Influenza is a highly infectious disease caused by the Influenza virus that affects the respiratory tract. There are three main strains of influenza virus, designated A, B and C. The viruses quickly produce new strains which is why an attack of one is unlikely to provide protection against a later bout of the disease. Influenza is most common during winter and spring seasons. However, It may occur during any season.

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1. Wind-cold syndrome: severe aversion to cold, mild fever, without sweating, headache, soreness of the limbs, nasal discharge, runny nose, cough with thin sputum, thin and white tongue coating, floating and tight pulse.

2. Wind-heat syndromes: higher fever, slight aversion to cold, headache, cough, sore throat with congestion, yellow and thick sputum, thirst or epistaxis (bleeding from the nose), red tongue with thin and yellowish coating, and a rapid pulse.

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Syndrome (a)
Wind-cold Syndrome

To treat by Herbal medicine
Therapeutic principle: By using herbal medicine, the cold wind is eliminated and the exterior syndrome is removed.
Prescription/Formula: Modified Antiphlogistic Powder of Schizonepeta and Ledebouriella.
1. schizonepeta, Herba Schizonepetae 10 g
2. ledebouriella root, Radix Ledebouriellae 10 g
3. notopterygium root, Rhizoma Seu Radix Notopterygii 10 g
4. bupleurum root, Radix Bupleuri 10g
5. peucedanum root, Radix Peucedani 10 g
6. perilla leaf, Folium Perillae 10 g
7. platycodon root, Radix Platycodi 10 g
8. fresh ginger, Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens 3 pieces.
Decoct the above drugs in water for oral administration.

To treat by Acupuncture and Moxibustion
Therapeutic principle: By using the points from the Du, Taiyang and Shaoyang meridians you can eleminate wind cold and relieve exterior symptoms.

Prescription/Formula: Fengfu (Du 16), Fengmen (B12), Fengchi (G20), Lieque (L 7), Hegu (LI 4).

  

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Syndrome (b)
Wind-heat Syndrome

To treat by Herbal medicine
Therapeutic principle: By using herbal medicine, the hot wind is eliminated and the exterior syndrome is removed.

Prescription/Formula: Modified Powder of Lonicera and Forsythia
1. honeysuckle flower, Flos Lonicerae 30 g
2. forsythia fruit, Fructus Forsythiae 15g
3. isatis root, Radix Isatidis 30g
4. pueraria root, Radix puerariae 20g
5. mulberry fruit, Fructus Archii 12g
6. chrysanthemum, Flos Chrysanthemi 10g
7. arctium fruit, Fruchtus Arctii 12g
8. lophatherum, Herba Lophatheri 10g
9. platycodon root, Radix Platycodi 10g.
Decocted the above drugs in water for oral administration.

To treat by Acupuncture and Moxibustion
Therapeutic principle: By using the points from the Du, Shaoyang and Yangming Meridians, you can eliminate wind heat and other pathogenic (disease causing) factors.

Prescription/Formula: Dazhui (Du 14), Quchi (LI 11), Waiguan (SJ 5), Hegu (LI 4), Yuji (L 10), Shaoshang (L 11).

  

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5. Healing by Other Therapies

For effect of Qigong on Metabolism, click here.

Generally speaking, Qigong is good for healing effect of this specific ailment, however individual results may vary. It improves the flow of the qi and the circulation of the blood, so you'll experience more energy, but, you won't see/ feel any immediate effects, as with many exercises and therapies, it takes a few weeks or even months of practice before you'll see any significant improvements.

The following types of Qigong may help:

• Static Qigong:
  Relaxation Qigong
  Inner-Nourishing Qigong
  Standing Qigong
  
• Dynamic Qigong:
  Fifteen Sets of Taiji-Qigong
  Baduanjing of Internal Exercise
  Hua Tuo's Frolics of Five Animals
  Taiji
  

For the information of different types of Qigong ,just click a link above.

This information is for education purpose only. We strongly advise you seek a licensed Qigong master to learn the correct ways to conduct these exercises before attempting them.

(b) Medicated diet
While suffering from influenza, the patient should take such light food as thin gruel, fish and vegetable. Drink more hot water.
1) Wind-cold Syndrome
Get appropriate quantity of fresh ginger, cut it into slices, put them into a cup of boiling water, add some red sugar. For better result, drink it while it is still hot.
2) Wind-heat Syndrome
Dissolve Chrysamthemum extract (Juhuajing) in boiling water, drink it frequently.

(c) Life style
1) Remember to wear enough clothing when the weather changes. Take care not to catch cold or rain.
2) Have enough sleep.
3) Increase the circulation of air in the room. Don't go to the public area often.

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6. Psychological Adaptation to a Chronic and Severe Illness
One encounters different health problems in the course of one's life. Some problems are acute yet minor and often improve by themselves or yield to simple self-management. Severe and acute conditions often necessitate the help of health professionals who may provide fast relief with specific interventions. However, when the condition is chronic, the management required is quite different.

Please click the following button to learn "Psychological Adaptation to a Chronic and Severe Illness".

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Acknowledgments:
Healthphone.com greatly acknowledges the support and dedication of our
Healing Centre Panel, without whom this section would not be possible.

We also greatly acknowedge Ms. Najaf Munir, MBBS, for her editorial support. Ms. Munir simplified the highly technical medical documents into easy-to-read documents, for the enjoyment and education of our numerous visitors.