What should parents do to prevent influenza in children? How does TCM prevent and treat it?

What should parents do to prevent influenza in children? How does TCM prevent and treat it?

Chen Zhenchong, deputy chief physician of traditional Chinese medicine, Dagang Town Community Health Service Center, Nansha District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province

Influenza (flu) is a very serious and dangerous acute infectious disease. Many people regard the common cold as a minor illness, which is a very wrong and dangerous understanding. Especially this year, there is a risk of overlapping with the spread of COVID-19, which makes it even more dangerous. Therefore, in the winter and spring when respiratory diseases are prevalent, individuals (especially the elderly and students) and public places such as nursing homes, schools, and kindergartens should strengthen the prevention of influenza.

1. TCM knowledge of influenza

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that influenza belongs to the category of seasonal colds. Based on traditional knowledge, the six meridians syndrome differentiation, Wei Qi Ying Xue syndrome differentiation and San Jiao syndrome differentiation system and treatment methods can be adopted, focusing on strengthening the body and eliminating evil and staged and phased joint application. For the prevention and treatment of pediatric influenza, traditional Chinese medicine recommends the use of corresponding Chinese medicine for treatment according to different syndromes. At the same time, traditional Chinese medicine also emphasizes the role of diet therapy, and recommends that parents give children more fresh vegetables and fruits during the period of pediatric influenza, and the diet should be light and easy to digest, and eat small meals frequently.

If you have flu symptoms, you should seek medical attention immediately. For children with flu, symptomatic treatment should be given according to the specific condition. At the same time, Chinese medicine with heat-clearing, detoxifying and antiviral effects can also be used as an auxiliary treatment. During the peak flu season, parents can give children some Chinese patent medicines with antiviral effects to prevent the occurrence of flu.

2. TCM Prevention Plan for Influenza

In order to give full play to the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine in preventing and treating acute respiratory infections in children, the following traditional Chinese medicine prevention and treatment plan for acute respiratory infections in children in autumn and winter is recommended:

1. Take Chinese medicine internally

Prescription: Astragalus 6g, Atractylodes 5g, Saposhnikovia 3g, Adenophora 6g, Taraxacum 4g, roasted malt 4g, Platycodon 3g, and raw licorice 3g.

Usage: For children under 3 years old, take half a dose daily; for children over 3 years old, take 1 dose daily.

Decoction method: drink instead of tea, or soak the medicine in cold water for 30 minutes, boil over high heat then simmer for 15 minutes, decoct twice, take 50-100ml of juice in total, take twice a day, morning and evening, for 5 consecutive days.

2. Chinese patent medicine: Yupingfeng Powder, Astragalus Granules, Tongkang Tablets, take according to the instructions.

For people susceptible to influenza, taking antiviral Chinese and Western medicines can prevent the occurrence of influenza, but they should not be abused at will to avoid drug resistance. It is best to take medication within 48 hours of onset, and even better within 36 hours. Early prevention and early treatment are of great significance in preventing the occurrence of severe influenza.

Antibiotics are ineffective in preventing and treating influenza, and are not only useless, but also easily lead to antibiotic resistance. In addition, sweating and exercise therapy should not be abused to prevent and treat influenza, so as to prevent complications such as myocarditis.

3. Appropriate Technology of Traditional Chinese Medicine

There are many methods of using appropriate Chinese medicine techniques to treat influenza in children, including Chinese medicine sachets, Chinese medicine foot baths, pediatric massage, scraping therapy, etc.

1. Chinese medicine sachets: Flu prevention sachets made of Perilla, Atractylodes, Angelica dahurica, Nepeta spicate, and Cardamom.

Prescription: Patchouli 6g, Atractylodes 6g, Acorus calamus 6g, Amomum villosum 6g, Angelica dahurica 6g, Artemisia annua 6g, Perilla frutescens 6g.

Usage: Decoction in water for indoor fumigation, grind into powder and light in incense burner or wear in sachets (can be worn on the body, placed in the car, or placed next to the pillow when sleeping).

Note: Do not use if you are allergic to the above ingredients or suffer from allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis, asthma, etc.

2. Chinese medicine foot bath: According to different physical conditions, choose different Chinese medicine prevention prescriptions, generally it can be used for 3-5 days.

3. Pediatric massage: A method of treating and preventing pediatric diseases by applying manipulation to specific acupuncture points on the child's body. It can enhance the function of the child's internal organs, improve the body's immunity, and prevent the occurrence of diseases.

Method: Press and rub Baihui and Zusanli, massage the abdomen, and pinch the spine.

Note: Related operations require guidance or training from TCM professionals.

4. Gua Sha therapy: Gua Sha therapy has a good preventive and therapeutic effect on children's influenza. For example, opening the Tianmen has the effect of relieving exterior symptoms; clearing Tianhe water has the effect of clearing away heat, etc., which is conducive to early recovery from influenza.

5. Patching therapy

Medicines: Ginseng, Asarum, Perilla, Radish Seed, White Mustard Seed, etc.

Usage: Grind into powder in a certain proportion, mix with vinegar or ginger juice, make into cake, and apply to the corresponding acupuncture points.

Applicable population: children with cold syndrome and deficiency syndrome (lung deficiency, spleen deficiency, kidney deficiency), acupoints can be selected as needed (dazhui, feishu, diaphragmshu, spleenshu, kidneyshu, etc.).

Note: It is contraindicated for use in patients under 1 year old, those who are allergic to the drug ingredients or those with skin ulcers.

Please use the above under the guidance of a physician.

People who are prone to catching colds can take several doses of Chinese medicine that has the effect of invigorating qi and supporting yang in late autumn and early winter to enhance immunity. According to the author's experience, Buzhong Yiqi Decoction with perilla leaves and saposhnikovia divaricata can be used as the basic prescription. For patients with spleen yang deficiency, add dried ginger, for patients with kidney yang deficiency, add aconite, and for patients with disharmony between Ying and Wei, add cinnamon twig and white peony root, and the effect is satisfactory.

IV. Daily life and diet to prevent influenza

1. Reasonable diet: Ensure that children have a balanced diet, eat more fruits and vegetables, avoid eating spicy, irritating, and greasy foods, and drink plenty of water.

2. Maintain good living habits: Children should ensure adequate sleep and avoid staying up late to enhance the body's immunity.

3. Maintain hygiene: wash your hands frequently, keep the child’s living environment clean, and avoid the spread of viruses.

4. Vaccination: Vaccination against influenza is an effective way to prevent influenza. Parents can take their children to get vaccinated.

5. Avoid contact with sources of infection: During the peak influenza season, parents should try to avoid taking children to crowded places, such as playgrounds, supermarkets, etc.

In short, traditional Chinese medicine can not only relieve symptoms but also improve the patient's disease resistance, but it should be used under the guidance of a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner.

The above methods should be used under the guidance of a doctor and should not be used on your own. At the same time, attention should also be paid to the prevention of influenza in children, such as maintaining good personal hygiene habits and avoiding contact with influenza viruses.

Author: Chen Zhenchong, deputy chief physician of traditional Chinese medicine

Unit: Dagang Town Community Health Service Center, Nansha District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province