Introduction
Influenza viruses are the respiratory
viruses of greatest public health importance, particularly Influenza A
(2). Every year 36,000 people die from
Influenza making it the 6th leading cause of death in America (2). The CDC estimates that it would cost America
71 – 166 billion dollars if we have an Influenza epidemic today. Approximately 1 out of every 1,000 swine flu
patients die from the infection. This is
approximately the same rate we have been seeing the past few years but
antigenic drift and antigenic shift may create a new and fatal form of
Influenza that humans have no immunity against (3). Antigenic drift is a variation within the HN sub-type. Antigenic
shift is a variation between different HN sub-types. Changes in the Heamagluttinin (H) and Neuraminiadase (N) makes large portions
of the population immunologically naïve on a regular basis (2). The problem with Type A is that it undergoes
both antigenic drift and antigenic shift making it more dangerous and
unpredictable (2). The World Health
Organization declared the H1N1 Swine Flu a pandemic in June of 2009 (4). What
this means is that vaccinations have not and will not provide protection
because there is continuous change in the virus. In addition, many people have been injured or
died from receiving vaccinations. While
viruses will continue to mutate, there will never be a totally effective
vaccine. With these facts, the patient
should always have the freedom to choose to be vaccinated or not.
The annual average U.S. winter
epidemics affect 5% to 20% of the population.
The Centers for Disease Control (2)
reports the following pandemic death histories:
Yr Flu Deaths
1889 Russian
Flu H2H2 1,000,000
1918 Spanish
Flu H1N1 40,000,000
1957 Asian
Flu H2N2 1,500,000
1968 Hong
Kong H3N2 750,000
Influenza Review
The Influenza
virus is a member of the Orthomyxoviridae family. The genome consists of 8 segmented, negative-sense RNA
strands made up of 15,000 nucleotides each.
The influenza virus species is subdivided into three types; A, B and C.
Types A and B have 8 RNA segments and encode 11 proteins. Subtype C has 7 RNA
segments and encodes 9 proteins. (1).
According to the CDC, the current Swine Flu is characterized as
Influenza type A and has 8 Single RNA strands made up of 6 human H1N1 strands
with one strand of swine flu and one strand of bird flu. This genetic combination makes it very weak
to pigs and birds but may recombine during the replication process producing a
new virus that could be fatal to as much as half the world’s population.
Influenza Type A is the most dangerous type. The virus can evolve quickly and produce an
epidemic in weeks (19,22,23,24). It is
affected by antigenic drift and antigenic shift making it the most dangerous
and likely type of influenza to mutate into a new and more fatal form (2).
Influenza Type B Produces
less serious disease than does Influenza type A and is not categorized by H or
N sub types as is Influenza A (2).
Influenza Type C was
first isolated in 1949 and is not known to be responsible for epidemics (2).
Influenza Mechanism of Action
The life cycle of the Influenza viruses
may be broken down into the following different stages (1).
Binding
to the host
Internalization
Fusion
and un-coating
Nuclear
import of ribonucleoproteins
Transcription
Replication
and viral protein synthesis
Nuclear
export of ribonucleoproteins
Virus
assembly and release
Neuraminidase Inhibitors are a class of antiviral drug that
blocks the viral neuraminidase protein, thus preventing the virus from budding
(reproducing). Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) a
pro-drug and Zanamivir (Relenza) and Peramivir belong to this class (2). These
drugs work against Influenza type A and Influenza Type B. The Adamantidines Amantadine and Rimantidine
only work on influenza type A.
Currently the Adamantidines are not recommended and Tamiflu has
developed resistance. Relenza has some CNS
concerns. Both Tamiflu and Relenza have
been given prophylactic use directions where they can be taken for prevention
in single doses (i.e. 75mg once a day) instead of the therapeutic dose (75 mg twice
a day). This is to be continued for a
period of only ten days or a period of 7 days beyond exposure (2).
People over 45 yrs of age seem to be
less at risk from the current swine flu and suffer less severe symptoms because
they have some immunity from previous H1N1 exposure. Young adults have little or no immunity
according to reports from the CDC (2).
Every winter, epidemics of human
influenza recur in the United States, and are associated with an annual average
of 226,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths, mainly caused by secondary
bacterial pneumonia in the elderly and young children (30, 31). In addition, US influenza epidemics tend to
originate in California, which may reflect this region’s interconnectivity to
Asia and Australia (14).
