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Editorial
Treatment of influenza: Chinese medicine vs. western medicine
Department of Pneumology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China
J Thorac Dis 2012;4:10-11. DOI: 10.3978/j.issn.2072-1439.2011.11.04
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 In contrast, western medicine came to China around 1919, when western medical school was established in the form of the Johns Hopkins Medical School, and built in Chinese Palaces. Over the years, western medicine has changed from Hippocrates to Hi-tech, which applies modern high technology and looks for objective findings in human organ/system or cell/molecule. The healing process also becomes more invasive.
In the context of co-existence of both Chinese traditional medicine and western medicine in China, it is not surprising the Chinese Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Influenza (3) follow the WHO guidelines in diagnosing human influenza infection (4). However, in treatment of influenza the Chinese guidelines recommend Chinese traditional medicine in addition to WHO recommended western medicine. Detailed information is provided on how to treat influenza using herb medicine. Two heart is, of course, better than one heart from patient perspective.
The question is when we apply Chinese traditional medicine, and when we resume western medicine. Though there is limited evidence, patient choice may provide clues in such aspect. Considering the fact that most people with influenza have self-limiting uncomplicated illness, those with mild illness would prefer to go to Chinese traditional medicine for symptomatic benefit, specifically fever. For patients with complicated illness, they would chose western medicine, which appears more comprehensive and effective than herb medicine.
Does that mean herbal medicine only serve as an alternative therapy to antipyretics in mildly ill people? In a recent randomized trial compared maxingshigan–yinqiaosan with oseltamivir alone, oseltamivir plus maxingshigan–yinqiaosan, and no treatment in mild and uncomplicated patients with confirmed H1N1 influenza, fever resolved sooner in all three therapeutic groups than in the group that received no treatment (5). The study clearly shows that maxingshigan–yinqiaosan speeds fever resolution similarly to oseltamavir.
However, it remains unclear whether the observed effect on
fever is due to antipyretic or antiviral effects. Another frequently
raised question is the effective ingredient in a compound of
herbal medicine, which has to be determined. From future
perspectives, well-designed clinical trials are needed to improve
our understanding of mechanisms of herbal medicine and its
effective ingredient. Though challenging, it appears to be an
opportunity for Chinese traditional medicine to transform from
experience-based medicine (art) to evidence-based medicine
(science).
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References
Cite this article as: Han JN. Treatment of influenza: Chinese medicine
vs. western medicine. J Thorac Dis 2012;4(1):10-11. doi: 10.3978/
j.issn.2072-1439.2011.11.04
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