CHINESE HERB RESPONSE TO FLU PANDEMIC

Currently, when this swine flu virus infects humans, there is a greater than 50% death rate associated with it, which is one of the reasons for the expressed fears about it. The primary concern is that a mutation will arise that allows human to human transmission.

Recent analysis has shown that the swine flu virus is genetically similar to the "Spanish flu" that caused the deaths of about 50 million people worldwide in 1918-1919 (when the world population was less than one-third what it is now).

There is a possibility that a human epidemic of this virus will come in the next flu season (2009-2010). Extensive efforts are being used to control this flu; for example, by destroying pig populations that are infected, as well as eliminating potentially contaminated animals in the immediate vicinity. This approach has had some success, but the growing number of farms infected over a widening geographic area is worrisome.

With the benefits of modern genetics and pharmaceutical science, a vaccine may soon be developed; vaccines were not part of the technology available in 1918 for the Spanish flu, nor in the other two large epidemics of 1957-1958 and 1968-1969. Looking back at the public reaction to the flu vaccine shortage in America that occurred in the 2004-2005 season, there are great concerns about the supplies of flu vaccine that would have to be developed. Substantial efforts are underway to enhance production capabilities.

An analysis presented in 2005 indicated that flu vaccines may have a lower efficacy rate than had been previously assumed, as low as 30%. There are also flu drugs now coming into broader use, such as the inhalant Relenza, which was approved by the FDA in 1999, and the pill/syrup version called Tamiflu. Several countries are stockpiling supplies.

A 2004 U.S. planning document, not based on the avian flu, depicted a scenario where 89 million Americans became sick with influenza, flooding hospitals and overwhelming the medical system, with as many as 207,000 deaths. During ordinary influenza years, the disease is thought to kill at least 20,000 in the U.S., mostly elderly persons with other existing health problems, particularly those who are immobilized by stroke or heart attack; those who have serious respiratory ailments such as pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and emphysema; and those with compromised immunity.

CHINESE HERBS AND INFLUENZA

Unlike the vaccines, which are made in response to flu strains as they appear, Chinese herb therapies for influenza are not specific for the viral strain. Instead, they may provide general actions, such as to help boost the immune response to eliminate the virus faster. At high enough dosages herbs may have some direct inhibitory effects on viral reproduction; they may also ameliorate some of the symptoms, thus making a serious infection seem mild.

Instead of having a single herb or a single formulation as the response to flu, there are a collection of herbs and formulas that have developed a good reputation. During the period from the 1950s to the 1970s, several large scale studies were undertaken in China to evaluate the use of traditional herb formulas and newer herbal remedies to prevent and treat influenza, with favorable results reported for several compounds. These findings appeared in medical journals and in books summarizing progress in Chinese herb research.

Routine prescription of Chinese herbs for influenza or other therapeutic applications remains limited primarily to the countries where herbal medicine is officially recognized, such as China, Japan, and Korea. In other countries, the herbs have been made available mainly through the work of licensed acupuncturists, naturopaths, and other non-M.D. practitioners, as well as through direct marketing of products to consumers.

Practitioners of Chinese medicine in the U.S., Canada, and Europe will be called upon to provide natural therapies for influenza this year as before, with a potential for higher demand and with more concern about prevention strategies. Even though such therapies are not proven to be effective, many people will feel the need to do everything that seems reasonably possible.

A REGIMEN FOR SEVERE INFLUENZA

Chinese herb therapy, applied to address the first signs of influenza, might prevent the infection from developing into the full symptomatic disease. For persons who are highly susceptible to influenza and those who tend to experience severe symptoms, as well as during influenza seasons that are defined as being highly virulent or dangerous, it may be prudent to treat even the initial symptoms as though a severe disease was about to develop. These herbal remedies would be used in persons who are developing symptoms despite having been vaccinated,since there is the possibility of vaccine failure, especially later in the season when new strains might dominate, and could also be used along with drugs such as Tamiflu, which are not completely efficacious on their own.