Fever

Following my last post I received this question from a concerned mother. "What should we use for fever if not aspirin?" 

I was just then leaving for a seminar on vaccines and neurobiology so, I went to an herbal medicine site and copied off some information on feverfew and sent it out. 

As I was driving up to the seminar location I realized I had been hasty and had issued a typical allopathic response. 

Allopathy, meaning against or opposite of the suffering, is the philosophic basis of establishment or "industrial" medicine. 

 A more appropriate, that is holistic, response would have been "Why would you want to bring down a fever?" 

Unless a fever is spiking or over 104*F there should be no reason to try and bring it down. 

Fever's usually run between 100*-102* in viral infections. This the temperature at which TH1 immune cells produce interpheron.  Lowering body temperature would therefore make it more difficult for the body to deal with the infection. A typical result would be the prolongation of the illness. 

Fevers related to bacterial infection usually run a bit higher at 103*-104*F. 

The key for care is to insure adequate hydration and rest.   Reassurance and diversion are also called for in the care of children. 

Also, cells are more susceptible to viral infection if in an acid state.  Meats and grains tend to induce acidity.  Fruits, nuts and vegetables tend to induce alkalinity.  Nuts are great sources of proteins and good (anti-inflammatory) fats.

So, no cake, cookies, sweets or meats while the child is sick.

 

Swine Flu

I am not sure why this virus is being hyped the way it is but, if you recall the last swine flu epidemic, the disease killed one but the hastily prepared vaccine killed 39 and paralyzed something like 500.

 

In it's current form this virus produces mild to moderate symptoms and is only truly dangerous to infants and the infirm.  In fact it may be best to get this flu now in order to build immunity for the possible mutation of this "factory farm" bred virus into a lethal form

 

The symptoms and discomfort associated with flu are due to inflammation.  I recommend proteolytic enzymes like Bromelain, taken 2 hours after each meal and the herbs ginger and turmeric.  The science on these is overwhelming and they are readily available at health/whole food stores and at some pharmacies.

 

This is from Public Citizen's health site:

 

Swine Flu: Important Advice from WorstPills.org

As of the end of April 2009, swine flu (H1N1) had sickened almost 100 people in the United States. While it’s normal to be anxious about the spread of this disease, taking medications to prevent or treat the disease without having a full understanding of the medications’ side effects could have a serious impact on your health. The most effective ways to avoid any infectious illness are safer and cheaper than any medication. To avoid disease, the CDC recommends:

- Washing your hands or using hand sanitizer frequently

- Avoiding sick people and surfaces that they have touched, sneezed or coughed on

- Not touching your nose, mouth or eyes

Warning: Aspirin and Reye’s Syndrome

Patients under the age of 40 who are experiencing flu-like symptoms need to be extremely careful not to take aspirin.  (The key here is not taking aspirin with a fever. sg)

Taking aspirin will increase the risk of contracting Reye’s syndrome, a rare but often fatal disease that causes brain and liver damage.