February is the month with the most
illness from influenza (CDC, 2009).
During the past 26 flu seasons, the
peak of the Influenza season has occurred in:
November
1 season
December 4 seasons
January 5 seasons
February 12 seasons
March
4
seasons
Since the 1968 pandemic, A/H3N2 viruses
typically dominate most influenza seasons, including 16 of the past 20 US
epidemics (25), and are associated with higher levels of morbidity and
mortality (26),
higher rates of evolutionary change (19), and greater synchrony in the timing
of local epidemics across the United States than A/H1N1 viruses (14). However,
during the 2006–2007 US influenza epidemic, more viruses reported by the CDC
were of the A/H1N1 (62.3%) than the A/H3N2 subtype (37.7%) (25).
Doctors, nurses and other health care
provides are at the highest risk of becoming infected with Influenza. Because doctors are exposed to the virus most
frequently it is significant to recognize the survivability of the Influenza
virus in open environments.
Mammalian Influenza A survives 1 hour
in mucous, while Avian Influenza survives 100 days in water, 200 days @ 63 F, 1 day in feces and indefinitely when
frozen. Influenza is easily transmitted
from human to human as indicated in the following table.
Influenza Transmission Rates (CDC,
2009)
Body
fluids and hand to hand contact 70%
Air
borne 29%
Animal
1%
The Following Are Proven To Destroy the
Influenza Virus (CDC, 2009)
Bleach
70%
ethanol
Aldehydes
Oxidizing
agents
Quaternary
amonium compounds
Inactivated
by heat (133 F) for 60 minutes
pH
less than 2 (very acidic)
Silver
Sol (liquid and Gel)
Health Care Practitioners Are At the
Highest Risk
Doctors have the obligation to protect
themselves and their patients from the potentially pandemic Influenza
viruses. This protection could come from
many different sources including Vaccination, Hygiene, Anti viral drugs,
Antibiotic drugs, Nutritional supplements, Air filters, Water purifiers, Masks,
Topical gels and Silver Sol.
Past epidemics provide important
insights into what might happen in the potential spread of the current Swine
Flu (5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14). The most persistent viruses survive and the
most diverse seem to go extinct within a few years (15,16). This is most likely the result of strong
host-mediated selection pressure, resulting in continual evolution at key
antigenic sites, a process termed ‘antigenic drift’ (16,17). This antigenic evolution is observed with
major changes in antigenicity occurring periodically in patterns of
approximately 3 years between episodes (18).
According to reports from the
Department of the Army Medical records, (from the 1918 Spanish Flu, H1N1
epidemic) 24% of the people died from the virus and 76% died form a secondary
bacterial infection that produced pneumonia in the lungs. There is a high probability that the swine
flu will have similar death rates, and if this is the case, then preventing and
treating the secondary bacterial infection will be as important if not more
important. The conclusion is that the
influenza virus will need to be treated by multiple or combination therapies
crossing viral and bacterial lines.
Recommendations For Influenza
Prevention and Treatment (2)
Vaccination:
Results indicate that U.S. children are
largely serologically naïve to the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus and that
vaccination with seasonal TIV or LAIV does not elicit any measurable level of
cross-reactive antibody to the novel virus.
This means vaccination with
recent (2005–2009) seasonal influenza vaccines is unlikely to provide protection
against the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus.
Results among adults suggest that some degree of preexisting immunity to
the novel H1N1 strains exists, especially among adults aged >60 years. It takes approximately 5 months to develop
and produce a vaccine and during that time it is likely that the virus will
mutate and the vaccine will be ineffective.
The CDC recommends all health care practitioners be vaccinated each
year. This means that a vaccination
cannot be successful and won’t provide protection due to the rapid changes
resulting from antigenic drift and shift.
Past epidemics provide important
insights into what might happen in in the potential spread of the current Swine
Flu (32,33,34,35,36,37,38,39,40). The strongest viruses survive and the most
diverse seem to go extinct within a few years (41,42). This is most likely the result of strong
host-mediated selection pressure, resulting in continual evolution at key
antigenic sites, a process termed ‘antigenic drift’ (42,43). This antigenic evolution is observed with
major changes in antigenicity occurring periodically in patterns of
approximately 3 years between episodes (44).
