CMAC223: Comparative Analysis of Influenza Treatment Approaches

This report, prepared for the CMAC223 Chinese Clinical Medicine 2 course, provides a comprehensive overview of influenza, examining its background, symptoms, and various treatment approaches. The introduction defines influenza as a common seasonal disease caused by the influenza virus, detailing its symptoms and conventional medical treatments. The literature review explores both Western and Chinese medicine perspectives, discussing antiviral medications, vaccinations, and traditional Chinese medicine practices. The analysis and supporting arguments section delves into the efficacy of different treatments, including the Quadrivalent Influenza vaccine and antiviral drugs, while also considering the limitations and controversies surrounding these approaches. The report concludes by summarizing the key findings and emphasizing the impact of influenza on healthcare systems. The report highlights the importance of understanding both Western and Chinese medicine practices in addressing this widespread illness.

CMAC223-CHINESE
CLINICAL MEDICINE 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Background of the condition..................................................................................................1
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................2
Western medicine discussion.................................................................................................2
Chinese medicine discussion..................................................................................................3
ANALYSIS AND SUPPORTING ARGUMENTS........................................................................5
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
Influenza is the infectious disease which is also known as “The Flu”. It is caused by
influenza virus. It is the common seasonal disease that has symptoms such as high fever, runny
nose, muscle pain, headache, feeling tired, etc(Influenza (flu), 2017). Medical professionals give
medicines to the patients that directly target to the influenza virus and individuals get relief from
the disease within three or four days. The best way to overcome from this condition is drink
plenty of liquid and take proper rest.
Background of the condition
As per the views of Chen and et.al., (2014) Influenza is infection in which virus attacks
on respiratory system of individuals. It is the seasonal illness which is very common disease but
sometimes, it creates complications for the person. Initially, it looks like the simple cold issue.
Main difference between cold and Influenza is that cold develops slowly but as Influenza is the
viral infection, it tends to come suddenly. In this condition, individuals may suffer from fever
over 100.4 F. Pohlmann and et.al, (2017) stated that headache is the most common issue or the
symptom that occur in condition of Influenza. Flu travels through air and whenever individuals
come in touch with this flu, it causes Influenza. If person is coming in touch with individual who
is suffering from Influenza or touch objects that are touched by the infected patient then also, it
causes this disease in others.
According to Fry and et.al, (2014) whenever child gets born then medical professionals
give them some vaccines that prevent people from the common viruses. Human body is able to
fight with these viruses initially because of these vaccinations but if surroundings are changing
rapidly then it increases the chances of coming in touch with the Influenza virus. Nokso-
Koivisto, Marom and Chonmaitree, (2015) stated that it is a common disease but number of
cases of Influenza patients are increasing with the rapid speed. In the year 2017, approx. 55%
more cases were diagnosed as compared to previous year. It is the illness that impacts on the
daily life of individual and person fails to live a healthy life. It is the medical condition in which
individuals suffer from high fever and headache that creates difficulty for them to complete their
daily work effectively. As per the views of Jha and et.al., (2016) mostly people those who are
suffering from this issue can get recovered within 1 or 2 weeks but sometimes, their condition
may get critical and it may turn into pneumonia. Statistical report shows that average 3500
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persons die with this disease every year in the country and approx. 12000 patients get admitted in
the hospitals every year.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Western medicine discussion
Vogelmeier and et.al., (2017) stated that Influenza is the seasonal viral infection that
spreads easily from one to another. It can affect any age group of people and causes numerous
issues in their body. Climate changes and seasonal epidemics are the most common causes of
occurring Influenza in the human beings. It is the common health problem in Australia because
of seasonal variations. Population is at high risk and some people die due to complexity of this
illness. Newby, (2015) stated that annual vaccination and personal hygiene are the most common
precautionary methods that can support the person in preventing themselves from Influenza
infection. These are the only primary prevention methods but still of too much precaution it may
infect the person any time. The time period of this illness is usually 2-3 days but sometimes, it
can be more than a week. At the initial phase of infection, individual faces headache and sore
throat issues. After sometime, individuals suffer from high fever. Influenza virus attacks on
respiratory system of person and it impacts on immune system of individual and thus, individuals
suffer from this illness. People who are healthy and take care properly, in this condition, they get
recovered soon within 2-3 days but old age persons and children or unhealthy young people may
suffer from this illness for 2-3 weeks (Influenza (flu), 2017).
