Quick non-drug tips by a naturopathic doctor to prevent or treat Avian flu symptoms.
(PRWEB) November 2, 2005 -- A specific type of influenza flu virus that primarily affects birds but recently has been reported to affect humans, pigs and cats. The Avian flu virus rarely affects humans, but often causes serious disease or fatality when it does.
The virus that causes the Avian flu is a sub-type of the influenza-A virus that is known to cause the flu in humans and is associated with influenza epidemics and pandemics. New variations of this virus arise when susceptible animals like pigs, ducks, chickens and humans live together in close proximity. The current Avian flu virus is a highly virulent virus sub-type that has spread more rapidly, with a higher degree of mortality than any other bird flu strain in history.
The virus has been shown to exist in saliva, nasal secretions and feces for about nine days and could affect humans that come into close contact with infected birds or birds that died from the illness. Direct contact with bird droppings or contaminated feed, water, clothing, cages, farm equipment and other surfaces are thought to be the transmitters although there are no clearly documented cases of the recent Avian flu virus spreading from human to human. Eggs and egg products, as well as frozen or adequately cooked poultry products are unlikely sources of infection.
The most frequent symptoms associated with the Avian flu include: fever (101 to 104 degrees F), cough shortness of breath, swollen lymph nodes. Other common symptoms are sore throat, rhinorrhoea, and muscle pain. Shortness of breath is an early symptom that can develop into a severe acute respiratory syndrome. On rare occasions, conjunctivitis or gastrointestinal symptoms might appear.
The World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) are treating the recent outbreaks of Avian flu very seriously. Drastic measures are being taken to destroy affected birds and therefore, remove the animal reservoir of Avian flu viruses. The current conventional drugs used to treat the influenza virus have proven to be relatively ineffective against the current Avian flu virus.
My Naturopathic Approach to prevention and treatment includes regular, rigorous hand washing with greater than 120 degrees F water with soap and/or detergent to decrease the likelihood of infection, and prevent the spread of the virus. The best way to ensure that the Avian flu does not cause signs and symptoms in humans is to keep an optimal innate immune system through the following:
1. Minimize sugar and saturated fat intake. 2.Consume healthy protein with every meal (nuts, seeds, legumes, fish) and take a good plant digestive enzyme. 3.Address lifestyle stressors and have optimal sleep and rest. 4.Include a daily routine that includes dry skin brushing, contrast showers and deep breathing exercises is beneficial. 5. Exercise a minimum of 3 times a week for at least 30 minutes. 6.Drink a minimum of 6 glasses of water (with electrolytes) a day.
7.Work with your naturopathic doctors to determine what individual recommendations are required.
To avoid contamination I suggest heating whole poultry to at least 185 degrees F for 30 minutes before eating. Heat eggs and other poultry products to at least 170 degrees F and avoid high-risk areas that are known to have had infestations of the virus in their livestock.
If you have any of the symptoms of the Avian flu and you have been in contact with birds, contact your naturopathic or medical doctor immediately. As I mention in my book, Live Disease Free (www.safegoodspub.com) humic acid is a good preventative because as a viral infusion inhibitor it acts non-specifically to coat viruses prohibiting them from spreading throughout the body. These “trapped” viruses are then eliminated from the body as part of the immune response. Not only does humic acid (Zap-V brand can be found on www.longlifecatalogs.com) act as a preventive but it can also reduce the proliferation of existing virus thus limiting the severity of the flu. Since it is non-specific it acts the same for any viral condition including hepatitis and common flu strains that spread quickly during the winter months.
As part of the treatment, your naturopathic doctor may also recommend botanical or homeopathic therapies to fight the infection along with specific supplements, based on individual signs and symptoms, to increase the body’s ability to fight the infection. To restore balance to the body I suggest you consider Rhodiola rosea (with electrolytes) to help with stress, polysaccharidepeptides (AlphaGlycan) to build up the immune system, silver (Crystalloid) to destroy the virus (www.naturespathsupplements.com), strict dietary changes to support immune function, maximize nutrients, and increase the effective role of the digestive tract with plant digestive enzymes and acidophilous.
Blood work, chest x-ray or other laboratory tests to will help identify the cause of the signs and symptoms. Isolation of infected people with mandatory personal protective equipment is essential including a high efficiency mask (N-95), gloves and gown by their health care providers.
It has been shown that persons most affected by the Avian flu are those who live is less than sanitary conditions and whose immune systems have been compromised because of age, sickness, lifestyle or lack of appropriate immune system response. By following these Naturopathic recommendations we can help improve our resistance to the disease.
These tips were supplied by Dr. Howard Peiper
For more information, contact Dr. Howard Peiper at www.walkthetalkproductions.com
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