Colds and Flu
TCM Colds and Flu formulas now available online.
Cold and Flu Prevention and Treatments
By Leo Salinas MS L Ac CMT
Silicon Valley Acupuncture and Massage
- Licensed Acupuncturist, Herbalist, Massage Therapist
From the CDC
The following Western Medical
information is from
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Link to
the Center for Disease Control and Prevention Key Facts about the Flu
What is Flu?
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses.
It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.
The best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine each fall.
Flu Statistics
Every year in the United States, on average:
5% to 20% of the population gets the flu.
More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications.
Approximately 36,000 people die from flu complications.
Flu Risks
Some people are at high risk for serious flu
complications.
- Older people
- Young children
- People with certain health conditions, including pregnancy
Flu Symptoms
Symptoms of flu include
- Fever (usually high)
- Headache
- Extreme tiredness
- Dry cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle aches
Gastro-intestinal symptoms
Are much more common among children than adults.
Flu Complications
Complications include:
- Bacterial pneumonia
- Dehydration
- Children may get sinus problems and ear infections.
Worsening of chronic medical conditions such as:
- Congestive heart failure
- Asthma
- Diabetes
How Flu Spreads
The flu spreads in respiratory droplets caused by coughing and sneezing.
- It usually spreads from person to person, though occasionally a person may become
infected by touching something with virus on it and then touching their mouth or nose
.
How Flu Spreads
Adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before getting symptoms and up to 7
days after getting sick.
- That means that you can give someone the flu before you know you’re sick as well as
while you are sick.
Preventing the Flu
The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine each fall.
There also are certain good health habits that can help prevent the flu.
In addition, antiviral medications may be used to prevent the flu.
Flu Vaccine
There are two types of vaccines:
- The "flu shot" -- an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is
given with a needle.
- The nasal-spray flu vaccine -- a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do
not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for "Live Attenuated Influenza
Vaccine").
Flu Vaccine
About two weeks after vaccination, antibodies that provide protection against influenza
virus infection develop in the body.
Who Should Get Vaccinated?
All children aged 6–23 months
Persons aged 2–64 years with underlying chronic medical conditions
Adults aged 65 years and older
All women who will be pregnant during the influenza season.
Who Should Get Vaccinated?
Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities
Children aged 6 months–18 years on chronic aspirin therapy
Health-care workers involved in direct patient care
Out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children aged less than 6 months
Other Good Health Habits
Avoid close contact.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
Other Good Health Habits
Stay home when you are sick.
- If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help
prevent others from catching your illness.
Other Good Health Habits
Cover your mouth and nose.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those
around you from getting sick.
Other Good Health Habits
Clean your hands.
- Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
Other Good Health Habits
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs.
- When they touch his or her eyes, nose, or mouth they can catch the flu.
Alternative Medicine
The following information comes from Traditional
Chinese and Modern Alternative Medicine.
Western Herbs & Supplements
Modern herbal supplements are advertised as working on biomedical principles much like
prescription medications.
There are few scientific studies on the herbs and supplements that are available over
the counter.
Western Herbs & Supplements
Vitamins are a class of supplements that straddle
herb and pharmaceuticals, now called nutri-ceuticals
Western Herbs & Supplements
Vitamin C - Ascorbic Acid
- Emer’gen -C from Alacer Corp
- Fizzing drink mix
- Vitamin C is water soluble
- Requires frequent dosage during the day
Western Herbs & Supplements
Vitamin C - Ascorbic Acid
- Linus Pauling researched the effects of vitamin C
- Influences interferon production and phagocyte activity
- Effective dosage during illness is determined by "bowel tolerance" method
Western Herbs & Supplements
Black Elderberry Extract
- Sambucol from Natures Way
- Derived from the Black Elder tree
- Inhibits Viral Neuraminidase in virus
- Prevents viral reproduction
- One double blind study shows recovery in 3 days instead of 7
Western Herbs & Supplements
Echinacea - Pallida / Purpurea
- Available as tinctures and capsules
- Inhibits Common Cold viruses
- Anti-viral effects on Influenza by influencing production of Interferon Alpha and Beta
- Stimulates phagocyte activity
Homeopathy
Homeopathy is based on an important law: the principle of similarities or the law of
similars, also called the Similia principle or "like cures like".
Homeopathy
Any substance which, when administered in large doses, produces a certain number of
symptoms in a well person, is capable of treating the same symptoms in a sick person, when
diluted and potentized.