A variety of epidemiological and evolutionary models have been developed
to explain this phylogenetic pattern (45,46) and how it relates to the viral
genome (47).
Although antigenic drift is clearly a
key determinant of influenza A virus evolution, this process has rarely been
observed in a single locality over a single epidemic season (48,49). Instead, multiple viral introductions appear
to drive evolution at the scale of local epidemics, allowing for the
co-circulation of multiple clades of the same subtype (47,49). East and South-East Asia, appears to be
important in determining large-scale epidemiological patterns (50,51,52). In addition, re-assortment events between
viruses of the same subtype occur frequently, and are sometimes associated with
major antigenic changes in both the A/H3N2 (53) and A/H1N1 subtypes (54,55).
Every winter, epidemics of human influenza
recur in the United States, and are associated with an annual average of
226,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths, mainly caused by secondary
bacterial pneumonia in the elderly and young children (56,57). In addition, US influenza epidemics tend to originate
in California, which may reflect this region’s interconnectivity to Asia and
Australia (40). Influenza A virus can
evolve quickly an produce an epidemic in weeks (45, 58,59,60).
Since the 1968 pandemic, A/H3N2 viruses
typically dominate most influenza seasons, including 16 of the past 20 US
epidemics (61), and are associated with higher levels of morbidity and
mortality (62),
higher rates of evolutionary change (45), and greater synchrony in the timing
of local epidemics across the United States than A/H1N1 viruses (46). However,
during the 2006–2007 US influenza epidemic, more viruses reported by the CDC
were of the A/H1N1 (62.3%) than the A/H3N2 subtype (37.7%) (61).
The evolutionary dynamics of this
epidemic were particularly complex, including a late-season switch in dominance
from the A/H1N1 to the A/H3N2 subtype, the co-circulation of multiple
antigenically distinct lineages within both A/H1N1 and A/H3N2, an A/H3N2
vaccine mismatch, and the co-circulation of adamantane resistant and sensitive
viral lineages in both subtypes (61, 62).
This demonstrates how multiple risk factors combine with rapidly
evolving viruses stay ahead of vaccines and drugs producing increasing
potentials for pandemic events.
Since the development of vaccines
cannot keep up with the changes in influenza, and antiviral drugs are producing
resistant viruses and bacterial infections are killing three times as many
people than the viral infection, we are in need of additional proven methods of
prevention if we intend to save more lives and reduce sufferings from
influenza.
Hygiene:
The CDC recommends washing the hands after any exposure because most
influenza is transferred by hand contact.
Masks and gloves can help but the mask must fit tightly with no leaks to
be effective. A surgical mask helps
protect the persons exposed and the wearer, so if you have a fever, cough or
sneeze, wear a surgical mask to protect the patients.
Hand washing stations in public
buildings, churches, waiting rooms and homes need to be implemented because
approximately 70% of influenza is transferred by hand contact.
People that are infected should stay
home, stay hydrated, use hand disinfectants and get well before exposing
healthy people to the virus.
People should use tissues when they
cough or sneeze to contain the virus.
Cloth surgical masks help protect the
spread of virus when worn by the infected patient , but the masks do not
provide very much protection to the wearer because they leak around the sides.
Nurse stations should be active in
airports, bus terminals and other public areas where people travel. Theses stations should include a rapid
detection device, thermometer, hand disinfectants, preventive agents and the
ability to sequester people who are ill to a safe area.
Air Filters:
CDC recommends one in every room. HEPA
air filters use silver to inactivate viruses and can effectively kill 99% of
all bacteria, and viruses in minutes.
Water Purifiers:
Proper hygiene, and a water purifier are recommended by the CDC because the
influenza virus can survive 100 hours in water.
Get one that has a silver filter that can actually destroy the
virus. Carbon, filtration, reverse
osmosis do not destroy or remove the virus.
Topical Disinfectants: Topical disinfectants are recommended by the
CDC for use between each patient and can kill germs for 4-6 hours. Hand disinfectants should be used by patients
and well and doctors and nurses.
Patients and health care professionals should use these 4 times a day or
as needed. Chlorox kills viruses and can
be used sparingly because it is toxic and the gas can irritate the respiratory
system. Silver Sol gel demonstrates
effectiveness against some of the worst pathogens including: Bird Flu, MRSA,
VRE, Strep and the other bacteria that cause pneumonia.
