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Originally published in the October 2006 Fisique newsletter.
As the temperature drops and the days shorten, we are once again starting to be bombarded with influenza (flu) advertising. Per usual, I will be offering free flu homeoprophylaxis to all. This is a safe and effective homeopathic alternative to the flu shot, with no side effects. Tell your friends and colleagues!
Is fear of the flu warranted? Is the flu shot a good idea? Here are some issues worth pondering.
- Flu Marketing
- Defining Influenza
- Differentiating Flu-like Illnesses
- What's in the Flu Shot?
- Efficacy
- Homeopathy and Epidemics
- Prevention and Homeoprophylaxis
- References
Before running through various statistics pertaining to the flu and its associated vaccine, I'd like to point out how our perceptions of influenza are influenced by the media.
The March (2006) issue of Harper's Magazine includes an article entitled "Viral Marketing: The selling of the flu vaccine", written by Peter Doshi1, critiquing a public-relations strategy presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at the 2004 National Influenza Vaccine Summit. The CDC's PowerPoint presentation outlines a "Seven-Step Recipe for Generating Interest in, and Demand for, Flu (or any other) Vaccination"2.
The presentation goes on to say that the "belief that you can inform and warn people, and get them to take appropriate actions or precautions with respect to a health threat or risk without actually making them anxious or concerned [...] is not possible. Rather... 'This is like breaking up with your boyfriend without hurting his feelings. It can't be done.'"
That's right folks, the CDC prompts the media to generate heightened "concern, anxiety, and worry", or fear, to create demand for their preferred medical treatment. Doshi then tears apart the CDC's statistics and decries the manipulation of the populace through the media.
Vaccines are a contentious topic, let's review a few facts about influenza.
The CDC defines the flu as follows:
"Uncomplicated influenza illness is characterized by the abrupt onset of constitutional and respiratory signs and symptoms (e.g., fever, myalgia, headache, malaise, nonproductive cough, sore throat, and rhinitis). Among children, otitis media, nausea, and vomiting also are commonly reported with influenza illness. Uncomplicated influenza illness typically resolves after 3-7 days for the majority of persons, although cough and malaise can persist for >2 weeks. Young children with influenza virus infection can have initial symptoms mimicking bacterial sepsis with high fevers, and febrile seizures have been reported in up to 20% of children hospitalized with influenza virus infection."3
Now that we've defined the flu, it is reasonable to say that symptoms alone may be indistinguishable from a regular cold or other virus without laboratory testing. Many of us refer to stomach malaise as the stomach 'flu'. Abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are generally caused by otaviruses and adenoviruses, among others4. These should not be confused with the flu virus.
This confusion is highlighted by the fact that only 15% of ILIs reported to a doctor were confirmed by laboratory tests as influenza5.
The 2006-07 flu vaccine formula, made by GlaxoSmithKline6 for the Canadian market, contains small amounts of thimerosal (mercury derivative), formaldehyde, hydrocortisone (immune suppressant), detergents, anti-bacterials and additives (for improved absorption)7.
Reduces the risk of microbial contamination and has been used as a preservative in vaccines since the 1930s8. Even minute amounts of mercury are known to be destructive to cells, particularly white blood cells, the brain, liver and kidneys9.
Used to neutralize the bacterial or viral antigens in the vaccine. A cancer-causing agent commonly known as the main ingredient in embalming fluids, it severely poisonous to organs if ingested9.
While some of the remaining vaccine ingredients may not seem especially dangerous, the chemical forms included in the vaccine are not commonly encountered in our environment. Remember that the formula is being injected directly into muscle, bypassing the body's usual primary defense mechanisms (mucosal and digestive systems). The immune suppressants in the vaccine retard cellular response, further compromising natural defences.
