The Efficacy of Kampo Medicine as a Prophylactic Way to Influenza Virus Type A Infection in an Epidemic Season of 2004/05 / 日本東洋医学雑誌

ABSTRACT

We retrospectively investigated the prevalence of influenza virus type A infection and the efficacy of Kampo medicine as a prophylactic for handicapped residents at our social welfare institution, during the 2004/5 flu season. Upon studying a nationwide surveillance report for said season, we supposed that it had been difficult to prevent mass infection at our welfare institution with the usual preventive methods, because type B had prevailed for most of the season, and because of the differing type A (AH 3) antigenicity which prevailed late-season, for which there were no type A vaccines.43 of 90 (47.8%) residents given flu vaccinations twice, and 25 of 110 (22.7%) of staff members given flu vaccinations once contracted type A influenza between March and May of 2005. Interestingly, residents who had been administered Hozai for either short-term health problems or chronic disease, demonstrated a low influenza prevalence, there being a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) between our “Hozai” and “non-Hozai” groups. Furthermore Juzentaihoto, known to enhance immune function, seemed beneficial because of its low associated morbidity rate, and only 2 of 8 residents administered it contracted flu. No difference was observed, however, between generalized “Kampo treatment” and “non-Kampo treatment” groups.We consider that certain Kampo medicines may be useful for the prevention of influenza infection, in institutionalized handicapped residents with short-term health problems. Immunological enhancements, and the influence of Hozai are discussed here.