of oral elderberry extract in the treatment of influenza A and B virus infections.Journal of International Medical Research, 32(2), 132-140.
Zakay-Rones, Z., Varsano, N., Zlotnik, M., Manor, O., Regev, L., Schlesinger, M., & Mumcuoglu, M. (1995). Inhibition of several strains of influenza virus in vitro and reduction of symptoms by an elderberry extract (Sambucus nigra L.) during an outbreak of influenza B Panama. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 1(4), 361-369.