Unani Perspective regarding Swine Flu (Nazla Wabai)

Unani Perspective regarding Swine Flu (Nazla Wabai)

Introduction

As per Unani medicine flu like symptoms are mentioned as Humma-e- Khinzeeri or Anaf-ul- Anza which comes under Nazla Wabai. As the name suggests it is associated with pigs. Influenza viruses usually infect the respiratory tract of pigs. These viruses have the capacity to transmit in humans. In humans, they cause symptoms such as cough, nasal secretions, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, fever, head ache, may be diarrhoea and body aches.
It attacks the respiratory system, blocks the air passage channels. It is a type of hot cough and catarrh. Sometimes it is epidemic. In the beginning patient feels body ache, itching in the throat and nose, sneezing and fever. The peculiar feature of the disease is that patient becomes weak in a very short duration.

Swine flu is transmitted from person to person by inhalation or ingestion of droplets from people during sneezing or coughing. It is not transmitted by eating cooked pork products.
As this is a kind of cross-species infections (swine virus to man; human flu virus to pigs) it can be easily transmitted. It is therefore important to take precautions to avoid infection.
Those who are at high risk are children from 6 months up to four years of age, people who are of 50 years or above, adults and children who have chronic pulmonary, cardiovascular, renal, hepatic, neurological, hematologic, or metabolic disorders, people with poor immunity, pregnant women, residents of hospitals and nursing homes or health-care professionals, people who are diabetics or obese and caregivers in general.

Diagnosis of swine flu

Swine flu is diagnosed clinically by the patient's history of association with people known to have the disease and their signs and symptoms specifically listed above. Specific confirmatory test is available for the diagnosis of H1N1 Virus.

Complications of Swine Flu

In few cases patients may develop severe respiratory symptoms hence need respiratory support such as use of ventilators. If the viral infection persists patients may also get secondary infection in the form of pneumonia or SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome). Some patients may develop seizures. In severe cases a few patients may die on account of secondary bacterial infections of the lungs.

Preventive Measures 

As per Unani philosophy “Prevention is better than cure”. The disease can be prevented by maintaining good hygienic practices. The following tips are helpful.

• Wash your hands often with soap water and liquid antiseptic lotions, especially after coughing and sneezing. Use warm/boiled water for this purpose if possible.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after use. Mask is necessary for patients and visitors.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth to prevent the spread of germs.
• Avoid close contact with swine flu positive patients. In case the contact in inevitable wear mask.
• If you are sick, stay home away from school or work places to prevent others from catching infections.

Management

Unani physicians have been treating nazla wabai (swine flu) successfully from very ancient times. Unani drugs are highly popular in the treatment as these drugs are easily available anywhere, cost effective and have least side effects on the body.
As per Unani philosophy the basic principles followed for the management of the disease are:

Fundamentals of Management

• Removal of underlying cause and  arresting the disease and its complications 
• Maintaining healthy environment and good hygienic practice
• Clearing blockage of airways and to expel out toxins from respiratory tract 
• Supplementation of nutritious diet to improve the immunity of the patient
• Improvement of digestion and appetite

Drug Therapy

1. The management is usually initiated by steam inhalation
2. Take Behdana 3 gms, Unnab 5 pieces, Sapistan 9 pieces, boil the contents in 20 gms of water, filter it, add Sharbat-e- banafsha 20 ml, sprinkle 5 gms of khaksi upon it and use it orally twice a day.

• In case of increased thirst and dryness add 3 gms of Sheera-e- maghze kadu shireen muqasshhar. In case of extreme cough and irritation or congestion in throat, take Laoo’q nazli aab-e- tarbooz wala 10 gms with Gond-e- babool 1 gm, Kateera 1 gm. After making fine powder mix the contents with Khamira khashkhash 10 gms and use along with above preparation.

         OR

• Take Gaozaban 5 gms, Gul-e- gaozuban 5 gms, Unnab 5 pieces, Abresham kham muqarraz 5 gms, Asal-us-soos muqashshar 5 gms, Saboos gandum 5 gms, Misri 20 gms. Boil these ingredients and filter. Use this preparations 20 ml twice a day. In case of increased thirst and dryness add Sheera-e- tukhm-e- kahoo 3 gms.

3. Take Arq-e- ajeeb 4-8 drop in fresh water and use 4 times a day
4. Apply/Rub kafoori balm gently on chest and nose
5. Put kafoor in clean hanky/ cloth and inhale it 5-6 times a day
6. Drink Sharbat-e-Nazla 2 tsf or Joshanda Nazla with half cup lukewarm water twice in empty stomach morning and evening.
7. Take Qurs-e- Suaal 2 tabs twice along with Habb-e- Giloe 2 tabs or  Habbe akseer-e- Bukhar  2 tabs twice a day or as advised by a qualified Unani physician
8. Keep Neem and Tilsi leaves inside and outside the houses as it has tremendous potential in preventing flu like symptoms specially swine flu
9. Apply Roghan-e- Banafsha gently in the nostrils

In case of excessive diarrhoea and if patient feels lethargy 

Make fine powder of Zahar mohra 1 gm, Tabasheer 1 gm, mix well with khamira khahkhash 10 gms and use alongwith preparation mentioned at serial number 2.

Dietary Recommendations

As per recommendations of Unani physicians, easily digestible, light and soft diets are advised. Instead of water use lukewarm Arq-e- gao zuban. If the latter is not available use lukewarm water.

Precautions

Avoid cold weather, use of cold water, bathing with cold water, ice or any cold substances. Avoid daytime sleep after meal, meat and any bitter substance, thick and viscous diets, excessive exposure to sun, excessive coitus, mental exertion and inhalation of aromatic drugs or aromas. Avoid crowded areas as the chances of getting infection are common in such areas.

Note: Drugs Should be taken under the advice of the qualified Unani physician. The patients are required to follow strict Unani regimen for optimum results.