The highly pathogenic Avian Flu was initially described in Italy circa 1878, were it was known as the ' Lombardy disease'. It was not until 1955, when the responsible virus was described as a virus of the Influenza A family. In its natural reservoir, infected aquatic birds do not bear any symptoms.
The first correlation between the H4N1 viruses with respiratory diseases occurred in Hong Kong in 1997, when 18 such cases in humans were known, related to markets that had sales of live poultry. This epidemic was associated with a high mortality rate (33%), pneumonia (61%) and a high incidence of patients having to be assisted in respiratory care units (51%).
All of the virus genes were of avian origin, suggesting that H5N1 had jumped the species barrier without adapting to them. Serologic monitoring reveals little evidence of human-human transmission.
The influenza viruses (virus ARN) of type A are subdivided in subtypes based on proteins hemagglutinin and neuraminidase. There are 16 types of hemagglutinin and 9 different neuraminidase subtypes from which provide 144 different combinations of H and N. All the subtypes are able to infect birds, but not to cause the disease. To date all bursts' of the hyper pathogenic form have been caused solely by the subtypes H5 and H7 (equipped with variants 5 and 7 with hemagglutinin).
Migratory aquatic birds, mainly wild ducks, constitute the natural reservoir of the avian flu virus, and they are also the most resistant to the infection. Domestic fowls (poultry) are the most vulnerable.
In humans, since the H5N1 is an influenza virus, the symptoms can be similar to those of a common influenza (flu), with fever, cough, parched throat and muscle pains. However, patients can develop complications such as pneumonia and others severe affections of the respiratory apparatus that can, possibly, eventually cause death. Patients infected with H5N1 have presented/displayed few cases of conjunctivitis, unlike the human cases of the H7 virus.
The World Health Organization (the WHO) (2005) emitted a world-wide epidemic (pandemic) influenza alert possibility in a near future.
The number of cases by country and its mortality according to WHO, to date, are: Cambodia 4 cases 100% mortality, China 15 cases 75% of mortality, Indonesia 28 cases 75% of mortality, Iraq 2 cases 100%, Thailand 22 cases with 63%, Turkey 12 cases with 33,3%, Vietnam 93 cases with 45.2% mortality rates respectively.
The virulence of this virus is in constant increase according to studies carried out, which increases the risk of its transmissibility and severity, which has created an alert status world-wide.
Treatment
Although there is no treatment able to obtain a cure against an avian influenza infection, an experimental alternative has been considered using neuraminidase inhibitors, such as oseltamivir and zanavir, and another group of medicines known as lM2 inhibitors that includes amantadine and rimantadine. On the other hand, the development of a vaccine has until now been unsuccessful because this virus mutates very quickly and it would be necessary to develop a specific vaccine for each serotype, as its been done at the moment with human influenza.
From the point of view of the Systemic Medicine, the human cell as well as the virus are Systems Living whose potential of survival depends on its Bio-intelligence, Energy and Organization, reason why any disease in the human being of viral etiology, including avian Influenza, consists literally of a battle which will be won by whomever has more Bio-intelligence, Energy and Organization.
The response capacity and the alert status of the guest's immunological system, in this case the human being, plays a vital role in the case of H5N1 infection.
Next I will describe, as an example, proven effects of some adaptogens used in Systemic medicine in the treatment of diseases, where it is necessary to harness the immunological system: Astrágalus membranáceus Stimuli of the phagocytic capacity of macrophages, intensifies cell phagocytosis of the reticular-endothelial system, increases the activity of lymphocytes T, stimulates natural Interferon production, inhibits replication of some virus like the Coxsackie; Echinacea Increases the phagocytosis capacity, increases the activity of lymphocytes T in producing antibodies and has the capacity to improve the production and operation of linfoquines, neutrophils, eosinophils and monocytes), Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian Ginseng) Increases the production and activity of lymphocytes T helpers and NK, increases the production of Interferon, inhibits the replication of human rhinovirus, the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and has antiviral activity against influenza A virus, Tabebuia avellandedae (Wood of Arc) Antiviral proven effect against Influenza, enterovirus, poliovirus, herpes-virus I and II, Epstein-Barr virus.
On the other hand, the H5N1 virus alters the patient's humoral immunity, increasing the production of Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-A). The following adaptogens strongly diminish TNF-A production: Astrágalus membranáceus , Andrographis paniculata (Kang jang) , Morinda citrifolia (Noni) , Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) and Uncaria tomentosa .
When combining these adaptogenic plants, a synergic effect is obtained that powers the person's immunological system, protecting it from the threat of a viral disease, in this case the frightful avian influenza
Systemic Medicine provides an important therapeutic arsenal, based on the use of superior plants -adaptogens- whose objective is to increase the human body's survival potential which will allow him to win the battles against any microbial biological system, be it bacterium, fungi or virus, including H5N1. We are speaking of one possible solution to a pandemic and in the worst scenario, natural products that can diminish its severity.
