Treating Children's Flus
Excerpt from FLU: Alternative Treatments
and Prevention by Randall Neustaedter
OMD, North Atlantic Books, 2004
Some special issues apply to children with
the flu. First, children can develop high
fevers with much less severe accompanying
symptoms than adults. A child with a 104º
(40º C) temperature is miserable, but
can also quickly rally. An adult with this
level of fever feels as if he will die. Second,
because children have easily weakened digestive
functions, they tend to develop more digestive
symptoms than adults. They often have vomiting
and diarrhea with the flu, sometimes as one
of the first few symptoms of illness. Third,
children go through stages of the flu fairly
quickly and the treatment regimen may need
to change frequently during the course of
the illness to match the symptom picture.
This applies especially to homeopathic medicines.
A medicine that fits the picture on day one
may transition to a new medicine on day two
and again on day four.
Homeopathic medicines are equally and completely
safe for newborns, infants, and older children.
Dosage is typically one or two pellets of
sugar pills that have been prepared by a homeopathic
pharmacy. Infants can hold the pellets in
their cheeks and they will dissolve. Older
children can chew them. Alternatively, parents
can crush the pellets and dissolve them in
water then give a half or whole teaspoon as
a dose.
Children younger than two-years-old are more
likely to develop serious complications of
the flu than older children or adults if they
are treated with conventional medical approaches.
In one study children under two were 12 times
as likely to be hospitalized with respiratory
disease during the flu season compared to
children over five years of age (Izurieta,
2000). In a second study children under one
suffered significantly more complications
of heart and lung problems compared to older
children and adults (Neuzil, 2000). These
alarming statistics from conventional medicine
should encourage all parents to seek alternative
care for their children who encounter the
flu.
Prevention
If a family member or a friend has exposed
your child to the flu, then give her Influenzinum
(9C to 30C) once a week for four weeks to
prevent a serious case of the flu. For at
least the past 150 years homeopathic practitioners
have used the medicine Influenzinum as a flu
preventive. Influenzinum is a homeopathic
medicine made from flu viruses. A proprietary
preparation is produced by Dolisos pharmacy
each year using the flu virus strains recommended
by the World Health Organization for the year's
vaccine production (Dolivaxil – containing
Influenzinum 9C). The typical dosage is once
per week for four weeks beginning in October
or later, followed by another dose three weeks
later.
In 1998 the French Society of Homeopathy
conducted a survey of 23 homeopathic doctors
concerning their use of Influenzinum as a
flu preventive (Coulamy, 1998). The survey
included use of Influenzinum over a 10 year
period (1987-1998) in 453 patients. The protocol
for the frequency of doses varied considerably
among these doctors. Weekly doses were used
by 26 percent of participants and monthly
dosage by 23 percent. Another 16 percent used
a weekly then monthly dosage plan, and 35
percent applied some other dosage protocol.
80 percent of respondents began treatment
in the fall (September through November) and
ended between February and April. In this
French survey 70 percent of participants used
a 9C strength of Influenzinum. (In the US
practitioners often use a higher strength
because of the different prescribing preferences
between the two countries.)
Results of the survey were remarkable. In
approximately 90 percent of the cases no instances
of the flu occurred when Influenzinum was
used preventively no matter what the dosage
protocol. Among the physicians the effectiveness
was deemed good to very good in 90 percent
of the cases. In 5 percent there was no protective
effect. Of the patients, 98 percent expressed
a desire to take the same preventive treatment
the following year. Certainly this confidence
in homeopathic prevention among physicians
with many years of experience and their patients
speaks to the effectiveness of Influenzinum
as a flu preventive. It should be noted that
a clinical study that approaches statistical
significance evaluating the preventive effects
of any homeopathic preparation would probably
be prohibitively expensive.
Homeopathic Treatment of Flu
First stage of flu
One of three medicines will usually be indicated
for the first stage of flu symptoms in children:
Belladonna, Gelsemium, or Arsenicum.
Belladonna is characterized by fever
without other significant symptoms except
lots of heat and a headache. Usually by the
time other symptoms arise a different homeopathic
medicine is indicated. Children who need Belladonna
are usually quite tired and seem dull, glassy
eyed, and lethargic. They tend to have red,
flushed faces and sometimes will also have
cool hands and feet.
Children needing Gelsemium are achy,
chilly, and not very thirsty. Children want
to be covered, they may moan with the aching
muscles, and they are decidedly sluggish and
tired. The most characteristic symptom of
Gelsemium is the lethargy. Children may seem
like limp noodles, draping themselves over
a parent's shoulder, or lying limp in someone's
arms. Their eyelids seem heavy and they are
sleepy, lacking the energy to even develop
a lusty cry. Gelsemium is by far the most
commonly indicated medicine in children's
flu symptoms.
Arsenicum is indicated when the flu
begins with digestive disturbance. Children
may wake up in the middle of the night and
begin the illness with vomiting. They soon
also develop diarrhea. In general if the first
symptom is vomiting, then give Arsenicum.
Children who need this medicine may also be
anxious, chilly, and thirsty for small sips
of water. These symptoms may confirm the accuracy
of the Arsenicum prescription, but it is not
necessary for children to fit this classic
Arsenicum picture to begin using this medicine
at the onset of a flu with digestive symptoms.
