I have been out for a few days last weekend. At 11am on Saturday morning, I had an unsual pain on my left rib which felt like someone poking me from the inside. As the pain got more intense, I decided to go to a doctor. With the current H1N1 virus infecting thousands of people worldwide, it’s good to find out why my fever had persisted for so many days and now, this piercing pain on the left rib. That was one occasion where I knew clearly that natural health remedies weren’t the cure for this pain – I needed immediate help!

After a brief examination, I was asked to do an xray and it turned out that I was having lung infection on the lower lobe of my lungs, which explained the pain. Without hesitation, I was asked to be admitted to the hospital. It wasn’t very easy to accept this news as I had never been hospitalized except the time when I gave birth to my son few years ago. The thought of admission was scary. I was even more afraid to be tested positive for H1N1.

After a couple of tests, I was confirmed negative for H1N1 but had a lung infection. The pain persisted for 24 hours but was soon lessened when I started the course of antibiotics. I had never had an intravenous drip of antiobiotics. I had never had so much drugs in a short span of time. I knew that wasn’t a time to get too fussy cos I just wanted to get well and go home! During the few days of pneumonia treatment, I never stopped my high dosage of Vitamin C, propolis and manuka honey in the hospital. I believed that I could use natural health remedies to fight the infection and heal faster.

I am thankful that after three days of treatment, I was allowed to go home as I continued my course of antibiotics. Looking back, what started as a persistent sore throat, an irritated cough and a fever had led to this lung infection. Pneumonia is iusually caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa and mycoplasma. Symptoms of pneumonia include fever, chills, cough, bloody sputum, muscle aches, fatigue, sore throat, enlarged lymph glands in the neck, pain in teh chest, rapid or difficult breathing.

What some people don’t know is that Pneumonia is led by an upper respiratory infection such as a cold, flu or measles. A positive diagnosis of the disease can be made with a chest x-ray.

Now that I am back home and recovering, I’m working hard to boost my immune system with natural health remedies and supplements including a high dosage of Vitamin C with bioflavoids, Vitamin A, Probiotics (replace the friendly bacteria) and Propolis. I was also told that grape seed extract can help to boost the immune system and protects lung tisue. Other important vitamins include Vitamin B complex which helps to produce antibiodies and formation of red blood cells, Vitamin E that protects lung tissues and enhances oxygen utilization. Drinking lots of fresh juices and a healthy diet of vegetables and whole grains without refined sugar, white flour products are helpful during the recovery period.

There are times that we need more than just natural health remedies. If you are feeling sick or experience any unusual pain, discomfort or a fever that lasts more than 3 days, be sure to seek medical attention and help right away.