Homeopathy
Influenzinium - Influenza virus
Dolivaxil from Dolisos
Biological (microbial) homeopathic remedy
Formulated with this year’s influenza strains
Taken as a preventative
Homeopathy
Anas barbariae hepatis et cordis extractium
Oscillococcinum by Boiron
(O-SILL-O-COX-SEE-NUM)
Biological homeopathic remedy
Temporarily relieves flu symptoms
Popular in France and US
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Over 4000 years old
Original writings include
- Massage
- Herbs
- Diet
- Lifestyle
- Diseases
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Complete system including theory, diagnosis, disease
patterns, and treatments.
Based on empirical observation of the nature of the world around us.
TCM Cold & Flu Symptoms
Fever
Nausea
Fatigue
Sore throat
Body ache
Muscle ache
Sinus congestion
Phlegm
TCM Cold & Flu Etiology
Diagnosis – Wind Cold
- External Evil – Wind
- External Evil – Cold
Diagnosis – Wind Heat
- External Evil – Wind
- External Evil – Heat
TCM Cold & Flu Diagnosis
Fever
Nausea
Fatigue
Sore throat
Body ache
Muscle ache
Sinus congestion
Phlegm
TCM Cold & Flu Diagnosis
| Wind Cold symptoms |
Wind Heat symptoms |
| Cough with thin clear phlegm |
Cough with sticky yellow phlegm |
| Aversion to cold |
Aversion to wind and cold |
| Stuffy/runny nose with clear mucous |
Runny nose with yellow mucous |
| Headache |
Headache |
| Fever |
High fever |
TCM Cold & Flu Diagnosis
| Wind Cold symptoms |
Wind Heat symptoms |
| No sweating |
Sweating |
| Hoarseness |
Red, swollen, painful throat |
| Scratchy throat |
Wheezing |
| Body or joint aches |
Sneezing |
| Little or no thirst |
Thirst with drinking |
| Prefers warm drinks |
Prefers cool drinks |
TCM Cold & Flu Diagnosis
This TCM diagnosis can include the Western
Biomedical diseases of:
- Upper respiratory tract infection
- Lung infection
- Pneumonia
- Flu
- Strep throat
- Tonsillitis
TCM Cold & Flu Treatments
Wind Cold Treatment Principles
- Relieve the Surface
- Relieve the body of Wind symptoms
- Open the Lung
- Remove obstruction by phlegm
- Disperse Cold
TCM Cold & Flu Treatments
Wind Cold Herbal Treatment
- Gan Mao Lin/Pain (Now available online)
- "Catch Cold" Tablet
- Formulation effective for Wind Cold
- Keep on hand for first signs of External Wind Cold attack
- Can be taken as preventative during cold and flu season
- Good for prevention of colds during air travel and vacations
TCM Cold & Flu Treatments
Wind Heat Treatment Principles
- Relieve the Surface
- Relieve the body of Wind symptoms
- Clear Lung Heat
- Remove obstruction by hot phlegm
- Clear Heat
TCM Cold & Flu Treatments
Wind Heat Herbal Treatments
- Yin Qiao San (Now available online)
- "Honeysuckle & Forsythia Powder"
- Effective to Relieve the Surface and Clear Heat, sooth sore throat and generate fluids.
- Effective for early stages of Colds with sore throat and fevers.
- Best taken at the first signs of fever and sore throat.
TCM Cold & Flu Treatments
For symptoms of sore throat and cough
- Loquat cough syrup (Now available online)
- Clears Lung Heat, sooths sore throat, generates fluids, stops cough
- Does not contain pharmaceuticals or alcohol.
- Works first with throat coating, then systemically goes to the lungs and throat for
sustained relief
- Also available as lozenges
Action
I recommend finding alternative cold and flu treatments before you need them.
Keep these treatments on hand at home and work.
Take them with you if you travel.
Benefits
Alternative Cold and Flu treatments are available
- Low side effects
- Available over the counter
- Can be effective
Close
Find cold and flu treatments that are right for you.
Practice good health habits to reduce your risk of getting colds and flu.
Get treatment if you catch a cold or the flu.
~ ~ ~
Contact Silicon Valley Acupuncture
& Massage for a free consultation
(650) 861-5880
[Click here to email]
199 East Middlefield Ave, Mountain View, CA 94043
All information herein provided is
for educational use only and not meant to substitute
for the advice of a local TCM practitioner or Medical Doctor.
Copyright © 2004 -2007 Silicon Valley Acupuncture and Massage
Last Modified:
September 02, 2007
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