The Ultimate Swine Flu Survival Guide
 
Historically, previous pandemics, like the 1918 Spanish flu, have had several troughs and peaks, so it is not surprising that the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control reported this week that flu activity seems to be decreasing around the United States.  This does not mean we are done with the flu for this winter.  Typically, flu activity will diminish before it comes back in a second, and up to a third wave during a winter season.  What's more worrisome is recent reports of Tamiflu-resistant strains evolving.  Although, there have been isolated cases, this may be the early sign that a more severe wave is to come if a drug-resistant strain gains prominence.  Of course, if we are only focusing on attacking the virus, and not strengthening the host -- a concept foreign to Western medicine, but very akin to Eastern medicine -- we may begin to see more cases as those reported in the Ukraine.  Aside calls of panic, the Ukraine cases seem to be due to delayed access to medical care, deficient medical care (i.e. poor access to Tamiflu, a corrupt medical system), and deficiency of proper critical care equipment like ventilators.  The WHO says the death rate is no greater in the Ukraine than the observed rate in other countries. 

As I state in The Ultimate Swine Flu Survival Guide, it's not just about attacking the virus, the ability to fight off an infection depends on the health condition of the host.  The Ukraine is far north, and if we can suspect based on U.S. rates, that vitamin D deficiency is rampant there, then by late fall, vitamin D levels have dropped to levels that make people quite susceptible to respiratory illness.  Vitamin D may not be the holy grail, but it is one additional factor that we need to look at, as I write in my swine flu guide.  In addition, Ukrainians may have fared better if they only knew about a safe, cheap OTC remedy for the flu from the elderberry.  Studies have shown that elderberry extract works better than prescription anti-flu remedies against the flu.  It has worked quite well with my patients that have contracted the H1N1 influenza virus. 

Refer to these articles:
Signs That Swine Flu Has Peaked
H1N1 mutation makes swine flu virus resistant to antiviral drugs - Tamiflu doesn't work anymore
Fragile Care Worsened Swine Flu in Ukraine
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