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H1N1: Treatment and Prevention
Although the H1N1 vaccine is now available, a recent Consumer Report survey of 1,502 adults suggests that just 34 percent of Americans plan on getting vaccinated.H1N1, or swine flu as it is commonly referred to, is a new strain of the usual seasonal flu virus that is causing more severe flu symptoms and complications.
A key factor in people's decision to get vaccinated is their concern about this new vaccine's safety. Many people believe that the vaccine was developed too fast and not sufficiently tested. Others are concerned about the mercury-containing preservative thimerosol in the vaccine even though scientific evidence found no link between the vaccine and autism or other health problems.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that the H1N1 vaccine undergoes the same rigorous manufacturing and testing procedures that apply to all seasonal flu vaccines. H1N1 vaccine thimerosol content is no different from that of seasonal flu vaccines. The H1N1 vaccine is also available in thimerosol-free preparations. Clinical trials have shown the H1N1 vaccine to have similar side effects as seasonal flu vaccines.
Some people who decide not to get the H1N1 vaccine are looking at alternative therapies for the prevention and treatment of the flu. Products such as echinacea, elderberry and andrographis are thought to possess antiviral properties and have shown some benefit in the treatment of influenza.
Echinacea has evidence to suggest that it is effective in the prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract infections, like the cold. Evidence is lacking for its effect on influenza.
Elderberry has been studied for the treatment of influenza. Results suggest that elderberry is effective in treating influenza by reducing the duration and severity of flu symptoms.
Andrographis has good evidence to support its use in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections; however, evidence on its use in influenza is lacking. One clinical trial suggests that andrographis effectively reduced the duration and severity of flu symptoms.
There are some safety issues to consider with concurrent administration of herbal supplements and the influenza vaccine. Both echinacea and the flu vaccine are thought to modulate hepatic enzymes, thus certain medications that are metabolized through the liver may be affected. Also, both andrographis and the flu vaccine are thought to affect blood clotting; therefore, concurrent use may cause interactions with anticoagulant medications.
Because research is lacking on the potential for interaction between any herb or supplement and the H1N1 vaccine, it may be wise to avoid any herbal supplements when getting vaccinated.
For more information about the H1N1 virus, please visit Natural Standard's Medical Conditions database.
Amroyan E, Gabrielian E, Panossian A, et al. Inhibitory effect of andrographolide from Andrographis paniculata on PAF-induced platelet aggregation. Phytomedicine. 1999 Mar;6(1):27-31.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). www.cdc.gov
Consumer Reports. http://web.consumerreports.org.
Gorski JC, Huang SM, Pinto A, et al. The effect of echinacea (Echinacea purpurea root) on cytochrome P450 activity in vivo. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2004 Jan;75(1):89-100.
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Natural Standard: The Authority on Integrative Medicine. www.naturalstandard.com
Poli D, Chiarugi L, Capanni M, et al. Need of more frequent International Normalized Ratio monitoring in elderly patients on long-term anticoagulant therapy after influenza vaccination. Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis. 2002 Jun;13(4):297-300.
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U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
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