Rewar, Mirdha and Rewar, (2015) declare that there are many strains of this viral
infection such as A (H3N2), A (H1N1) and B. There are two main dominant modes through
which Influenza transmitted to another. These are droplet and contact transmission. Droplet is
the condition when fine or healthy human beings come in touch with the droplets that are present
into air or around them. If these droplets come in touch with noise, mouth and lungs then it
increases the possibility to get infected by this virus. Direct contact is another medium of
spreading this Influenza virus. It can be transmitted through direct contact with the infected
person or indirectly through intermediate. This Influenza virus can stay or survive in the human
body from few days to weeks that depends upon the immune system, health and surroundings of
individuals. Influenza virus are very small.
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As per the views of Vogelmeier and et.al., (2017) after vaccination, individual's body
becomes able to fight against these flu strains. But there are various factors that increase the risk
of human beings of coming in contact with this infectious disease. These elements are like age,
working or living conditions, immune system, chronic illness, pregnancy and obesity. All these
factors enhance the risk of person and if individuals come in touch with Influenza virus directly
or indirectly then it causes this illness in the individual (Severe influenza treatment guideline,
2014). Sometimes, people who are at high risk may suffer from pneumonia, bronchitis, heart
problems and ear infections due to complications of Influenza virus. Medical professionals
generally provide antiviral medications to the patients and after taking these medicines,
individuals can get recovered within 48 hours.
Chinese medicine discussion
Chen and et.al., (2014) declared that Chinese medicine fundamentals aspects explain that
flu take place from external pathogen, virus enter into the human body and infect the person.
Chinese medicine prospective regarding Influenza is that, it is the serious illness and cannot be
diagnosed examining 6 stages. It initially infects respiratory system, infection occurs due to
come in contact of invasions of exterior wind. Chinese medicine explain that these are the
infectious diseases and caused by wind- heat. Six stages to diagnoses of Influenza are Tai Yang,
Yang Ming, Shao Yang, Tai Yin, Shao Yin, Jue Yin.
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Illustration 1: Six Stages
(Source: The treatment of influenza in Chinese medicine, 2016)
Vogelmeier and et.al., (2017) stated that cardinal symptoms show that person is infected
with Influenza virus. Apart from cardinal symptoms there are many other signs that help in
diagnoses of the disease such as runny nose, high fever, itchy, throat etc. These all symptoms
occur because of obstruction in blood flow, breathing and lung functioning. Medical professional
diagnose this illness by touching the patients because in the infectious condition person's body
emits heat and when the doctor touch the patients then they feel hot to touch. It does not mean
that person is having fever (Treatment of influenza, 2017).
As per the view of Pohlmann and et.al, (2017) medical professional realise the level of
condition in the Influenza infection and accordingly they prescribe medicines to the patients.
Generally doctors suggest Expel Wind heat medicines that help in resolving toxic heat in the
human body and fever of the person can get finished. Chinese medical practices treat Influenza
from different methods as compare to cold medical treatment. Chinese medical practices plays
proactive role in resolution of the diseases (The treatment of influenza in Chinese medicine,
2016). Fry and et.al, (2014) stated that major sign and symptoms of Influenza disease are mild
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headache, mild chills, scratchy throat and runny nose. That creates difficulty for the suffered
person to perform their daily work effectively.
In such condition body of the person feel so tired and individual feel hot body. Self-
treatment is the best way of eliminating this problem from the human body. Chinese medicine
practices suggest that Miso soup is the best way to resolving this issue. This soup contains lots of
scallions that helps in finishing the virus from the body completely. Apart from this ginger tea is
another best way of self-treatment for Influenza illness. Chinese herbal medicines are promising
in the treatment of Influenza. These medicines do not have any side effects thus are able to
improve health condition of individual by this way patients can get recovered soon from their
bad health condition.
ANALYSIS AND SUPPORTING ARGUMENTS
Vogelmeier and et.al., (2017) suggested that Quadrivalent Influenza vaccines (QIV) help
in improving condition of the persons those who are infected from Influenza B strains. The main
aim of enforcing this vaccine in the human body is that to protect than from seasonal infections
and improve their health conditions. Influenza B is considered as common virus that can take
place in children, adults and old people easily (Severe influenza treatment guideline, 2014).
Thus, use of this vaccination can be considered as effective in preventing people from suffering
from Influenza virus. Many studies have proved that QIV is the cost effective vaccination that
prevent people from coming in touch in Influenza virus.