The flu vaccine also presents the possibility of diseased host tissue. While it is accepted that most diseases do not normally spread across species, it is not an impossibility. Many question the possible connection between HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and SIV (simian immunodeficiency virus). While SIV is normally found in rhesus, cynomolgus and African green monkeys and HIV in humans, the two viruses share virtually identical strains. This similarity may be attributed to the fact that the polio vaccine is cultured in the kidney tissues of African green monkeys9. Returning to our examination of the influenza vaccine, we cannot be sure that the use of bird host tissue is without risk.
The flu shot is estimated to be 60-80% effective against targeted strains in adults3. While this figure may seem reasonable, remember that only 15% of flu-like illnesses actually turned out to be influenza, let alone a targeted strain.
Many people have heard ad hoc reports of friends refusing the flu vaccine, claiming it gave them the flu. This may sound plausible but the vaccine cannot directly cause the flu as it contains dead virus strains. However, its formulation is certainly capable of causing a flu-like illness when your body reacts to the injected toxins. Mild adverse reactions such as headaches, muscle stiffness and pain, ILIs, etc. are reported every season5, and there is the risk of developing Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a paralysis that is not always temporary10.
In addition, Heilkunst understands such shocks to the body as increasing susceptibility to illness and a trigger of chronic disease.
Homeopathy has been used successfully in previous epidemics. While figures vary widely, reports indicate that homeopaths typically lost only a fraction of patients in comparison to their allopathic counterparts. For example, during the 'Spanish' flu pandemic of 1918, homeopaths boasted a loss of only 1% of their patients versus 28% under allopathic care11.
Regular homeopathic treatment aside, illness is best kept at bay with rest and good daily regimen. Should stress and exhaustion wear you down, consider that a cold or even the flu is your body's gentle reminder that it needs care. It's not wise to suppress or run from the small, acute illnesses of life only to eventually find a web of chronic symptoms that are significantly more difficult to resolve.
Fear is susceptibility's biggest driver. Consider reading a few more articles or even books in order to make an informed decision, don't just take my word for it! A quick Google search will return a barrage of information, both for and against vaccination of any kind.
For those that still can't bear the thought of falling ill with the flu or wish to protect immune-compromised loved ones, homeoprophylaxis is a safe and gentle alternative to the flu shot. Influenzinum, the remedy used to treat and prevent the flu, is prepared in a base of alcohol and water with no additional preservatives or chemicals of any kind. It is administered orally and respects the body's natural defence mechanisms.
(1) Doshi, Peter. "Viral Marketing: The selling of the flu vaccine" Harper's Magazine, Volume 312, Number 1870 (March 2006). Pages 54-55.
(2) Nowak, Glen. "Planning for the 2004-05 Influenza Vaccination Season: A Communication Situation Analysis" Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. (PowerPoint Presentation)
(3) Various authors. "Prevention and Control of Influenza" MMWR: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, July 28, 2006 / 55(RR10); 1-42. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
(4) "Stomach Flu (Viral Gastroenteritis)" Clinical Reference Systems Advisor Series, 2005.4. February 16, 2005. University of Michigan Health System.
(5) "Statement on Influenza Vaccination for the 2005-2006 Season" Canada Communicable Disease Report, Volume 31, ACS-6 (June 15, 2005). Public Health Agency of Canada.
(6) "Influenza Vaccine Manufacturers" Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response (EPR). World Health Organization.
(7) "Prescribing Information: Influenza Virus Vaccine FLUARIX® 2006-2007 Formula" August 2006. GlaxoSmithKline.
(8) William Egan. "Statement By William Egan, Ph.D. Acting Office Director Office of Vaccine Research and Review Center for Biologics Evaluation and Review Food and Drug Administration Department of Health and Human Services Before the Committee on Government Reform U.S. House of Representatives" July 18, 2000. Food and Drug Administration.
(9) Diodati, Catherine. "Immunization: History, ethics, law and health" Windsor, Ontario: Integral Aspects, Inc., September 1999.
(10) "NINDS Guillain-Barre Syndrome Information Page" July 12, 2006. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
(11) Winston, Julian. "Some History of the Treatment of Epidemics with Homeopathy"
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