Alternative Treatments Presented
As Alternatives To Flu Vaccine

by Darline Turner Lee, Physician Assistant, ACSM Exercise Specialist

Article Last Reviewed: Sept. 9, 2006

It’s been all over the news. There’s a critical shortage of flu vaccine. In August, Chiron Corporation, a British manufacturer of the flu vaccine, reported a bacterial contamination in the batch of vaccine. Only half of the estimated forty-six to forty-eight million doses due to be shipped to the United States were produced before production was completely halted. The incident has US health officials in a frantic scramble trying to secure additional doses of vaccine. Meanwhile, many US citizens are panicked because they cannot get a flu shot.

How likely is someone to get the flu? The US Centers for Disease Control report that approximately thirty-six thousand individuals will die from influenza (flu) virus. Two hundred thousand will be hospitalized, mostly elderly. Those at greatest risk for contracting the flu are the elderly, children under the age of two, those with chronic illnesses, pregnant women, individuals in nursing homes, children on aspirin and caregivers to any of the above-mentioned categories.

So for those of us who aren’t congressional members and thus already vaccinated, what can we do to reduce our risk of getting the flu, and what should if we at the onset of flu symptoms?

The best treatment is always prevention. The flu is spread from one person to another via physical contact such as shaking hands, or inhaled as air-born droplets produced when another person sneezes or coughs. Obvious preventive measures are to cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, then immediately go and wash your hands. Washing your hands often is very effective in preventing the spread of the virus. The virus can exist on surfaces for quite sometime. If you unknowingly touch a contaminated surface, then touch your mouth, nose or eyes, you give the virus access into your body.

This year more than any other year, it will be critical to maintain a healthy immune system. Get plenty of rest and eat healthy, nutrient dense foods such as lean meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and low fat dairy items.

In the October 10, 2004 Austin American Statesman, Pamela LeBlanc reports that being physically active may help prevent a person from getting the flu, speed recovery and increase survival. The article reports findings from a study done by two researchers at the University of Illinois on mice. They found that mice made to exercise after being infected with the flu were two to three times more likely to survive than non-exercising mice. A study on human subjects testing the effect of exercise on the efficacy of the flu vaccine is underway, and due to be completed in 2006. Preliminary data shows that the flu vaccine is more effective in seniors who exercise than those who don’t. Another way to ward off the flu: regular, daily exercise.

What are the symptoms of the flu, and what should a person do if he suspects he’s getting sick?

At the onset of fever, chills, fatigue, body aches, headache, sore throat, cough, runny or stuffy nose, a person should call a doctor and schedule an immediate office visit. There are in office tests healthcare practitioners can perform to see if a person with symptoms actually has the flu. But the tests are most effective if done within forty-eight hours of the onset of symptoms. There are also prescription antiviral medications available for the treatment of influenza types A and B. They too are most effective if started within forty-eight hours of the onset of symptoms.

Flumist is the nasal vaccine and is used in high risk people aged five to forty-nine. For some, it may be a suitable substitute for the flu injection. Dolivaxil is a homeopathic preventive remedy widely used in Europe, and available locally at People’s Pharmacy. It’s a series of five doses taken orally over six weeks. Consult with your healthcare provider to see if you are a suitable candidate for one of these alternative preventive preparations.

If you develop a “flu-like” virus, the most important thing you can do is stay home and rest. You’ll decrease the spread of the infection while giving your body the rest it needs to fight the infection. Over the counter preparations will not cure viruses. They merely reduce symptoms so that your body can rest and repair itself. The following is a list of common ingredients in over the counter preparations and their actions.

Salicylic acid - This is a pain reliever, fever reducer and anti-inflammatory found in aspirin, Anacin, Excedrin. Do not use if you’re on blood thinners, have bleeding or clotting disorders, acid reflux, gastric ulcer, peptic ulcer or asthma. Consult a physician before giving aspirin to children.

Acetaminophen - A pain reliever and fever reducer found in Tylenol. Must be used cautiously in people with liver problems. Do not combine with alcohol.

Ibuprofen - pain reliever, fever reducer and anti-inflammatory agent found in Advil and Motrin. Do not use if aspirin sensitive, if you have a bleeding disorder or peptic ulcer. Do not combine with other pain relievers or alcohol. Use with caution if you have kidney or liver impairment, high blood pressure, heart disease or diabetes.
Naproxen A pain reliever, fever reducer and anti-inflammatory agent found in Aleve. Do not use if aspirin sensitive. Do not combine with alcohol or other pain relievers. Use with caution if you have a history of gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney or liver impairment.

Pseudoephedrine - A nasal decongestant found in Sudafed. Must be used with caution in those with high blood pressure, glaucoma, urinary retention and enlarged prostate. Has been known to aggravate these disorders.

Antihistamines - These agents block histamine release causing runny nose, sneezing, watery, itchy eyes. There are many and are the active ingredients in Benadryl, Dimetapp, Chlortrimeton and others. They are usually sedating. Consult a physician before use if you have high blood pressure, urinary retention, enlarged prostate, or Glaucoma.

Dextromethorphan – A cough suppressant found in Robitussin, Delsym and other cough medicines. It calms the cough reflex, stopping cough.

Guaifenesin – A mucolytic found in Robitussin and other cough preparations that aids in breaking up mucus allowing it to be coughed up.