Influenza is the name of a virus and the infection
it causes.
Although for most people the infection is mild, it can be severe and even deadly in those
with compromised immune systems, including infants, the elderly, and people with diseases such
as cancer and AIDS. In the past, huge epidemics of
influenza have caused millions of deaths. Some nutritional and herbal recommendations for
maintaining healthy immune function are also
applicable for treating influenza.
What are the symptoms of influenza?
Symptoms of influenza include fever, muscle aches, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. Other
symptoms include headache, chills, dry cough, sore throat,
pain when moving the eyes, sneezing, and runny nose. The onset of symptoms is often rapid
and intense.
Medical treatments
Over the counter analgesics containing
acetaminophen (Tylenol®) are safe for individuals of all ages to treat fever, body
aches, and headache associated with the flu.
Aspirin-containing products are not given to people under 18 years old who have flu
symptoms, since this practice has been linked to an increased risk of Reye’s syndrome
(brain and liver abnormalities that can lead to coma and death). People over 18 years old can
take aspirin (Bayer®, Ecotrin®, Bufferin®) and
ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®) to reduce pain and fever associated with the
flu.
Prescription antiviral medicines available include
those taken orally, such as amantadine (Symmetrel®),
rimantadine (Flumadine®), and oseltamivir (Tamiflu®), or with an inhaler such as
zanamivir (Relenza®) and ribavirin (Virazole®).
Antibiotics are sometimes recommended to prevent secondary bacterial infections
1 2 such as pneumonia.3 Otherwise, antibiotics are not effective
against viruses. Although early intervention with antibiotics may effectively prevent
pneumonia 4 and reduce costs associated with influenza outbreaks,5 some
doctors believe the use of antibiotics to prevent (rather than to treat) bacterial
infections is ill-advised6 and should be limited to people who are most at risk of
developing a secondary infection, such as the elderly
and those with compromised immune function (as in
AIDS). This is because overuse of antibiotics may
lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria that are more difficult to
treat.7
People with flu symptoms are commonly advised to rest and drink plenty of fluids.
Nutritional supplements that may be helpful
Dockworkers given 100 mg of vitamin C each day for ten
months caught influenza 28% less often than did their coworkers not taking vitamin C. Of those
who did develop the flu, the average duration of illness was 10% less in those taking vitamin
C than in those not taking the vitamin.8 Other trials have reported that taking
vitamin C in high amounts (2 grams every hour for 12 hours) can lead to rapid improvement of
influenza infections.9 10 Such
high amounts, however, should only be used under the supervision of a healthcare
professional.
Are there any side effects or interactions?
Refer to the individual supplement for information about any side effects or interactions.
Herbs that may be helpful
Echinacea has long been used for colds and flu.
Double-blind trials in Germany have shown that
infections associated with flu-like symptoms clear more rapidly when people take
echinacea.11 Echinacea appears to work by stimulating the immune system. The usual recommended amount of echinacea
is 3–5 ml of the expressed juice of the herb or tincture of the herb or root, or 300 mg
of dried root powder three times per day.
The effect of a syrup made from the berries of the black
elderberry on influenza has been studied in a small double-blind trial.12
People receiving an elderberry extract (four tablespoons per day for adults, two tablespoons
per day for children) appeared to recover faster than did those receiving a placebo.
Asian ginseng and
eleuthero (Siberian ginseng) have immune-enhancing properties, which may play a role in
preventing infection with the influenza virus. However, they have not yet been specifically
studied for this purpose. One double-blind trial found that co-administration of 100 mg of
Asian ginseng extract with a flu vaccine led to a lower frequency of colds and flu compared to
people who just received the flu vaccine alone.13
Boneset has been shown in test tube and other studies to
stimulate immune-cell function,14 which may explain it’s traditional use to
help fight off minor viral infections, such as the flu.
