INFLUENZA / FLU
Influenza is a disease caused by a member of the
Orthomyxoviridae. Many features are common with those of the paramyxovirus
infections of the respiratory tract.
Influenza is characterised by fever, myalgia, headache and pharyngitis.
In addition there may be cough and in severe cases, prostration.
There is usually not coryza (runny nose) which characterises common
cold infections.
Homeopathic Medicines & Treatment for Flu, Influenza
#Gelsemium. [Gels]
This remedy corresponds to the commencement of the trouble, when
the patient is weak, tired and aches throughout the body. It removes
speedily the intense aching and muscular soreness. There is constant
chilliness and the patient hugs the fire; the fever is less acute
than that of Aconite, and the cough is hard and painful. There are
paroxysms of sneezing with excoriating discharge, and great torpor
and apathy. An extensive experience with this remedy in the great
Epidemic of 1918 proved its usefulness. Simple cases were speedily
cured. Those that were complicated with initial treatments by Aspirin
were only those which had dangerous complications. Aconite will
sometimes prove the better remedy for children,but the drug will
never be a prominent one in influenza. Still it may be prescribed
when indicated; it will, perhaps, soothe and moderate the subsequent
attack, but its action is not quick here as in simple fevers, as
we have to do with a blood affection. Baptisia. The gastro-intestinal
form of grippe may need this remedy, especially when there are present
putrid diarrhoea stools. Clarke considers this remedy the nearest
specific for the disease; he prefers the 30th potency. Hughes also
praises it, but uses it in the 1x and 2x dilutions, which seem to
have more extensive testimony as to their efficacy.
#Eupatorium perfoliatum.
This remedy has much soreness and aching of the entire body; hoarseness
and cough, with great soreness of the larynx and upper respiratory
tract. Coryza with thirst and drinking causes vomiting. The cough
is a very shattering one, hurts the head and chest, and as in Drosera,
the patient holds the chest with the hands. The breakbone pains
are characteristic of the remedy. Add to these symptoms acute bilious
derangements, and it is all the more indicated. Many physicians
rely on this remedy in la grippe almost exclusively in the early
stages.
#Sabadilla. [Sabad]
Sneezing is the great keynote of this remedy. Sneezing and lachrymation
on going into the open air. The throat is swollen and the pain is
worse on empty swallowing; the sneezing is excessive, shaking the
whole body. Shudderings , with gooseflesh chills creeping upwards,
are also prominent symptoms. Frontal headache, dryness of mouth,
without thirst and cough, worse on lying down, are additional symptoms.
It suits well many cases of the catarrhal form of grippe; other
remedies having sneezing are Cyclamen and Euphorbia.
#Arsenicum. [Ars]
This remedy corresponds to the trial form of influenza. It covers
more phases of grippe than perhaps any other remedy. Hughes believes
that it will cut short an attack, especially when there is a copious
flow, prostration and paroxysmal coryza. Its periodicity makes it
suitable to epidemics, and it suits the early symptoms when the
affection is in the upper portion of the respiratory tract. The
burning dryness and copious watery excoriating secretion and the
involvement of the conjunctiva are unmistakable indications. Langour
and prostration are prominent symptoms. Arsenicum iodide. Chills,
flushes of heat and severe fluent coryza, discharge irritating and
corrosive, sneezing and prostration. It corresponds to true influenza
and is highly recommended by Hale. Sanguinaria nitrate is especially
valuable when the trachea and larynx are affected. Phytolacca. Specific
when the throat is inflamed and spotty, with great hardness and
tenderness of the glands.
#Dulcamara. [Dulc]
This is one of our best remedies in the acute form; the eyes are
suffused, the throat is sore and the cough hurts because of the
muscular soreness. If brought on by damp, cold changes in the weather,
so much the surer is Dulcamara indicated. Bryonia. The trouble here
is largely bronchial and going down. Phosphorus may be indicated,
especially when the trouble moves towards the chest. It is a very
useful remedy for the debility following la grippe, as it is usually
of the pure nervous type. It is the great post-influenza "tonic."
#Rhus toxicodendron. [Rhus-t]
Influenza, with severe aching in all the bones, sneezing and coughing.
The cough is worse evenings and is caused by a tickling behind the
upper part of the sternum. Especially is it useful in cases brought
on by exposure to dampness. There is much prostration and depression,
and the patient may have some symptoms which are suspicious as pointing
towards typhoid fever, such as burning tongue, stupor and delirium.
Aching pains, nightly restlessness are keynotes symptoms. Causticum,
like both Rhus and Eupatorium,has a tired, sore, bruised sensation
all over the body and soreness in the chest when coughing, but it
has in addition involuntary urination when coughing.
#Allium cepa. [All-c]
Profuse catarrhal coryza; the nose runs freely, there is sneezing,
irritability cough, the face is swollen and looks inflamed. Camphora.
This remedy is often sufficient at the outset to cut short an attack,
or at least modify the severity.
#Sticta. [Stict]
Nasal catarrh; headache, thirst, nightly expectoration, great watering
of eyes,running at nose, hoarseness of voice, frontal headache and
depression of whole system. Tuberculous subjects attacked by grippe.
"There is no better remedy," says Dr. Fornias,"for
the incessant wearing, racking cough of this class of patients."
Tuberculinum is an excellent prevention of recurring attacks of
la grippe in those who have annual attacks. NOTE: Those who were
guided during the great Epidemic by the indications given in the
previous edition of this work have amply verified all of them, so
little change appears. |