Flu (Influenza), Swine Flu (h1n1)

Respiratory influenza (flu) is a viral infection of the nose, throat, and lungs.  The viruses responsible for the flu are known as Influenza A and Influenza B.  To help understand the relationship between diseases related to, or mistaken for, the flu consider the following:

•  Influenza A and B are aggressive viruses that attack the respiratory system.

•  A cold is also a viral infection from one of over a hundred viruses that are less aggressive than influenza A and B but can also attack the respiratory system.

•  Avian (Bird, H5N1),  H1N1 (Swine) and H3N2 are subtypes of influenza A.  New strains evolve every few years. See a more detailed description at the end of this page.

•  The stomach flu is also a viral infection but it attacks the stomach and intestines.  These viruses are of different strains than cold or influenza A and B viruses. 

•  Flu and colds are viral not bacterial.  Antibiotics will not help.

Flu symptoms

One to four days after the virus enters the body symptoms will begin.  Typically a high fever from 102 to 106 °F (higher temperatures usually for children) is the first symptom.  This will be followed by overall aches, headaches, chills, dizziness, and lack of energy.  Some will experience nausea and vomiting.  This can last 2 or 3 days and then symptoms may move to cold like symptoms of a runny nose, coughing, sneezing, and sore throat. For those severely weakened pneumonia is a danger.  For others the tiredness and lack of energy can last for weeks.

Flu and cold differences

Symptoms for a cold and the flu may be similar.  A cold is much more common and less dangerous.  Some differences and similarities are:

•  The flu hits harder and faster.  Symptoms develop rapidly and are very strong.

•  For adults a fever usually means the flu.

•  If it lasts for weeks it was the flu.

•  Headaches, coughs, earaches happen with both.

•  Early sore throat or runny nose it is probably a cold.

How the flu is spread

The flu is a highly contagious disease that can be transmitted by coughs, sneezing or other contact with someone that is contagious.  This can occur from one day before someone shows symptoms to three to seven days after.  This is further complicated since some can have the virus but not show any symptoms.

Influenza A or B

Influenza A is usually more aggressive and arrives between early winter and early spring.     Influenza B can appear at any time of the year.

Stomach flu (viral gastroenteritis)

This is a viral infection of the stomach and intestines that often lead to diarrhea and vomiting in children and adults.  The virus may come from contaminated food or water or can be spread from person to person.  Beyond stomach discomforts symptoms may include chills, sweats, muscle and joint aches, and fever.

West Nile, Swine/H1N1, Bird and H3N2 Flu

Here are some comments from the CDC (Center of Disease Control) on the most recent world wide flu scares:

West Nile virus

West Nile virus (WNV) is a potentially serious illness. Experts believe WNV is established as a seasonal epidemic in North America that flares up in the summer and continues into the fall.

•  What Can I Do to Prevent WNV?  The easiest and best way to avoid WNV is to prevent mosquito bites.

•  What Are the Symptoms of WNV?

-     Serious Symptoms in a Few People. About one in 150 people infected with WNV will develop severe illness. The severe symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may be permanent.

-     Milder Symptoms in Some People. Up to 20 percent of the people who become infected have symptoms such as fever, headache, and body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. Symptoms can last for as short as a few days, though even healthy people have become sick for several weeks.

-     No Symptoms in Most People. Approximately 80 percent of people (about 4 out of 5) who are infected with WNV will not show any symptoms at all.

•  How Does West Nile Virus Spread? Most often, WNV is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds. WNV is not spread through casual contact such as touching or kissing a person with the virus.

Avian flu (bird flu)

Usually, “avian influenza virus” refers to influenza A viruses found chiefly in birds, but infections with these viruses can occur in humans. The risk from avian influenza is generally low to most people, because the viruses do not usually infect humans.

"Human influenza A viruses" usually refers to those influenza A subtypes that have spread widely among humans. Currently, H3N2 and H1N1 influenza A subtypes are circulating among humans and H2N2 influenza A circulated from about 1957-1968.

Some genetic parts of current human influenza A viruses had their origin in bird flu viruses originally. Influenza A viruses are constantly changing, and they might adapt over time to infect and spread among humans.

Swine Flu (H1N1)

U.S.The U.S. Public Health Emergency for 2009 H1N1 Influenza expired on June 23, 2010. On August 10, 2010, the World Health Organization … Emergency Committee declared an end to the 2009 H1N1 pandemic globally. …  Internationally, 2009 H1N1 viruses and seasonal influenza viruses are co-circulating in many parts of the world.  It is likely that the 2009 H1N1 virus will continue to spread for years to come, like a regular seasonal influenza virus.

 

A Summary of Key Steps (Dr. David Hill)

10 basics of prevention.

1. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough sneeze or wipe your nose. Tissues should be discarded immediately in a wastebasket.

2. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Discard the tissue immediately in a waste basket.

3. Run your diffuser often in your home. I know there has been much discussion on our diffuser lately, and we will address that in a blog soon to come. Dr. Hill and other leaders have much to say about that. What oils? On Guard for sure. It was developed to boost our immune systems, and guard us against pathogens.

