By Mitchell A. Fleisher, MD, D.Ht
Well, it appears that the current flu season is in full swing and it’s going to be a whopper. U.S. health officials have warned of a new and virulent strain of adenovirus (cold virus) that has already resulted in the deaths of ten people across the United States, and put dozens more into hospitals. According to a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, people are becoming infected with a strain of the virus called adenovirus 14. “Whether you’re a healthy young adult, an infant or an elderly person, this virus can cause severe respiratory disease at any age,” said John Su, an investigator of infectious diseases for the CDC. “What makes this particular adenovirus a little different is that it has the capability of making healthy young adults severely ill. And, that’s unusual for an adenovirus, and that’s why it’s got our attention.”
Our clinic has already treated several dozen cases of atypical influenza, inflicting patients with bad sore throats, congestion, coughing, headaches, lethargy, moderate fevers, chills, aching all over with abdominal pains, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Given the long list of symptoms, the condition appears most like a mono-like viral syndrome.
We have also treated a large number of patients suffering from both classic and atypical presentations of acute viral mononucleosis (due to acute Epstein-Barr Virus or EBV infection). These patients come to our clinic after coming down with what at first appears to be a really horrible case of influenza. What makes these cases unique is that they seemingly never resolve, but tend to stretch on for weeks without improvement until we provide them the appropriate homeopathic and nutraceutical supportive care.
New Approach to Colds and Flu
As a busy family physician, I treat a large number of patients sickened by the many variations of viral influenza. In the past, my patients have usually responded very nicely to a series of specific, acute homeopathic remedies uniquely suited to their symptoms, and supported with nutritional supplements, hot lemon ginger tea and chicken soup. Recently, I’ve noticed that often much more is required to support the healing process, especially when the cold or flu virus is particularly aggressive and the patient’s immune system is unprepared. Last flu season, my nurse and I were infected with a particularly virulent strain of influenza brought to the U.S. by a group of infected doctors visiting from Belgium.
Fortunately, a physician colleague in California had already seen this nasty, new virus and had success using several new advanced herbal formulations available from Tango Advanced Nutrition. Following his recommendations, I had several bottles of the herbal formulas shipped to my office. After the formulas arrived, my nurse, myself and my poor ailing wife, who’d also been struck down by this belligerent bug, followed the prescribed regimen, taking: an immuno-supportive herbal formula (3 capsules every 3 to 4 hours); a lung support herbal formula (4 capsules every 3 to 4 hours); and an upper-respiratory support formula (2 capsules every 3 to 4 hours).
Three Phases of Healing
I felt fortunate to discover these herbal formulas when I did because soon many of my patients were coming in suffering from a similar, malevolent, viral influenzal illness for which the usual remedies weren’t working. Consequently, I had ample opportunity to work with the “Three Phases” protocol, as we now refer to it, and was pleased to observe rapid recoveries in my afflicted patients. Many of these patients reported that their neighbors, friends, relatives and coworkers continued to be sick for several weeks, all the while remaining infectious and continuing to pass the virus on to others. Naturally, my patients were very grateful to heal so quickly and get on with their lives.
Preparing for New Viral Threats
Every year, physicians are confronted with new, ever more virulent varieties of influenza that arise as a result of ongoing genetic mutations among existing variations of influenza, parainfluenza and other viruses. This naturally occurring problem is now being compounded by the epidemiological influence of returning U.S. military personnel. These courageous, overworked, overstressed and over-immunized service personnel are returning home in a state of complete physical and mental exhaustion after completing their tours. To allegedly protect our troops from the unhealthy, environmental conditions they face in war zones, they are treated with excessive, multiple doses of synthetic, pharmaceutical vaccinations (many of which contain aluminum and mercury preservatives that are directly and indirectly toxic to the immune and nervous systems). Additionally, our troops are exposed to filth, questionable quality food rations and deleterious levels of physical and psychological stress that weaken the immune system and create the perfect breeding conditions for accelerating the development of newer, nastier viruses.
I became aware of this problem when JR, a 32-year-old U.S. Army Reserve officer, came to our clinic. JR returned from Iraq after two prolonged and particularly trying tours of duty that virtually overwhelmed his immune system. He suffered from recurrent, bad colds that gradually developed into unremitting, miserable flu-like symptoms that left him unable to function. JR had already received multiple courses of prescription oral antibiotics from the military health system (essentially useless for viral infections). These treatments provided no tangible relief, though they did give JR stomach aches, poor appetite and annoying bouts of diarrhea. It was only after beginning and very strictly adhering to our “Three Phases” therapeutic regimen and homeopathic treatment that JR was finally able to overcome his condition and return to good health.
