Influenza

Also known as:  Flu

Influenza is a type of contagious Viral Disease.  It is caused by either of three strains (types A, B or C) of Influenza Viruses - the incubation period for Influenza is approximately two days (during which time the Virus replicates in the Respiratory Tract) and its onset is usually sudden.  Inhaled Influenza Viruses attack Epithelial Cells in the Respiratory System, producing catarrhal Inflammation.

 During most Influenza seaons, approximately 10% to 20% of the population is infected.

Amino Acids

 The N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) form of Cysteine (1,200 mg per day) may help to prevent Influenza infection, may reduce the symptoms of existing Influenza infection and may reduce the duration of Influenza infections (especially in elderly and chronically ill people).  ^[1]

Antioxidants (Synthetic)

 Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) may inhibit the Influenza Viruses that cause Influenza (Russian studies have demonstrated the ability of BHT to prevent Influenza from killing mice and to block Influenza Virus replication)  ^[2]

Carbohydrates

 Acemannan may inhibit some types of Influenza Viruses and may therefore useful for the treatment and prevention of Influenza.  ^[3]

Electromagnetic Radiation

 Increased exposure to Atmospheric Ions - Negative may help to prevent Influenza (due to their effect on the Immune System). 

Enzymes

 Superoxide Dismutase (Mitochondrial SOD form) may cause mild improvement in the symptoms of Influenza.  ^[4]

Hormones

 Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEA) may help to prevent Influenza (especially in elderly people).  ^[5]

Hydrogen Compounds

 Hydrogen Peroxide (a few drops of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide solution instilled into the ears) may kill the Viruses that cause Influenza.  There are anecdotal reports that this method is highly effective for treating Influenza.  ^[6]

Immune System Chemicals

 Sub-optimal IgG (specifically IgG2) levels may increase the severity of Influenza.

Lipids

 Glycyrrhizin (a constituent of Licorice) may inhibit the replication of Influenza Viruses and may alleviate the symptoms of Influenza.  ^[7]

 Monolaurin (a synthetic Medium Chain Triglyceride) may attack the lipid Cell Membrane of the Influenza Virus and may therefore be useful for the treatment or prevention of Influenza. 

Microorganisms

 EpiCor (a type of Beneficial Yeast) may help to prevent Influenza.  ^[8]

 Lactobacillus acidophilus may reduce the severity/duration of Influenza symptoms.  ^[9]

 Lactobacillus plantarum may help to prevent Influenza.  ^[10]

 Lactobacillus rhamnosus may help to prevent Influenza.  ^[11]

Minerals

 Clinoptilolite is claimed to alleviate Influenza.  ^[12]

 Frequent bouts of Influenza may occur as a result of Iron deficiency.

 Selenium may inhibit the ability of Influenza Viruses (which cause Influenza) to mutate to more virulent forms that worsen the symptoms of existing Influenza.  Selenium may also directly inhibit the replication of Influenza Viruses.  ^[13]

 Zinc may help to prevent Influenza.  ^[14]

Free Radicals

 Singlet Oxygen Free Radicals (although normally extremely toxic to the body) may be harnessed by Hypericin and utilized to destroy the Influenza Virus).

Immune System Chemicals

 Interleukin 2 may suppress the Influenza Viruses that cause Influenza.

Peptides

 Glutathione may help to prevent Influenza.  ^[15]

 Thymic Protein A may be an effective treatment for Influenza.  ^[16]

Prescribed Medications:  Anti-Virals

 Amantadine may inhibit the ability of the Influenza A Virus to reproduce itself after entering a host cell and thereby helps to suppress Influenza A viral infection.  It may thereby reduce the duration and severity of Influenza:

 Caution:  many strains of Influenza A Viruses have become resistant to Amantadine.

 Isoprinosine (4,000 mg per day) may reduce the severity of Influenza symptoms.  ^[17]

 Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) taken within 12 to 48 hours from the first appearance of influenza symptoms) may reduce the severity of Influenza symptoms).  Oseltamivir may also prevent Influenza in persons who suspect that they have been in contact with Influenza.

 Ribavirin may be extremely effective for destroying most Influenza Viruses within 24 - 48 hours after its administration.

 Zanamivir (Relenza) (10 mg per day) may help to prevent and treat Influenza (where Influenza is caused by infection with either Influenza Type A Virus or Influenza Type B Virus):  ^[18]

 Zanamivir’s effectiveness against Influenza is due to its ability to inhibit Viral Neuraminidase (which is essential for the replication of Influenza Type A Viruses and Influenza Type B Viruses).