Second stage of flu
Usually the later stage of the flu in children
is characterized by nasal congestion, headache,
and cough. Bryonia is the most commonly
indicated medicine. Children who need Bryonia
have a headache and body aches that are decidedly
worse from moving. They want to lie down and
remain still, complaining more if they are
moved. They are thirsty and warm. These children
want to be uncovered and complain more if
the room is warm. They want windows open and
fresh air. They are irritable and older children
want to be left alone. They soon develop congestion
and a dry cough, which may be painful because
their muscle aches are worse from moving.
If respiratory congestion is the primary
symptom then change the medicine to Pulsatilla
or Kali-bichromicum.
The Pulsatilla stage has clear or
thicker yellow mucus from the nose. The eyes
may have some discharge as well. The child
wants to move, feels better from motion or
being carried and rocked. Children who need
Pulsatilla are warm, thirstless, and clingy.
They want to be held, they cry or whine easily,
and seem very dependent. They do not want
to be left alone.
Kali-bichromicum is indicated when
the nasal discharge or the mucus produced
when coughing is thick and green. These children
may have a loose cough, sinus pressure, and
night waking from the cough and congestion.
Croup is a fairly common complication of
flu in children. Croup is characterized by
high pitched breathing and a barking cough
like a seal. The characteristic symptoms are
caused by swelling of the throat and larynx.
If symptoms occur suddenly in the night with
difficult breathing and fear, then give Aconitum
and take your child into the bathroom with
the hot shower running. The steam will usually
relieve the alarming symptoms. If the barking
cough persists, then give Hepar-sulphur.
If the cough later turns loose, with some
rattling breathing and hoarseness then switch
the medicine to Spongia-tosta.
When diarrhea persists as a predominant symptom
of the flu in children the three most commonly
indicated medicines are Podophyllum, Mercurius,
and Veratrum album.
Podophyllum diarrhea is copious, filling
up the diaper and running down the legs. Parents
wonder where all of this stool comes from.
The stool has a foul, offensive odor. Bowel
movements may be gushing, and stools are sometimes
frothy.
Mercurius (either Mercurius-solubilis
or Mercurius-vivus) fits diarrhea that burns
the skin causing a rash. The stool is watery,
it may be greenish and contain mucus like
raw egg whites or it may be streaked with
blood. All of these stool characteristics
indicate a very inflamed intestinal tract.
Mercurius stools are always offensive and
acrid, causing redness and pain around the
anus. Children who need Mercurius are often
sweaty and chilly, though they may also feel
hot at other times.
Veratrum symptoms tend to be even
more severe. Children are cold and shivering,
with cold sweats. They also have a nearly
unquenchable thirst for cold drinks. The diarrhea
is exhausting and painful with abdominal cramping,
and these children look quite sick and lethargic.
Herbs
Echinacea
Non-alcoholic, glycerin preparations of the
herb echinacea are prepared specifically for
children. Some of them also contain vitamin
C. Mix the echinacea with juice or water.
Most health food stores stock echinacea preparations.
Avoid products that contain other herbs or
fillers. Echinacea stimulates the body to
produce more white blood cells that fight
invasion by viruses or bacteria. Echinacea
is not appropriate for allergic symptoms,
and should not be used over an extended period
of time. Stop when the flu symptoms improve,
or after five days.
Directions: Mix with juice or give it straight.
Dosage: Babies under one year: 10 drops three
times per day
Children over one year: 20 drops three times
per day
Windbreaker (Chinese Modular Solutions)
This is a Chinese herbal formula designed
for children and available only through health
care practitioners. Yin chiao junior (Health
Concerns) is a comparable formula. It stimulates
a healing reaction in the body, dispels invasion
of cold, and relieves mucus production and
congestion. Use it at the onset of flu symptoms
and continue as long as congestion persists.
Shake the bottle before each use. This formula
contains alcohol.
Directions: Mix the drops in a small amount
of steaming hot water to evaporate the alcohol,
then mix this solution with juice.
Dosage: Babies under one year: 10 drops three
times per day
Children over one year: 20 drops three times
per day
Vitamin C
Give babies 500 mg vitamin C in powder form,
children one to three years old 1,000 mg in
powder or chewable tablets, and children older
than three years 2,000 mg per day in divided
doses.
(for a full discussion of flu prevention and treatment
of the entire family, you can purchase the
book, FLU: Alternative Treatments
and Prevention by Randall Neustaedter
OMD)
References:
Coulamy A.. Survey of the prescription habits
of homeopathic doctors on the subject of a
single medication: Influenzinum. French Society
of Homeopathy Conference Notes: The Prescription
in Homeopathy 1998: 1-16.
Izurieta HS, et al. Influenza and the rates
of hospitalization for respiratory disease
among infants and young children. New England
Journal of Medicine 2000 Jan 27; 342(4):232-9.
Neuzil KM, et al. The effect of influenza
on hospitalizations, outpatient visits, and
courses of antibiotics in children. New England
Journal of Medicine 2000 Jan 27; 342(4):225-31.
Dr. Neustaedter has practiced homeopathy and
oriental medicine for over 25 years, specializing
in child health care. An accomplished and
well-recognized author, he has written The
Vaccine Guide: Risks and Benefits for Children
and Adults (North Atlantic Books, 2002),
a book that helps consumers make informed
choices about vaccination. His new book, Child
Health Guide: Holistic Pediatrics for Parents
(North Atlantic Books, 2005), represents a
state of the art guide to raising children
with natural medical care. He can be reached
through his extensive website at www.cure-guide.com.
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