It flu over the cuckoo’s nest

By Lyndi-Colleen Morgan

To get the flu shot or to not… that is the question.

The influenza virus attacks the respiratory system, which includes the lungs, throat and nasal passages. When people sneeze or talk, droplets of fluid containing the virus are emitted into the air. Symptoms include a fever lasting for up to four days. A misconception about the flu is it attacks the gastrointestinal tract, which is false.

The flu shot assists in protecting against the virus.

In 2015, the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit distributed almost 294,000 vaccines; approximately 50 per cent were flu vaccinations.

This same year, 12,000 Canadians who didn’t receive the flu shot were hospitalized and 3,500 died.

Without treatment, flu symptoms can worsen and it and can lead to repercussions like asthma.

But there may be an alternative for those wiching to avoid the vaccine.

“Influenzinum is a natural alternative to the flu shot… it’s used to address the same flu strains that have been identified that year,” said Gale Connor.

Connor is the manager of Sangster’s Health Centre in Tillsonburg. The product they sell is produced by Homeocan. It costs upwards of $20, but this is dependant upon the flu strain.

Influenzinum is an ingestible homeopathic medicine smaller than a grain of rice. Homeopathic medicines are often made from plant extracts and other organic materials.

“It’s vials of little pellets, and the medicine is on the outside,” said Connor. “People take one vial a week for six weeks.”

This product is becomes available each season when the flu shots are released to the public. Connor said she currently has six customers who have pre-ordered and continues to see interest grow.

Connor herself uses the product, but due to her diabetes she is considered a high-risk patient and cannot just rely on the Influenzinum.

“My doctor phones me up when it’s time to get a flu shot and says ‘you have to come in’,” said Connor. “If I weren’t on the list I would use the Influenzinum instead.”

Some sites suggest that neither clinical nor homeopathic cures are the only remedy.

25 Safe Natural Alternatives to the Flu Shot was written by Daisy Luther in September 2013 and was published on Activist Post. It highlights why she will say “Heck no” to ever getting a flu shot. It lists what she believes to be the best ways to fight the flu, most of which is through the “exercise of good personal hygiene.”

She recommends using hand sanitizer if “you have to touch things that everyone else has been touching” during the flu season.

Luther said she “shouldn’t have to say this, but was your hands after using the bathroom and before preparing food.”

 

Connor said although she believes there are alternatives to the flu shot, and basic hygiene is key, people should do their research.

Although watches have been placed on American Influenzinum products, there are no specific warnings for the products manufactured in Canada.

“When considering using this medication or another alternative, it is best to consult a physician,” said Connor.

Lora Piccinin is the manager of the Infectious Disease Prevention Department at the Windsor Essex County Health Unit. She is responsible for reducing and preventing the spread of infectious diseases in the public by identifying cases so further transmission can be controlled.

The peak season for the flu starts in October and ends around April. Piccinin says the best option for protection of those aged six months and older is still the flu shot.

“Each year the flu changes due to different strains,” said Piccinin.

Piccinin also said there are two types of flus: influenza A and influenza B. When an individual gets the flu shot they get what is called a quadrivalent injection. This means it covers four different strains of flu: two of A and two of B.

Research is done yearly to improve the effectiveness of the vaccine. A well matched vaccine can protect 50 to 60 per cent of the population.

Piccinin says people who do not get the flu shot often have misconceptions about what it does.

“People say when I get the flu shot I get the flu, and that’s not possible because there is a very small dose of the weakened virus to help you build up antibodies of the flu,” said Piccinin.

She said the flu shot helps to protect those most at risk.

“Every year we have people hospitalized, dying and sick from the flu, so if we can do our part by protecting ourselves and the ones from spreading the flu … we can do it to prevent those who are most vulnerable from getting sick as well, ” said Piccinin.

So as the saying goes…

One flu shot today…keeps the flu away.