— Originally published in the Source weekly, from Dr Phillips’ monthly column, The Medicine Cabinet Within.
If you have not had it yourself at this point, you probably know friends or family who have, as the seasonal influenza — the flu — is making the rounds in Oregon. We are in the middle of this year’s flu season, which typically affects people between the months of December and February. While we often hear that there is little that can be done for prevention or treatment, many of the tools and approaches of holistic medicine have much to offer.
Influenza is a respiratory virus that for some means a few days of mild illness. While for others, it can mean a week or more of feeling very sick, and for a smaller percentage of individuals, including in many cases those who are elderly, it can be a very serious respiratory infection resulting in hospitalization.
We have had the option of flu vaccination as a preventative measure for many years; however, the efficacy of this treatment varies greatly from year to year. An NIH meta-analysis of studies looking into this question reported an overarching efficacy of only 33% for flu vaccine. For many individuals, this degree of effectiveness, along with the rare serious adverse reactions that can occur, have left many choosing not to vaccinate as a preventative approach.
The good news is that our immune systems are well adapted for exposure to respiratory viruses and, in most cases, can recover without serious consequences. The body’s fever response may be one of the most important adaptations. When our body’s temperature rises to between 101- and 103-degrees Fahrenheit, we have a markedly increased ability to fight viral infections. Unfortunately, fever also means feeling lousy. The temptation to take a pain reliever like Tylenol is all too effective at knocking down that important fever. This well-meaning attempt to try to feel better quicker can slow the body’s ability to clear infection, often resulting in even more days being sick, lingering mucous, phlegm and respiratory congestion. For more on this, check out my article “The Wisdom of Fever,” published in an earlier issue of the Source Weekly.
One theory for our increased susceptibility to viral infections this time of year is the decreasing levels of vitamin D in our systems. As the sun falls lower in the sky in the winter, we are exposed to less UVB radiation to convert vitamin D into its bioactive form. A balanced and effective immune system requires adequate levels of this important vitamin in our bodies. I, therefore, routinely recommend daily supplementation to my patients, and if there is any question, this is an easy and routine lab test your doctor can run. While studies vary, most suggest that an optimal range for vitamin D in blood serum is between 55 and 85 ng/mL.
A healthy gut is also paramount to a healthy immune system, and while it might not be intuitive, foods that inflame the gut and the body in general can make a run in with the flu more serious. Individuals who have had repeated antibiotics likely have an imbalanced gut microflora — also known as dysbiosis — which can negatively impact immune function. A reputable probiotic formula to help reestablish healthy gut microflora goes a long way toward supporting a healthy immune system.
Vitamin C is also important, as this vitamin has also been shown to support the immune system’s antiviral response. Many Western and Chinese herbs are also very helpful, but it is important to choose the right herbs at the right time. Wet versus dry coughs, early or mid-infection, fever or no fever are all considerations for which herbs are most likely to act. Checking in with your integrative doctor or herbalist is the way to go here.
Reviewing the current Oregon Health Authority influenza surveillance data shows we may have just passed through the worst of it in Oregon. This data shows the highest levels of hospitalizations and positive tests were right around Christmas, with numbers markedly declining in the last week.
By taking great care of ourselves at this time of year and utilizing these tips, we might not avoid the flu altogether, but we can certainly lessen the severity and duration of respiratory