Wild indigo contains polysaccharides and proteins
that have been reported in test tube studies to stimulate the immune system. The
immune-enhancing effect of wild indigo is consistent with its use in traditional herbal
medicine to fight the flu.15 However, wild indigo is generally used in combination
with other herbs such as echinacea, goldenseal, or thuja.
While not as potent as willow, which has a higher
salicin content, the salicylates in meadowsweet do give
it a mild anti-inflammatory effect and the potential to reduce fevers during a cold or flu. However, this role is based on historical use
and knowledge of the chemistry of meadowsweet’s constituents; to date, no human studies
have been completed with meadowsweet.
Are there any side effects or interactions?
Refer to the individual herb for information about any side effects or interactions.
Holistic approaches that may be helpful
Because family stress has been shown to increase the risk of influenza infection,16 measures to relieve stressful
situations may be beneficial.
References
1. Meier CR, Napalkov PN, Wegmuller Y, et al. Population-based study on
incidence, risk factors, clinical complications and drug utilisation associated with influenza
in the United Kingdom. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2000;19:834–42.
2. Neuzil KM, Mellen BG, Wright PF, et al. The effect of influenza on
hospitalizations, outpatient visits, and courses of antibiotics in children. N Engl J
Med 2000;342:225–31.
3. Gadomski AM. Potential interventions for preventing pneumonia among
young children: lack of effect of antibiotic treatment for upper respiratory infections.
Pediatr Infect Dis J 1993;12:115–20.
4. Maeda S, Yamada Y, Nakamura H, Maeda T. Efficacy of antibiotics
against influenza-like illness in an influenza epidemic. Pediatr Int
1999;41:274–6.
5. Cox F, Khan ZM, Schweinle JE, et al. Cost associated with the
treatment of influenza in a managed care setting. MedGenMed 2000;Oct 3:E34.
6. Ochoa C, Eiros JM, Inglada L, et al. Assessment of antibiotic
prescription in acute respiratory infections in adults. The Spanish Study Group on Antibiotic
Treatments. J Infect 2000;41:73–83.
7. Magee JT, Pritchard EL, Fitzgerald KA, et al. Antibiotic prescribing
and antibiotic resistance in community practice: retrospective study, 1996–8.
BMJ 1999;319:1239–40.
8. Renker K, Wegner S. Vitamin C-Prophylaxe in der Volkswertf Stralsund.
Deutsche Gesundheitswesen 1954;9:702–6.
9. Klenner FR. The treatment of poliomyelitis and other virus diseases
with vitamin C. South Med Surg 1949;111:210–4.
10. Pauling L. Vitamin C, the Common Cold and the Flu. San
Francisco: W. H. Freeman & Company, 1976 [review].
11. Braunig B, Dorn M, Limburg E, et al. Echinacea purpurea radix for
strengthening the immune response in flu-like infections. Z Phytother
1992;13:7–13 [in German].
12. Zakay-Rones Z, Varsano N, Zlotnik M, et al. 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. J Altern Complement Med
1995;1:361–9.
13. Scaglione F, Cattaneo G, Alessandria M, Cogo R. Efficacy and safety
of the standardized ginseng extract G 115 for potentiating vaccination against common cold
and/or influenza syndrome. Drugs Exptl Clin Res 1996;22:65–72.
14. Woerdenbag HJ, Bos R, Hendriks H. Eupatorium perfoliatum
L—the boneset. Z Phytother 1992;13:134–9.
15. Beuscher N, Kopanski L. Stimulation of immunity by the contents of
Baptisia tinctoria. Planta Med 1985;5:381–4.
16. Clover RD, Abell T, Becker LA, et al. Family functioning and stress
as predictors of influenza B infection. J Fam Pract 1989;28:535–9.
Copyright © 2004 Healthnotes, Inc. All rights reserved.
www.healthnotes.com
Learn more about Healthnotes, the company.
Learn more about the authors of Healthnotes.
The information presented in Healthnotes is for informational
purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro),
clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may
not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with
prescription or over-the-counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor,
practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or
before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires March 2005.
| 
Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.