Silver Sol:
Prescription drugs and vaccines treat and help prevent viral
infection and disease but are not capable of totally controlling a dangerous
new or novel virus (20). Nutritional
supplements such as Vitamins, Minerals, Echinacea, Ginseng, Probiotics and many
others have the ability to help boost immune function and improve natural
defenses which results in some defense against disease causing viruses and the
associated secondary infections
Silver Sol provides proven prevention
and treatment against viral and bacterial infections, while there is nothing
else with such broad-spectrum benefits (29).
In addition, Silver Sol can be safely taken every day for prevention
where it has been shown to provide protection against the very dangerous Bird
flu H5N1. The combination of
antibiotics with Silver Sol has been shown to enhance antibiotic function by as
much as ten fold due to the fact that Silver Sol kills the residual pathogens
that the antibiotics cannot (29).
Results of the combination of 19 different prescription antibiotics and
silver sol demonstrate safe additive and or synergistic benefits across 7
different pathogenic strains (Staphyloccocus, MRSA, E coli, Pseudomonas
arugenosa, Salmonella and Streptococcus).
The results of this combination therapy result in significant pathogenic
destruction while helping to reduce bacterial resistance (29). This can be attributed to the fact that
Silver Sol does not produce resistance, nor does it destroy the benefitcial
intestinal probiotic bacteria (20).
Silver Sol For Prevention, Treatment,
and Combination Therapy:
Different forms of silver have been
used for centuries to combat viral , bacterial and fungal infections (26). Silver Sol has demonstrated significant
antiviral benefits. These include
prevention against Influenza A H5N1 (Bird Flu), where the animals demonstrated
a 100% increase in the ability to survive a fatal H5N1 infection (27). Hepatitis B virus has been significantly
inhibited by silver sol in humans and animal models. (28). There are numerous forms of silver used
medicinally including ionic, colloidal and metallic forms. The colloidal silvers of the past had
mediocre benefits but suffered from the problem of tissue accumulation called
Argyria. The newly patented form of
silver called silver sol, presents a safer, and newer generation of silver that
has numerous publications demonstrating its unique, improvements in destroying
viruses. These peer reveiwed
publications include in-vitro studies, animal studies and human research
publications. Silver Sol is newly
patented, EPA certified, and a Gel is FDA Approved. There are numerous benefits that should be
seriously considered in the prevention and treatment of viral infections
including Swine Flu. The following is a summary or studies demonstrating the
benefits of Silver Sol as they apply to Influenza and the secondary bacterial
infections.
Silver Sol; Studies Prove Antiviral and
Anti-bacterial Benefits
Silver sol destroys bacteria viruses
and mold.
Destroys all forms of viruses, H5N1, H1N1, H3N2, hepatitis B, Aids, SARS. (Utah State University, 2006).
Silver Sol Prevents Avian Influenza A
H5N1 In Mice. Taken orally twice a day,
Silver Sol prevented H5N1 Bird Flu from
killing mice. A double-blind placebo controlled study
demonstrating a100% improvement in the survival rates of mice. (Pedersen, G., Utah State University, 2008).
Silver Sol Reduced H5N1 virus to below
detectable levels in 5 hours. (Utah
State University, 2006).
Silver Sol Destroys Beijing Influenza A
H1N1 (ATS-Nov 2005)
Silver Sol destroys 98.2% of Influenza
A H1N1 in 2 hours. No virus found 12
hours later (ATS-Nov 2005).
During the Spanish Flu of 1918, 76% of
H1N1 patients died from a secondary bacterial infection of Haemophillus
influenza, Streptococcus influenza, Mycoplasma and Enterococcus (US Dept of
Army)
Antiviral drugs are not going to be
effective against the bacteria that cause most of the deaths but Silver Sol
destroys the virus and the secondary bacterial infection.
Silver Sol can be taken every day as a
liquid (two teaspoons twice a day). It
can be taken every day for prevention because it passes through the intestines
un changed. (US Patent 7135195)
It does not destroy the good pro-biotic
bacteria (31).
Delivery systems include: intranasal
sprayer, gel and liquid, inhaled as a mist
Works synergistically with antibiotics
(26)
Silver Sol destroyed the following
pathogens in 10 minutes:
Streptococcus pneumonia, Haemophillus influenza, Staph/MRSA,
aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Meningitis,
Enterobacter, H. Influenza and hundreds more.
