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THE FLU SEASON STRIKES AGAIN!

Over many parts of Europe and America, flu has been a much talked about topic this Winter, even more than usual. Some say the latest bug derives from the 'Sydney' strain of flu; others that it is the 'Moscow grippe'.

In Italy, 2 million people are estimated to have been affected by the bug. In Norway, extra nurses have reportedly been shipped in from abroad. In the USA the Centre for Disease Control said the virus was widespread in 13 states. In the UK, everyone's talking about it. One thing is certain our current purchase of new premises has been plagued by surveyors or other agents sweating in bed at the most inconvenient moments!

DRUG COMPANIES HAPPY!
Still it's not bad news for everyone! UK pharmaceutical company Glaxo's new drug 'Relenza', and Hoffmann La Roche's 'Tamiflu' have received a welcome boost from the flu coverage in the press. Such coverage is especially needed by them in Europe, where they are not allowed to advertise to the public as they are in America. Tamiflu is currently available only in the USA, Canada and Switzerland, but is expected to be approved for use in Europe next Winter.

Relenza, introduced in the US in August 99, was the first of this type of 'flu treatment on the market. A total of 500,000 prescriptions were written for it in December, worldwide. This included only a few from the UK, where the National Health Service (NHS) told doctors that at around £30 a sniff (Relenza is inhaled), it was too expensive to prescribe.

Public pressure in the UK may change this stance. Drug companies need 'blockbusters' to keep them in business. The 'flu market is huge and beckoning, even if it is so seasonal. Hence the benefit of 'flu press coverage to the drug giants. So far in Europe, only the Irish, German, and Swedish health authorities have agreed to pay for Relenza.

The American Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has recently issued a warning that Relenza which is inhaled can cause problems for those with asthma or lung disease. (Not surprising, for a 'sniffed' drug, when you think about it.) But this is not likely to affect it's long term sales growth.

IT ONLY SEEMS LIKE AN EPIDEMIC
According to the World Health Organisation, this is "not a gentle strain of flu, but it's not particularly nasty either". Experts in the UK say we don't have a 'flu epidemic. That requires 400 cases per thousand, we are presently at only half this level. 

So why have so many problems been highlighted in the UK press? Admittedly, the UK's problems are exacerbated by the high occupancy rate of hospital beds. So, if there is a surge in demand there is very little spare capacity. And any poor patient sleeping in a hospital corridor on a trolley is naturally a good newspaper story.

But, is that all there is to the bad situation this year? Let's look more closely.

WEAK LUNGS MAY HOLD THE KEY
Certainly in the UK, and no doubt the same applies in all the other damp parts of the Western world, what most people actually die of is Lung disease. They are weakened by other ailments, mainly heart disease and cancer, until eventually they succumb to pneumonia or a similar Lung disease.

So, is it possible that poorer Lung health is making 'flu particularly bad this year?

BRONCHITIS ON THE INCREASE IN THE UK
Let's have a look at the figures in the UK. The Royal College of General Practitioners state that acute bronchitis, which can be caused by 'flu, peaked at 943 per 100,000, much higher than the usual Winter figure of 600-800. The college say "this is the reason hospitals are pressurised by this outbreak."

So is that why 'flu seems so bad this year? Are the weak lungs of the western world showing through? It certainly looks as if that may be the case.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Look after yourself by boosting not only the Immune System, see later article, but also the Lungs, especially when Winter approaches. This is true whatever age you may be. But it is even more important if you are in later years, or you have relatives who are. You owe it to yourself, or to them, to boost health with a course of natural treatment for 1. the Immune System, and 2. the Lungs.

Which natural medicine to use? Use the one, or combination, you prefer; Acupuncture, Homoeopathy, Reflexology can be great. Or use herbs, a 3 months course of an Immune formula and the same of a Lung formula. Take your chosen course of treatment now. Repeat it every Autumn before the Winter sets in. Put it in your diary! Use the method you favour, but USE IT!

This is good advice for everyone, but if you suffer from Asthma, Bronchitis, or frequent coughs, colds, sore throats, or 'flu it has to be absolutely essential, every year. Think about it! You know it makes sense!

And leave the Relenza where it belongs, in the Pharmacy :-)

Good Health!

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