In the midwest, hundreds of children have been hospitalized with the Enterovirus D-68. This is a serious respiratory virus that can cause wheezing and coughing.
Coughing without covering your mouth can spread a respiratory virus.
According to Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, the virus infects the gastrointestinal tract. “It often spreads when children get fecal matter on their hands and then touch their mouths.” The virus can also be spread by coughing. The virus can also live on surfaces such as doorknobs, toys, eating utensils, and other frequently touched objects.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/09/08/midwest-enterovirus-hospitalizations/15277115/
At the bottom of this article you will find the recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Health on preventing the spread of this virus.
But what does the natural health world have to say about this virus?
First, it seems like if it enters through the GI tract, diet would be especially important. Limit sugars, sweets, alcohol. If you aren’t taking probiotics on a regular basis, be sure to start doing so. One probiotic that is particularly good at dealing with such bugs that are going around that can affect the GI tract is Saccharomyces boulardii. You should consider adding 1 – 2 capsules (morning and evening if you choose two) per day to your usual regimen. This probiotic is widely available.
Second, homeopathy can help. Since this virus has made its appearance, we have been experiencing typical fall weather. Warm days and cool nights. We did have a few days of cool days and cool nights as well, but largely, it has been a typical fall. The remedy frequently needed for this type of weather is Dulcamara. It would be good to have some available in a 30C. However, if you get sick, don’t assume you need this remedy. It still has to match the physical symptoms. So call your homeopath before taking it. If you wish to have some on hand and can’t find it in the local health food store, please call me at the number below, and I can get some to you.
However, if you have a history of respiratory illness, it is best to consult your professional homeopath before trying to treat this at home. And if you are wheezing or having difficulty breathing, you should go to the nearest ER.
There are ways that homeopathy can also help prevent such a virus from taking hold. If you have a chronic respiratory illness such as Asthma, you should seek constitutional care from a professional homeopath to heal and strengthen your respiratory system.
Please read the post on Influenza to get more information on how homeopathy can help. I recently reposted this blog from 2012 and you can find it here. The advice posted here is relevant to this enterovirus as well.
Here is good advice from the Minnesota Department of Health. They leave out some important suggestions, but I have included them above.
You can help protect yourself and others from respiratory illnesses by following these steps:
- People who are sick with respiratory illness should limit their contact with others, cover their coughs and sneezes, and wash their hands frequently.
- Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing, going to the bathroom or changing diapers.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.
- Avoid kissing, hugging, and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are sick.
- Disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is sick.
http://www.health.state.mn.us/news/pressrel/2014/enterovirus091714.html
Be well,
Kathryn
651-748-1556
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Some of you know me, others of you may have heard of me. And for most, you probably have no clue about me or my business. So I wanted to take a few minutes to introduce myself, my family, my business, why I am a homeopath and how I became a homeopath—not necessarily in that order.