Mononucleosis
Another patient, TD, is a typical, vivacious teenager who was involved in team sports until she came down with a terrible flu that refused to go away. Her mom’s prescription of bed rest and vitamin C didn’t work and TD was going downhill fast. TD’s recurrent, severe sore throats and deep, relentless cough began to cause increasing upper abdominal aching pains in her left side that prompted further examination. Upon palpation, I discovered that TD had an enlarged spleen. Subsequent laboratory test confirmed my suspicion that she was actually suffering from acute viral mononucleosis. The initial regimen of C Aspa Scorb, ProBoost Thymic Protein A, Bee Propolis Standardized Extract and Silver Liquid 400 PPM took the edge off of her flu-like symptoms and she felt better, but it was not until we added the “Three Phases” protocol that she really began to mend rapidly. I was impressed with how quickly TD’s enlarged spleen was resolved with this regimen, allowing TD to be restored to her usual, vibrant health.
Colds and Flu
Taking steps to reduce one’s chances of coming down with a cold or flu is particularly important for people with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, as well as tobacco abusers. This is also important for the elderly, especially older family members in nursing home settings where nosocomial (‘hospital-like’ medical institution-caused) infections are prevalent.
For these individuals, I have found that a modification of the “Three Phases” protocol is very effective for supporting the immune system. For adults and adolescents I recommend the following regimen: an immune support herbal formula (2 to 3 capsules daily); a lung support herbal formula (3 to 4 capsules daily); C Aspa Scorb (1/2 teaspoon daily in water or diluted juice); Silver Liquid 400 PPM (1/2 teaspoon daily in water); and ProBoost Thymic Protein A (1 packet daily dissolved on the tongue). If there is some degree of head congestion as a result of allergies, which predisposes to colds and flu, I add an upper-respiratory support herbal formula (2 capsules daily) to the protocol. For children under 12 years old, I prescribe half of the aforementioned dosages.
Summary
To summarize, the antiviral, ‘bad cold & flu’ self-care therapeutic regimen that really works the best: immune support herbal formula, 3 capsules every 3 to 4 hours; lung support herbal formula, 4 capsules every 3 to 4 hours; upper-respiratory support herbal formula, 2 capsules every 3 to 4 hours; C Aspa Scorb, 1/2 teaspoon in warm water or diluted juice every 3 to 4 hours; ProBoost Thymic Protein A, 1 packet dissolved on the tongue every eight hours; Bee Propolis Standardized Extract, 2 capsules every 3 to 4 hours; and, Silver Liquid 400 PPM, 1/2 teaspoon in water.
In regards to the latest government warnings, I believe I’ve already seen a few cases of adenoviral pneumonia. These patients are very sick and require careful, acute homeopathic prescribing, as well as nutraceutical therapeutic care to recover. I’ve been recommending twice the usual amounts of the immune support herbal formula and the lung support herbal formula in these cases, i.e., 4-6 capsules of the immune support herbal formula every 4 hours. And 6-8 capsules of the lung support herbal formula every 4 hours. I also prescribe ProBoost Thymic Protein A, 1 packet every 6 hrs, and C Aspa Scorb, 1/2 teaspoon every 4 hours.
Finally, in addition to these self-care measures, I recommend eating a balanced diet that supports a healthy immune system, i.e., plenty of fresh, organic vegetables and fruits, some organic, free range, grass-fed meat and poultry (especially home-made chicken soup, a.k.a. ‘Kosher Penicillin’), some sprouted whole grains, a daily dose of a high quality cod liver oil for the omega-3 fatty acids with vitamins A and D, as well as seeking to drastically limit or avoid all sugar and refined carbohydrate products (candy, ‘unsprouted grain’ breads, pasta, pastries, etc.), processed and/or fried foods and pasteurized, commercial dairy products. To survive the inevitable ‘cheating’ during the holidays, make sure that you and your family take your daily dosage of the antiviral, ‘bad cold & flu’ self-care therapeutic regimen as delineated above.
About the Author: Mitchell A. Fleisher, M.D., D.Ht., D.A.B.F.M., Dc.A.B.C.T., is a board-certified family physician specializing in classical homeopathy, nutritional and botanical medicine, chelation and biooxidative therapy with over twenty years experience practicing the gentler art and science of integrative medicine.
