Title: The Ongoing Battle Against Flu: Insights from Oriental Medicine Expert
By [Author Name], Medical Correspondent
An Overview of Influenza and its Varied Symptoms
The world is grappling with an enduring influenza epidemic, caused by the highly contagious influenza virus. This infectious respiratory disease not only leads to the typical symptoms of cough and sore throat but also brings about systemic manifestations like body aches, fatigue, as well as digestive issues such as nausea and vomiting. Additionally, a persistent high fever of 38 degrees Celsius or above accompanies these distressing symptoms.
Distinguishing the Various Types of Influenza
Influenza can be categorized into different types, namely influenza A, B, and C. Type A influenza is zoonotic, meaning it can infect both animals and humans, often leading to widespread epidemics. Two historically notable type A influenza outbreaks were the Spanish flu in 1918 and the swine flu in 2009. On the other hand, type B influenza predominantly affects humans and typically manifests as milder symptoms. However, it notably spreads more easily among children. Influenza type C, though capable of infecting both humans and animals, has a considerably lower incidence rate.
Transmission and Preventive Measures
With its high contagiousness, the flu can easily spread through respiratory droplets from an infected individual. Furthermore, the virus can survive on surfaces, making indirect transmission possible through contact with the face. To combat the transmission of the flu, crucial preventive measures such as regular handwashing, proper utilization of hand sanitizers, and refraining from touching the face are highly recommended during flu season. Vaccination and antiviral drugs form the cornerstone of current flu treatment, although the consistency of vaccine effectiveness remains a challenge due to the variation in flu strains each year.
An Eastern Perspective: Oriental Medicine and Flu Management
Oriental medicine offers a comprehensive approach to flu treatment, focusing on both onset and post-recovery care. Two significant disciplines, Sang-Han Theory and Ar-Plinology, delve into the intricacies of acute and serious respiratory diseases. Dating back over 2000 years, the Sanghanron book presents an array of treatment methods for acute infectious diseases, including colds, flu, coronavirus, and typhoid fever. Ar-Plinology, a discipline originating in the Qing Dynasty, complements the Sang-Han Theory, addressing the treatment gaps in acute infectious diseases.
Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Research
In light of China’s successful implementation of herbal medicine during the SARS outbreak in 2003, traditional remedies have gained attention in combating the flu. Notably, a study published in 2011 highlighted the remarkable efficacy and safety of ‘Eungyosangagambang’ against influenza type A virus. Similarly, research conducted in Japan suggested that ‘mahuang-tang’ exhibits comparable therapeutic effects to widely used antiviral drugs, such as Tamiflu or Relenza.
Recovery Challenges and Tailored Solutions
In severe cases of flu, prolonged dry cough and worsening dry mouth may occur due to depleted body fluids. This weakened immune state makes individuals susceptible to other viruses. However, personalized strengthening prescriptions, combined with herbs that replenish body fluids and enhance immunity, can lead to a rapid recovery and improved physical strength.
As the flu epidemic rages on, medical professionals seek solace and answers from both Western and Eastern medicine. Understanding the intricacies of the influenza virus and utilizing a holistic approach could pave the way toward more effective treatments and preventive measures.
About the Author
[Author Name] is a distinguished medical correspondent and expert in Oriental medicine. As the director of Mokdong Branch at Hamsoa Oriental Medical Clinic, [Author Name] has extensive experience in treating respiratory diseases and infectious conditions. Armed with a deep understanding of holistic healthcare, [Author Name] continues to explore innovative approaches to improve patient outcomes.
Lee Jong-hoon, director of Mokdong Branch of Hamsoa Oriental Medical Clinic
The flu epidemic has been going on for a long time. Influenza, or influenza, is an infectious respiratory disease caused by the influenza virus. If you catch the flu, you will experience not only respiratory symptoms such as cough and sore throat, but also systemic symptoms such as body aches and fatigue, and digestive symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, along with a fever of 38 degrees or higher.
Type A influenza infects animals and humans, sometimes causing widespread epidemics. The famous Spanish flu of 1918 and the swine flu of 2009 are both type A flu. In contrast, type B flu infects people almost exclusively, generally causes mild symptoms, and is more likely to spread among children. Influenza Type C is a virus that infects both humans and animals, but the incidence of the disease is low.
The flu is highly contagious. It is easily spread by droplets from an infected person and can survive on the surfaces of the mouth or nose, so indirect transmission is also possible by touching the face. So, during flu season, washing your hands regularly, using hand sanitizer, and avoiding touching your face can help greatly reduce viral infection. Currently, flu treatment is achieved through prevention through vaccination and taking antiviral drugs. Vaccines are created each year by collecting flu data from each country, but the effectiveness rate of the vaccine is not consistent.
Flu treatment in Oriental medicine involves treatment at the time of onset and managing the after effects. In Eastern medicine, there are two disciplines that study acute and serious respiratory diseases like the flu in detail: Sang-Han Theory and Ar-Plinology. Sanghanron is a book published over 2000 years ago that contains treatments for almost all acute infectious diseases such as colds, flu, coronavirus, and typhoid fever. Oncology is a discipline that originated in the Qing Dynasty and introduces treatments that complement the shortcomings of the upper hand theory in the treatment of acute infectious diseases.
China has been using a lot of herbal medicine not only to treat the large-scale SARS outbreak in 2003, but also to treat the flu. In 2011, a paper was published stating that ‘Eungyosangagambang’ has an excellent treatment effect and safety against influenza type A virus. Eungyosan has excellent antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects in the early stage of acute respiratory diseases such as influenza. In Japan, a study showed that ‘mahuang-tang’ has the same therapeutic effect as Tamiflu or Relenza in treating the flu.
On the other hand, in situations where body fluids are low after suffering from severe flu, a dry cough may last longer and dry mouth may worsen. In this case, the immune system is weakened along with physical strength, so it is easy to get infected with other viruses. At this time, you can expect a rapid recovery of physical strength and immunity by using a strengthening prescription that suits the individual’s constitution and adding herbs that replenish body fluids and improve immunity.
Lee Jong-hoon, director of Mokdong Branch of Hamsoa Oriental Medical Clinic
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