4. While we are talking On Guard, I would also consider rubbing your own children's feet with On Guard every night before bed time and every morning before they put there shoes on for the day. Not only is it a bonding experience for you and your children, but it will bolster there immune systems.

5. I would also mist your families bed sheets with a mist of essential oils before bedtime. 10 drops of On Guard or some other essential oil with a ¼ cup of water in a spray bottle – shake well.

6. If there is virus in your area, obviously you want to avoid contact with those that are sick.

7. Put about 1 drop of Lemon oil for every 8oz of water you and your family drink. Over time this will greatly strengthen the immune system. In our home, we have not had colds or flu of any significance in over a year since we started incorporating essential oils in our household. And this is one way we have been consistent with.

8. As always, as you clean regularly around your home, use essential oils to clean. Purify, On Guard or Lemon in a spray bottle used for cleaning will assure pathogen free surfaces.

9. Be aware and recognize symptoms if they strike you or a family member. Immediately begin an essential oil protocol and see a professional if you experience symptoms. Swine flu symptoms are similar to regular flu: Fever, body aches, sore throat, cough, runny nose, vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy.

10. Make your home a happy place, free from stress. A haven with kind words and positive thoughts. Make a place of safety and refuge. As storms rage on, have your home be a house of prayer, gratitude and love. These are all things we can do that will create of synergy of protection for your home and family.

Now what do we do if we find ourselves faced with symptoms of the flu?

Protocol for Viral Flu

At the first indication of a symptom, strike back quick and hard. Make sure the oils you have are doTerra essential oils. Why? They are guaranteed to be sourced from the area’s in which the are indigenous to. They are organically grown. Harvested by correct methods and at the correct time. Distilled by professionals at the correct temperature and pressure. Finally each batch is tested by independent labs for correct constituents content to guarantee efficacy. These methods are key to insuring safety and effectiveness.

Oils that are an important part of your germ fighting arsenal and that are good to have around are; On Guard, Oregano, Cinnamon, Myrrh, Thyme, Basil, Clove, Lemon, Peppermint, and the AromaTouch oils. These essential oils have the ability to kill bacteria, fungi and viruses, get down into the cellular level and make things right. Essential Oils are proven natural combatants to boost the immune system and protect us from and combat against flu strains including the swine flu.

Oils, blends & products recommended:

Oils & Blends: Breathe, Eucalyptus, Frankincense, Lavender, Lemon, Melaleuca, On Guard, Oregano, Peppermint, Purify

Essential oils based products:

Also consider: AromaTouch, Balance, Basil, Cassia, Cinnamon, Cypress, DigestZen, Marjoram, Rosemary, Thyme

Suggested protocols:

Immediate actions to stop virus:

•  Make 00 size capsules of 8 drops Oregano, 5 drops On Guard and 3 drops Frankincense. Then take the capsules internally twice daily. Start oils protocol as soon as symptoms are detected.

•  Gargle twice daily with 1 drop Oregano, 2 drops On Guard, and 2 drops Lemon in 1 or 2 tablespoons of pure water. After gargling for 5-10 minutes, swallow the mixture. 

Actions to prevent spreading:

•  Diffuse the air that you are working, living and sleeping in. If you are suffering from symptoms, consider oils and blends that will help. If you are trying to quarantine areas of healthy air, diffuse On Guard. 

•  Use On Guard foam cleanser to clean common use areas.

For Children:

•  For children that can’t take internal treatments, use appropriate oils on their feet, chest and using the AromaTouch Technique

For further help (those with weakened immune systems, very aggressive virus, pandemics, etc):

•  Oil pull daily with 1 tablespoon VCO, 2 drops Oregano, and 2 drops Melaleuca. Pull for about 10 minutes before expectorating the blend. Then brush your teeth and rinse out your mouth. This mixture may be hot. If it’s too hot, reduce the Oregano to 1 drop and add a drop of Lemon. You can also consider Cinnamon, Cassia or On Guard instead of Melaleuca. 

•  Always put Lemon and Peppermint in your drinking water and drink it often. Staying hydrated is an important part of assuring the oils work effectively in our bodies. 

•  Consider other protocols for specific symptoms. Breathe to the chest, neck and back for respiratory issues, DigestZen (often in a capsule with Frankincense) for nausea or digestive problems. Oregano or Cinnamon and Lemon as a gargle for sore throats. 

•  In cases where there is obvious inflammation to the bronchial tubes including cracking or popping sounds while breathing from the chest, consider a rectal implant. 3 drops Oregano, 3 drops Frankincense, and 3 drops Thyme in a capsule. Lubricate with virgin coconut oil then insert rectally. Al least twice daily. It is not pleasant, but highly effective and the quickest way to the lungs. 

•  Do twice daily AromaTouch technique. Use Virgin Coconut oil as a carrier for the recommended oils. Add the blend Breathe and Thyme to Inflammatory Reduction phase. 

•  Eat healthy mostly raw foods. 

•  Get plenty of rest, exercise and fresh air where possible. For children that can’t take internal treatments, use appropriate oils on their feet, chest and using the spinal treatment.


dōTERRA Essential oils does not prevent, treat or cure disease. Your lifestyle choices can help prevent disease. Your doctor treats symptoms and fixes broken parts. Your body cure disease!