Posted on 04/26/2009 11:38:38 AM PDT by Jenny Hatch
I agree that sunlight is best, but with serious influenza the clock is ticking. 48 hours is likely too long to wait.
However, there are likewise some other strategies, unproven, that also might help. For example, typically flu reproduces in the upper RT and sinuses (importantly, H5N1 reproduces in other internal organs as well, which is one of its more frightening elements.)
The standard upper RT treatment is gargling with warm, salted water, to which I would add in this case using saline nasal spray. It performs several different functions, clearing excess mucous that provides a growth medium, desiccating pathogens, increasing circulation, etc.
As I mentioned with Cold-Eeze lozenges, zinc inhibits viral reproduction, but it may not be unique in this, as colloidal silver is also known to do this.
Cranberry juice in quantity has been shown to inhibit virus to cell adhesion for several different viruses that cause urinary and gastrointestinal tract infections, especially reoviruses or rotaviruses. But it is unknown if it could perform the same function for influenza viruses.
Similar effects for narovirus also known as Norwalk virus, from drinking blueberry juice, and pomegranate juice is also regarded as a potentially potent antiviral.
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