Influenza

Suppressing Information About the Swine Flu

Today on the news I heard an announcement that stunned me. Welcome to Brave New World. The FDA is pursuing and shutting down anyone on the Internet that offers “cures” for the swine flu – other than the FDA endorsed vaccine, Tamiflu or Relenza.

What’s wrong with this picture? First of all, there is no proof that Tamiflu or Relenza “cure” the flu. In the first 24 hours, there is some beneficial effect; however, side effects include: skin reactions, bizarre behavior, nausea and vomiting. (And, this is from the official Tamiflu web site)

The effects in children are even more severe. As reported in the UK Guardian in July of 2009 over half the school children given Tamiflu had adverse effects, including nearly 1/3rd who felt “sick”, nearly ¼ who reported headaches and more than 1/5th who reported stomach aches.

An article published in the London Times on-line edition in August 2009 went so far as to say children with the flu not be given Tamiflu due to the fact that side effects outweigh the benefits. One of the authorities quoted stated that “the only benefit found in the study was that children who took Tamiflu or Relenza were back to normal between half a day and a day earlier. His advice to GPs was ’not to rely on Tamiflu as a treatment to reduce complications’ or to think of it as a ‘magic bullet’. The antivirals had little or no effect on asthma flare-ups, ear infections or the likelihood of a child needing antibiotics.”

Another web site reports on even more alarming symptoms, although it tries to minimize them: “More serious side effects have also sometimes been reported. According to the FDA, ‘there have been reports (mostly from Japan) since Tamiflu became available of patients causing self-injury or experiencing delirium (confusion, hallucinations, speech problems) while using Tamiflu.’ While these ‘reports were mostly in children,’ it is still not known if they were actually caused by taking Tamiflu”.

And then there is all of the adverse effects associated with vaccines. You will have to decide for yourself whether or not you want to expose your children and yourself to those. (See my article “Swine Flu Vaccine Alert” for more.)

To me, the most frightening piece of this picture is that those of us who prefer to provide natural, alternative therapies are now being targeted by the government as “scammers” and “quacks.” Apparently, free speech does not apply to health care. Where will it end?

There is plenty of documented, scientific evidence that St. John’s Wort is effective against encapsulated viruses – like the influenza viruses. (see my article “West Nile Virus & St. John’s Wort”) And, I have clinical evidence that Thymunose (an immune stimulant) shortens the course of the illness, without any of the serious side effects of the prescription drugs.

I find it frightening that the FDA can step in and limit our health care choices. And, there is no recourse from the government. However, I feel it is my responsibility to tell my clients what I know about strategies to keep themselves and their families healthy.

Does this apply to you? If so, see our information on Consultations.

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