JEDDAH: Ever since the UN announced that swine flu was an epidemic, Saudis have been panicking over a potential outbreak of the disease here due to the Kingdom being a popular pilgrim destination.
It is this fear that is fueling the circulation of a series of e-mails advertising certain items that are claimed to be more effective than the internationally recommended Tamiflu.
One recent e-mail suggested the daily use of sodium bicarbonate, advising that a teaspoon of it should be mixed with a glass of water “to increase the alkali level in the blood” to kill viruses.
Dr. Abdul Hafiz Khoja, a social medicine consultant whose name was mentioned in the e-mail, said sodium bicarbonate could not be used by everyone, adding that changing the percentage of acid in the blood by increasing alkali is not something that can be done by the public, especially people who suffer from heart and kidney diseases.
It is not just sodium bicarbonate that Saudis are buying. Many people are also purchasing large quantities of ginger and honey to protect themselves from swine flu. Khoja said such items have been used for generations to treat flu. He, however, advised against using them instead of Tamiflu. “It has not been proved scientifically that these ingredients are affective and can treat swine flu,” he added.
Khoja also stressed that it would not be proper to consider anise more useful than Tamiflu because it contains Shikimic acid, which is also in Tamiflu. A Chinese medical magazine stated that drinking a warm glass of anise in the morning would provide effective protection against swine flu.
Khoja advised the public not to take for granted what is being circulated in e-mails saying they are not trusted sources of information. He also stressed that people should be careful when outdoors, adding that people showing flu symptoms should remain at home and consult their doctors.
People, nevertheless, continue to use home remedies to fight off flu. “A mix of ginger and honey with lemon balm all heated up is the only medicine for flu. Anise seeds boiled in water tend to give good results. I don’t think going to the doctor for flu is necessary,” said Um Saleh.
“I don’t have medical insurance nor can I afford paying for a flu jab. These homemade treatments are much cheaper than going to the hospital. I hate syringes ... I know a good herbalist here in Jeddah who gives me remedies for almost everything and it always works,” she added. “I don’t take medicine for flu. We’ve in the past been told of bird flu and foot and mouth diseases. There are many diseases out there it seems,” she said.
Muneer, a pharmacist in Jeddah, said, “Most flu patients are afraid of syringes so they won’t take a flu jab. Some come here to buy Tamiflu and we are all out. Many people come to me with flu like symptoms and ask me for herbal remedies. I can’t recommend anything that will give guaranteed results. However, ginger with lemon juice seems to work, and so does elderberries and licorice.”
Dr. Ahmad Badeiesh, a general practitioner in Jeddah, said swine flu needs more attention. “The use of ginger and other common treatments for cold should be restricted for people who show common flu-like symptoms, such as high fever, blocked noses, chills and headaches,” he said.
“People who experience chills and headaches that last longer than usual should visit doctors immediately ... doctors can run tests and determine whether the person has swine flu, which needs more care,” he added.
— With input from Sultan Al-Tamimi
