Homeopathy And Influenza!

Influenza and its homoeopathic therapeutics

● influenza, commonly known as the flu, is an infectious disease caused by an influenza virus.

● symptoms can be mild to severe.

● the most common symptoms include: high fever, runny nose, sore throat, muscle and joint pain, headache, coughing, and feeling tired.

● these symptoms typically begin two days after exposure to the virus and most last less than a week.

● the cough, however, may last for more than two weeks.

● in children, there may be diarrhea and vomiting, but these are not common in adults.

● diarrhea and vomiting occur more commonly in gastroenteritis, which is an unrelated disease and sometimes inaccurately referred to as" stomach flu" or the" 24-hour flu.

● complications of influenza may include viral pneumonia, secondary bacterial pneumonia, sinus infections, and worsening of previous health problems such as asthma or heart failure.

Therapeutics:

● Ars. Alb: It is the head remedy for influenza. Even if it is given indiscriminately, it cures 95 per cent of cases. Its indications are- restlessness with thirst for small quantities of water at short intervals, sneezing, running from the nose which is thin and acrid. It may be tried in post- influenza symptoms when carbo veg. Fails.

● Sulphur: It is inter-current remedy which should never be forgotten in the treatment of influenza. If the temperature does not subside within 48 hours, this remedy should be given in 200 dilution on empty stomach early in the morning. It may complete the cure or help in the selection of other remedies by clearing up the symptoms. When this remedy is administered, no other medicine should be given for at least 12 hours.

● Gelsemium: It should be thought of in early stages of flu. It has sneezing, frequent and violent chilliness up and down the back, face flushed, dark red; watery discharge from the nose which is bland (non-irritant). Aching pain in the muscles. No thirst but severe headache.

● Eupatorium perf: It is indicated in fever with chill followed by vomiting of bile. Shivering runs down the back and spreads to extremities. There is deep pain in the bones relieved by pressure and movement. Thirst, but water tastes saltish or oily. Coryza with sneezing, hoarseness and loose cough. Dryness of the body.

● Bryonia: It is indicated when flu is complicated with pneumonia. There are shooting pains in muscles which are aggravated (increased) by least movement. Dry hacking cough causing much pain in the lungs and chest. Sweating of the body.

● Kali bich: It is for cough after fever which is not dry. Sticky phlegm which can be drawn into a thread. There is weakness, ulceration of the mucus membrane of the nose, dryness with pain at the root of the nose and clinkers.

● Nat. Sulph: It is specific for epidemic influenza.

● Rhus tox: It is helpful in flu with constant chilliness as if cold water was poured over the body or as if the blood ran cold through the veins, with pains in limbs. Restlessness and the patient tosses about which gives relief. The tongue is dry with triangular tip. Hard tickling cough.

● Dulcamara: One of the best remedies in acute form. Eyes suffused, throat sore; cough hurts due to muscular soreness, brought on by wet or change to cold weather.

● Causticum: High fever, flushed face, no chilliness, much prostration, could hardly get out of bed. Nose stopped, coryza free, watery. Hoarseness. Dry hacking cough which is persistent.

● Carduus m: It is useful for flu when liver is affected. 

● Influenzinum: It is a nosode and should be given as an inter-current remedy when other well selected remedies fail to improve the condition. It is given as preventive in epidemic form of flu. It also cures. Treatment may be started with this.

● Carbo veg: An excellent remedy for post-influenzal symptoms such as prostration, lack of energy, residual bronchitis, burning in soles of feet as if from a red pepper. 

● Ammonia carb: Cough after influenza when bryonia and other remedies fail. For such a cough ammonia carb, should be tried first.

● Baptisia: In epidemic influenza with besotted countenance, bleary eyes, aching head, sore throat, pains and soreness all over the body and profound prostration. Stupid look with stupor from which it is difficult to arouse the patient.

● Lycopodium: When literary persons are unable to get to work again after flu; this remedy will cure them.