Treatment Options Flu guide is designed to give practitioners an up-to-date overview of the type of flu and flu like viral symptoms witnessed by Dr. Masiello in practice, along with successful homeopathic remedies to match those symptoms. This column will be updated regularly, and is available via RSS feed, or as a desktop gadget or web page widget. You are welcome to display this feed on your web page. http://www.homeopathiclaboratories.com/articles/fluguide.php Happy Spring! Some cases of influenza have continued to trickle in. What is different now are the number of post-influenza complications. Thankfully, I have not seen any pneumonia but there have been cases of conjunctivitis (Mercurius Solubilis), otitis media (Mercurius Solubilis), bronchitis (Kali Bichromicum and Phosphorus) and rhinitis/sinusitis with blood streaked mucus (Phosphorous). There have been a small number of patients who just never got their energy back and may have any of the aforementioned conditions. These patient have benefited from a dose of Psorinum.* issue9 Mon, 24 Mar 2008 11:22:15 -0600 Spring is almost here and so most definitely is the flu. Influenza cases continue to increase. As mentioned in the previous installment, the strain of influenza that is causing most of the infections this year, the Brisbane strain, was not included in the flu vaccine. Therefore, patients who chose to get the flu shot are getting sick this season. Click the title to read the full update. issue8 Wed, 13 Mar 2008 10:38:15 -0600 Flu is now widespread throughout the United States. The CDC reports that influenza is widespread now in all states with the exception of Florida. What is also being reported by the CDC is that this year's vaccine may be effective only 40% of the time. It seems that when the vaccine was formulated last spring, the strain that is currently causing most of the problem was left out of the vaccine. The so-called Brisbane or H3N2 strain was not included in the mix. issue7 Mon, 25 Feb 2008 14:22:15 -0600 The number of influenza cases continues to increase and Eupatorium is clearly the epidemicus remedy. It is important to recall that after the epidemicus remedy has been identified, one must keep in mind that the very next patient you see may not exhibit the symptoms you are expecting. You may be expecting high fever, body aches, and upper respiratory symptoms typical of influenza. issue6 Wed, 06 Feb 2008 13:45:15 -0600 Influenza is here. Cases have appeared in sufficient numbers to now recommend a curative remedy. That remedy is Eupatorium Perfoliatum. The symptoms are the classic flu symptoms: high fever, chills, fatigue and body aches. However, there are key symptoms that point to Eupatorium - the body aches are not only muscle pains but also bones pains. The legs, lower and upper back are especially affected. Click the title to read the full article. issue5 Sun, 26 Jan 2008 12:33:15 -0600 Seems like we are starting the New Year without very much influenza around. However, we do have a change in the epidemicus remedy. Many patients are coming down with a viral tracheitis. The trachea gets inflamed and results in a concussive, spasmodic, tickling cough. The cough doesn't produce much in the way of mucus and the little that is produced is pale yellow, gelatinous and difficult to raise. Patients are eating and drinking more but not because they have the sensation of hunger, rather eating and drinking anything seems to provide some temporary relief from the cough. Talking and deep inspiration increases the tickle and hence the cough. The cough may be accompanied by some epistaxis, however, the expectoration is not blood streaked or speckled. There may be a metallic or bitter taste in the mouth even when the cough is non-productive. On physical exam the throat appears normal and the lungs are clear. Short of performing laryngoscopy or tracehoscopy, there isn't much to see. Patients are usually afebrile and a bit tired. Some have had this cough for several weeks now. The epidemicus remedy for this cough is Phosphorus. issue4 Fri, 18 Jan 2008 11:33:15 -0600 The Kali Bichromicum upper respiratory infection that was mentioned earlier seems to still be the predominant epidemic health issue out there. Patients who find it difficult to rest during their illness are relapsing in greater numbers. Perhaps this is because of holiday partying and travel. Whatever the cause, the list of potential remedies useful for the relapse just acquired a new member; add Phosphorus to the list. issue3 Sun, 30 Dec 2007 11:25:15 -0600 We are not yet into flu season and the only major condition that's out there currently is the Kali Bichromicum upper respiratory infection. Cases of it continue to appear with little further variation. The key is that no matter how it starts in the individual patient - pharyngitis, laryngitis, bronchitis or even vertigo, somewhere along the course of treatment, Kali Bichromicum will be needed. issue2 Wed, 19 Dec 2007 17:22:22 -0600 It is much too early in the season for influenza but as always, there are small epidemics of viral upper respiratory infections. This one starts as a dry, scratchy or sore throat, low- grade fever and fatigue. Within 24-48 hours, the throat symptoms are gone and replaced by congestion in the maxillary and frontal sinuses and headache. Click the link above to get full description of symptoms and remedy recommendations. issue1 Tue, 11 Dec 2007 10:49:22 -0600 The purpose of Flu Guide is to provide the homeopathic practitioner with some treatment options during cold and flu season. Many times the initial presenting symptoms are not distinctive enough to lead to a confident prescription and knowing what remedies have been effective for the most recent winter infections is always welcomed during this busy time of year. Click the link above to read the full overview of Treatment Options Flu Guide. coughs Mon, 10 Dec 2007 10:30:00 -0600