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Flu Guide:
February 15-29,
2008
by Domenick J Masiello, DO, DHt
Flu is now widespread throughout the
United States. The CDC reports that influenza is widespread now
in all states with the exception of Florida. What is also being
reported by the CDC is that this year's vaccine may be effective
only 40% of the time. It seems that when the vaccine was
formulated last spring, the strain that is currently causing
most of the problem was left out of the vaccine. The so-called
Brisbane or H3N2 strain was not included in the mix.
Readers should understand that the
flu vaccine is never 100% effective. It is usually only about
70% effective (the CDC states 70-90%) and this is due to when
the vaccine is prepared. The strains are selected during the
spring before any given flu season. By the time the vaccine is
manufactured and distributed several months later, the viruses
originally selected have undergone some change in the wild.
Their structure may have changed and an immune system vaccinated
with these strains may not respond with maximal efficiency when
it encounters them in the environment several months later. This
"antigenic drift" is like not recognizing your best friend
walking down the street because of a change in wardrobe. So even
when the selected strains are the right ones, the protection
will not be perfect. Of course, when one or more strains are not
even included in the vaccine (like this year), then all bets are
off.
Luckily,
Eupatorium Perfoliatum will still treat this year's flu
regardless of any of the shortcomings of the influenza vaccine.
Its efficacy is not dependent on the name of the strain or
strains causing the symptoms. It should be taken at the first
sign of flu symptoms. I have been using the 200C potency, one
dose daily for three days.
For the CDC's Media Relations link
on this issue, check out this link:
http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/Media/transcripts/2008/t080214.htm
 Dr.
Domenick Masiello, D.O. is
board
certified in Family Practice (C-FP), Osteopathic Manipulation
(C-SPOMM) and Homeopathy (D.Ht.). Dr. Masiello is published in
many peer reviewed journals and continues to practice in New
York City. He graduated in 1985 from the New York College of
Osteopathic Medicine and completed his internship at Kennedy
Memorial Hospital in New Jersey.
You can read more about Dr. Masiello here, and contact him
for appointments at
212-688-4818. |