As per the view of Newby, (2015) many people are not satisfied with the QIV
vaccination because it does not give accurate results and after vaccination as well many adults
and children come in contact with this virus and get affected. Meta analyses data from 2004 to
2015 reflects that inactivated Influenza vaccine do not give significant efficacy results.
Pohlmann and et.al, (2017) declared that antiviral drugs are the appropriate medical care and
support in improving condition of the Influenza patients. These antiviral drugs are able to fight
against all kind of viruses and support in eliminating flue illness. It helps in preventing the
person from serious flue complication such as pneumonia. The centres for disease control and
prevention has suggested that antiviral drugs are the best clinical care treatment for swine
Influenza. That enable the person to feel relief and better.
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Rewar, Mirdha and Rewar, (2015) stated that there have been many studies done in
which various treatment for Influenza have been compared. This study has shown that
oseltamivir single treatment is more effective as compare to zanamivir and oseltamivir
treatments. Study reflects that giving antiviral drugs are not enough for the Influenza patients.
Use of combined oseltamivir and amantadine therapy are helpful in improving condition of
patients with seasonal Influenza virus (Treatment of influenza, 2017). Recent reports reflect that
triple therapy or combination of oseltamivir, amantadine and ribavirn are most effective way to
prevent people from this virus. Statistical records of 2009 show that patients with Influenza those
who were admitted in the hospitals did not get reliefs by just antiviral drugs but triple therapy
have worked on them and their condition get recovered within few days. Zanamivir and
oseltamivir therapies have been considered as 802% effective prophylactically in order to
prevent the persons from coming in contact with Influenza in household. Oseltamivir helps in
improving the condition of the person for longer duration.
CONCLUSION
It can be concluded from the above report that Influenza is a common health issue but it
impacts on life expectancy of individuals to a great extent. In such illness, cost effective therapy
with no side effects can be considered as the most impressive treatment procedure. Every year,
approx. 12000 patients with Influenza get hospitalized and there are 310000 general practitioners
those who work to treat these patients. It has also been assessed that estimated cost of health care
department of Australia for this event is approx. $115 million annually. This issue is increasing
in Australia and every year, number of Influenza patients are increasing that place a financial
burden on the health care system of Australia and they have to spend more amount to improve
this condition and decrease number of Influenza patients. From the above study, it can be
articulated that Oseltamivir is considered as a better medication that supports in eliminating the
series condition of Influenza patients. But drinking plenty of liquid and taking proper rest are the
best ways through which individuals can get recovered from this illness soon.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Chen, H. & et.al., (2014). Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of a fatal case of avian
influenza A H10N8 virus infection: a descriptive study. The Lancet. 383(9918). 714-721.
Fry, A. M. & et.al., (2014). Efficacy of oseltamivir treatment started within 5 days of symptom
onset to reduce influenza illness duration and virus shedding in an urban setting in
Bangladesh: a randomised placebo-controlled trial. The Lancet infectious diseases. 14(2).
109-118.
Jha, D. A. & et.al., (2016).Respiratory syncytial virus. European Respiratory Society.
Newby, D. (2015). Community Pharmacy ANZ-eBook: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment.
Elsevier Health Sciences.
Nokso-Koivisto, J., Marom, T., & Chonmaitree, T. (2015). Importance of viruses in acute otitis
media. Current opinion in pediatrics. 27(1). 110.
Pohlmann, A. & et.al., (2017). Outbreaks among wild birds and domestic poultry caused by
reassorted influenza A (H5N8) clade 2.3. 4.4 viruses, Germany, 2016. Emerging
infectious diseases. 23(4). 633.
Rewar, S., Mirdha, D., & Rewar, P. (2015). Treatment and prevention of pandemic H1N1
influenza. Annals of global health. 81(5). 645-653.
Vogelmeier, C. F. & et.al., (2017). Global strategy for the diagnosis, management and prevention
of chronic obstructive lung disease 2017 report. Respirology. 22(3). 575-601.
Online
Influenza (flu). 2017. [Online]. Available through <https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-
conditions/flu/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351725>
Severe influenza treatment guideline. 2014. [Online]. Available through
<https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3932389/>
The treatment of influenza in Chinese medicine. 2016. [Online]. Available through
<http://maciociaonline.blogspot.in/2016/12/the-treatment-of-influenza-with-
chinese.html>
Treatment of influenza. 2017. [PDF]. Available through
<http://www.isg.org.au/assets/assets/Discussion-Paper-low-res.pdf>
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