All pathogens were killed at 5 ppm or less in ten minutes.
(BYU, 1999).
Silver Sol destroys the Influenza
virus, and the secondary bacterial infections
Silver Sol destroyed 97.2% of the
mycobacterium in 45 minutes. (Nelson
Labs,2004).
Silver Sol killed SARS Virus 99% in 60
minutes. (In Vitro, U.S. National
Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease-SARS Kill Test 11/5/2003).
Silver Sol destroys Influenza H3N2 10 ppm killed 96.8% in 2 hours. No virus found 12 hours later. (ATS-Nov 4,
2005).
Silver Sol Kills Dangerous Bacteria
FDA Approved Gel (Nelson Labs July, 2009)
Pathogen 1 hr 24 hr
Staph aureus 99.99914 99.99905
MRSA 99.9989 99.9989
Candida albicans 99.9985 99.9985
Pseudamonas aeruginosa 99.99905 99.99905
VREnterococcus 99.56000 99.99958
FDA Category One Antimicrobial
Requirements require a product to achieve the following (> 500,000 bacteria per ml).
One
log reduction in 7 days (90% Kill)
A
three log reduction (99.9% kill) in 14 days
Must
keep it all dead for 28 days
Silver
Sol met all the requirements in 1 hour and sustained them for 28 days.
Recommendations for Silver Sol
(Prevention)
Swallow two teaspoons twice a day
orally
Gel on hands twice a day – Gel in
nostrils twice a day
Silver Sol Treatment of Flu
Swallow two tablespoons twice a day
Gel in nostrils 4 times a day – Gel on
hands 4 times a day
Inhale liquid mist through a nebulizer
15 minutes twice a day for respiratory system
Use of Silver Sol During An Epidemic
Swallow two tablespoons twice a day
Gel on hands 4 times a day – Gel in
nose 4 times a day
Inhale liquid mist through a nebulizer
15 minutes twice a day
Anti Viral Drugs:
These drugs have the ability to destroy
virus but cannot be taken for an extended period of time. They produce side effects that mimic the flu
making it difficult to diagnose the severity of the disease. If taken for prevention Tamiflu produces
resistance. 18% of the influenza virus
is resistant to tamiflu already (2). It
is suspected that the health care professionals who were taking it for four
months as a preventive agent were the persons that developed resistance. This indicates that we cannot use the
antiviral drugs for long periods of time.
In addidtion, some drugs cannot be used in children under 13 years of
age (tamiflu). Relenza cannot be used in
children under one or in adults over 65.
The antivirals must be given
within 48 hours of the onset of illness or the virus will run its course. Combine this with the fact that 76% of H1N1
subjects in the Spanish flu 1918, died from a bacterial infection that produced
pneumonia and you have an incomplete solution to the influenza problem. Because the taifu has developed resistance
relenza may be a better choice as long as you monitor the bronchospasms.
Antibiotic Drugs: Antibiotic drugs provide no solution
against the virus but can be very beneficial for pneumonia that develops
later. Use a broad spectrum antibiotic
because there are numerous bacteria that can produce pneumonia. According to a Viridis BioPharma publication,
Silver Sol can be given with the antibiotics and produce up to ten fold
increase in antibiotic activity against bacterial infections that can cause
pneumonia (20).
Nutritional Supplements: There are hundreds of supplements that can be
of significant benefit for the immune system and even on some that claim to
have antiviral activity. The best proven
choices for nutritional supplements come in the form of immune stimulants and
wellness products. The best choices
include: Antioxidants, Vitamin C, B complex, folic acid, Vitamin D
(prevention), pro-biotics, expectorants and silver sol.
Protection From the Cytokine Storm:
The majority of deaths from the 1918
influenza pandemic were caused by a secondary bacterial infection. This means that the virus entered the lungs
triggering an immune response against the invading pathogen. This immune response triggered a cascade of
cytokines, which are hormones responsible for cellular communication through
chemical means. This is has been
characterized as a cytokine storm.
Cytokines spread chemical messages that result in an activated immune
system characterized by a highly mobilized immune force that results in the
rapid accumulation of fluids in the lungs.
This fluid retention and tissue inflammation creates a situation where
the lungs have a more difficult time transferring needed oxygen putting added
pressure on the respiratory and circulatory system. It also becomes the perfect breeding ground
for bacteria to grow. This means the
inflammation and fluid can cause asphyxiation and the bacteria causes
pneumonia.
