Because flu viruses change and evolve (and the flu vaccine includes only three of the most common flu viruses each year), getting vaccinated may not prevent you from influenza. Children and the elderly tend to be most susceptible to serious complications from the flu.Yet according to a recent meta-analysis, researchers could not find a single study that showed a flu vaccine led to the reduction in mortality or serious flu complications in children.

These same researchers reviewed evidence for using the flu vaccine among the elderly, and they found that it is only modestly effective in preventing hospitalizations—as long as the vaccine and the circulating viruses are antigenically similar. The author of both of these meta-analyses asserts, “Our review showed that influenza vaccines below the age of two have the same effects as placebo.” Even worse, his research did not find a single study that verified the safety of flu vaccines in children under three years of age.

Conventional Treatment
Mainstream over-the-counter medical treatment for the flu is equally problematic. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) analyzed 7,000 blood samples of flu viruses collected from people in various countries and found resistance to conventional antiviral drugs. It should also be noted that these drugs seem useful in only reducing “influenza A” virus (if you happen to have that type of flu) for about one day.
Unfortunately, the media’s take on last year’s flu may lead many people to take conventional drugs for even minor flu symptoms, increasing the chances of speeding up flu virus’ resistance to these antivirals.

The Homeopathic Alternative
There are, however, good reasons for homeopaths and their patients not to fear the flu. The premise behind homeopathy is that symptoms represent defenses of the body, and rather than use drugs that inhibit or suppress symptoms, homeopathy uses very small “nanodoses” of medicinal agents that are prescribed based on their toxicology. In other words, whatever a substance causes in overdose will elicit a healing response when given in specially prepared nanodoses. The logic of the homeopathic approach considers symptoms to be adaptations and defenses of the body to infection and/or stress, so it makes sense to mimic the body’s wisdom rather than suppress it.

For treatment of the flu, homeopaths have several proven treatments. Three double-blind, placebo-controlled trials successfully used a homeopathic medicine called Oscillococcinum (or Oscillo) to treat people with the flu or an influenza-like syndrome. (It’s important to note that each study was conducted by separate researchers.)
The trick to getting the best results with Oscillococcinum is to use it within 48 hours of the onset of the flu. After this time, a more individually chosen remedy based on the sick person’s specific symptoms is necessary: Using a homeopathic self-care book, asking the trained staff at your natural products store, or consulting a homeopath is recommended.

Oscillo has not yet been proven to prevent the flu, but it and other individually chosen homeopathic medicines may provide a safe and often effective treatment.

Other Homeopathic Remedies
Gelsemium is indicated when a person experiences fatigue and a pervasive, heavy, weak feeling, even leading to heavy, half-open eyelids. People with these symptoms tend to have little or no thirst, can experience chills up and down the spine, and suffer a headache in the back part of the head.

Bryonia may be beneficial for people who have marked body aches aggravated by any type of motion during their bout of flu. Generally, these people also have a headache in the front part of the head, which is also aggravated by motion. They also have dry or chapped lips, a dry cough, and a great thirst for cold water.

Eupatorium perfollatum may offer relief for people who experience muscle aches and bone pain. Another characteristic symptom of people who need this remedy is that they may have chills that occur in the morning.