Home Therapists Treatments Products

- sudden fever (over 38C/100.4F)

- sudden cough

- fatigue/tiredness

- loss of appetite

- headache

- chills

- aching muscles or joints

- upset stomach - nausea, diarrhoea or vomiting

- sore throat, runny nose, sneezing

- have a serious underlying illness

- are pregnant

- have sick child under 1 year old

- suddenly get more ill

- are still getting worse after 7 days (5 days for a child)

Some clinical trials have been done to look at whether taking homeopathic remedies, particularly a remedy called Oscillococcinum (also known as Anas Barbariae), can help prevent people getting influenza or reduce the severity of the symptoms. The research did not find any significant effect in prevention, but did show promising signs in reducing the length of the illness. You can read a summary of the research at www.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab001957

There are also a number of other homeopathic remedies that may help reduce the severity of flu symptoms. Different people will need different remedies, depending on their particular symptoms - see below for more information.

If you feel confident in using homeopathy, a list of some of the most commonly used remedies is given below. You can order remedies from Helios or buy many of them from chemists or health food shops. Alternatively, you can contact one of the homeopaths at Wellforce for advice. Our fully qualified team can advise you on the most suitable homeopathic remedy for your particular symptoms and can then prescribe the remedies as required. If you already have a homeopath, please contact them first; if not please email info@wellforce.co.uk or call 0114 276 9500 to make an appointment.

Burning discharges, irritating the nose and throat - mucus membranes red and sore

Exhaustion, collapse

Recurring fever and sweating - particularly heavy sweating at night

Feel very chilly - can't bear cold

Tendency to diarrhoea, may also be vomiting

Hoarse racking cough - difficult to cough anything up

Sudden onset of symptoms, often in the middle of the night

High fever, with flushed face and glassy eyes - may be delirious

Patient will feel burning hot and red, but often not much sweating

Throbbing headache

Thirsty

Symptoms are worse for touch, light or any jarring movement

Symptoms come on slowly

Feel worse for any kind of movement, even talking or opening eyes

Irritable, want to be left alone

Feel very dry and thirsty - want lots of cold water

Dry cough with stitching pains on coughing

Intense headache, especially round forehead

Pains may feel better for firm pressure on the affected place

Sudden onset of illness

Deep aching pains in the back and bones - feel like they are broken or bruised

Bursting headache at back of head, with nausea

Shivering chills down back, especially in the mornings

Hoarseness in the mornings, and pain in chest when coughing

Very thirsty for cold water, but may vomit after eating or drinking

Very chilly

Symptoms come on slowly.

Aching, heaviness and weariness throughout the body, especially limbs - legs may tremble when try to stand up.

Drowsy, fuzzy headed, forgetful - drooping eyelids

Clammy skin, with flushes of cold and hot - chills running up and down spine, flushed face

Congestion in the head, especially starting at the back of the head

Dry lips but not thirsty

Symptoms come on slowly

High temperature - may feel hot inside yet cold to touch

Pain and stiffness in joints

Very restless, constantly moving around in bed

Feel worse for any cold drafts

Want small sips of cold water

Nux vomica (Nux-v)

Many people seem to be finding this remedy most helpful for this flu outbreak, so it may be the first one to consider, so long as there is a good match with your symptoms

Severe chills throughout the body and limbs - feel freezing inside, even when covered up with blankets, but feel even worse when uncovered

Aching in the body, which doesn't feel better for movement

Sore throat which feels better for warm drinks

Thirsty, with dry mouth, throat or lips

Nausea

Fatigue, feel better for sleep

Dull, flat, indifferent mood, or may be irritable

* These three remedies can be used separately, or bought in a "combination remedy" from Helios pharmacy (www.helios.co.uk/swine_flu). This combination has traditionally been used to prevent and treat the early stages of flu, although no formal trials have been carried out. Anas barbariae (see above) can also be purchased from Helios - 200 potency is recommended - and tried in a similar way - see the next section for guidance on how to take remedies.

Other remedy suggestions for flu are also given on Helios's website.

·Choose the remedy that matches your symptoms best

·Take the remedy in a clean mouth - when you have not eaten or drunk anything for at least 10 minutes - and don't eat or drink for at least 10 minutes after

·Take one pill and let it dissolve in your mouth

·Repeat the dose 3 times a day for a couple of days - if there is no change after this time you probably need to stop and try another remedy

·If the symptoms are much improved you can stop the remedy and only take it again if/when things worsen again

-Rest as much as possible

-Drink plenty of clear fluids

-Eat as little and often as you feel you need to

-Only take as much aspirin, paracetamol etc as you have to - these drugs are very useful in relieving symptoms but they also stop your body's natural healing processes to some degree

-Consider using Echinacea, Vitamin C (at least 1000mg a day), Zinc or other vitamin and mineral supplements to boost your immune system