A cytokine storm (hypercytokinemia) is the systemic expression of a healthy exaggerated immune response against pathogens. Cytokines signal immune cells such as T-cells and macrophages through intracellular communication. The activated immune cells respond by traveling to the site of infection. Normally the immune cells maintain a healthy balance of mobilization and activation, but on occasion, activated immune cells send signals that stimulate the production of more cytokines resulting in an uncontrolled mobilization and activation of too many immune cells in one location. The exact cause is not fully understood but may be caused by an exaggerated response when the immune system encounters a new and highly pathogenic invader like H1N1 Influenza. The primary symptoms of a cytokine storm are high fever, swelling and redness, extreme fatigue and nausea. In the case of H1N1 Influenza the immune response may cause death.
Research suggests that cytokine storms were responsible for many of the deaths during the 1918 Influenza Pandemic (63,65,66,67,74). Research from Hong Kong (SARS) also indicated that this exaggerated immune reaction could have been the main reason for the deaths in so many young people (68). Human deaths from Bird Flu H5N1 usually involve the cytokine storm as well (69). Recent research on the latest flu epidemic (2009) suggest that cytokine storms could be responsible for the latest deaths (70). The CDC reports that there is insufficient information about clinical complications to determine cause (71).
The researchers at Imperial College of London published data in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, which demonstrates the possibility of preventing a cytokine storm by inhibiting or disabling T-cell response (72). When the OX40 receptor on the T-cell is blocked, flu symptoms were prevented (73).
ACE Inhibitors and Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers:
The Renin Angiotensin system (RAS) has been implicated in the mediation of the cytokine storm (75). This suggests that there is a potential benefit derived from Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors and Angiotensin II Receptor blockers (ARB’s). ACE has been implicated in inflammatory lung pathologies (76), and has been confirmed as a useful marker for disease activity in cytokine-mediated inflammatory lung disease (77). Marshall flound that angiotensin II was associated with cytokine mediated lung injury (78) and suggested a role for ACE inhibitors. Wang published data that cytokine mediated pulmonary damage (apoptosis of the epithelial cells) in response to the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha requires the presence of angiotensin II. This suggests that ARB’s might have clinical utility against cytokine storms (79). It is suggested that ACE and ARB’s have benefit in down regulating the cytokine storm (80).
Corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDS) have been evaluated in clinical trials and have shown no effect on lung mechanics, gas exchange or biological outcome (64).
Free radical scavengers (antioxidants) have shown a reduction in organ damage and a trend toward improvement in survival (60%) after administering a variety of free radical scavengers called antioxidants (64).
TNF-alpha blockers (arthritis medications) reduce inflammation by inhibiting the tumor necrosis factor-alpha pathway to immune cell activation. These TNF-alpha blockers afforded a slight reduction in antibody presentation after vaccination against influenza (81). It, however it did not significantly affect the patients protective abilities gained from inoculation (81).
Normalizing the Cytokine Storm:
Prevent exposure to the virus.
Vitamin D supplements or Vit D from sunshine, were reported by the US Dept of ARMY (1918 Flu) to be one of the best deterrents of the virus and helped modulate the cytokine storm.
Folic acid 400 mg per day helped modulate cytokine hyper response
Pro-biotics 10 billion active cultures a day help with the over secretion of prostaglandins and histamine. This helps modulate adverse swelling and inflammation.
Ginseng, Echinacea and Garlic have demonstrated antiviral activity but they stimulate the immune system which means they could aggravate the cytokine storm.
Vitamins and minerals can help support basic nutritional needs during the flu.
Antioxidant herbs and fruits help reduce inflammation preventively and during a viral attack. Take them every four hours at double doses.
Antiviral drugs like Tamiflu and Relenza help reduce the viral load that causes the cytokine storm
Broad spectrum drugs help reduce the secondary infection which means less inflammation and fluid retention
ACE inhibitors help reduce inflammation and improve gas exchange, and may be a little better than ARBs which also work on the RAS system.
TNF-alpha may have some benefit but be careful mixing them with other drugs like ACE.
Silver Sol has been shown to destroy the virus in vitro and help prevent death in fatal bird flu infection. It can be used as a liquid or gel. The liquid should be taken two teaspoons three times a day and the gel used topically on the hands, nose and mouth twice a day.
