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The drawback of the present study was that, in a larger group of influenza patients may be helpful
even though 15 health service centers and 1 hospital for building stronger evidence to support such thera-
joined in the study and the data were collected over peutic use.
an 18-month period, only 25 patients could be re-
Acknowledgements
cruited into the study. There were three main rea-
sons that explained why the number of patients par- The authors would like to express their gratitude
ticipated in this study was rather low. First, during to Dr. Paijit Warachit, Director-General of the Depart-
the study period, cases of avian influenza were re- ment of Medical Sciences; Dr. Pathom Sawanpanyalert,
ported in several provinces of Thailand, including Director of the National Institute of Health, Department
Nonthaburi province. Therefore, when patients sus- of Medical Sciences; and Pol. Capt. Dr. Rungrueng
pected of having influenza visited the study sites and Kijphati for kindly providing us with 400 Quick Vue
the test of their nasal secretions showed a positive influenza test kits for the study. We are also thankful to
result for influenza, there was the possibility that the the Chaophaya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital Foundation for
patients might have avian influenza. Therefore, the providing us with Andrographis paniculata capsules at
health officials were reluctant to recruit such patients a special price and the staff of the Herbal Quality As-
into the study for fear that, if they really had avian surance Center, Department of Medical Sciences for
influenza, they would not receive proper treatment their assistance on the quality analysis of the herbal
and it would be harmful to their health and well- medicine. We are also thankful to Mrs. Pranee
being. Therefore, we could not recruit patients into Chavalittumrong, Director of the Medicinal Plant Re-
the study for a considerable period of time. Second, search Institute, Department of Medical Sciences, for
before visiting the study sites, a number of influenza her suggestions and help on the statistical analysis of
patients had already taken some over-the-counter cold the data, and to Miss Kritiya Yamnium for her help in
medications, and thus could not be included in the the research project. We would also likes to express
study. Thirdly, some health service centers had no our thanks to the officers and staff of the Bang Kruai
case of influenza at all and as many as 80 suspected Hospital and the 15 health service centers under the
case were tested negative for influenza. This was Nonthaburi Provincial Public Health Office who con-
probably because Nonthaburi province previously did tributed to the study: the health service centers of Bang
not have many reported cases of influenza. There- Srimuang, Wat Sai Ma, Tasai, Talard Quan, Tansamrit,
fore, if there is going to be a further study in the Tumbon Bang Kruai, Tumbon Sao Thong Hin, Wihan
future, other provinces with history of high numer of Pracha, Tumbon Bang Lane, Wat Rajniyom, Klaung Pra
reported cases, such as southern provinces, Kanchan- Udom, Bang Pood, Wat Lad Pladook, Moo 3 Bang Kurat,
3,4
aburi, or Chantaburi should be selected as study and Bangrak Yai.
sites instead.
In conclusion, the present study shows an addi- References
tional beneficial effect of Andrographis paniculata (6.4 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cold versus Flu. [cited
g/day) when it is given with paracetamol (4 g/day): it 2007 Oct 27]. Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/
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reduces the severity of overall symptoms of influenza,
2. American Lung Association. Guidelines for the prevention and treatment
cough, and fatigue better than paracetamol alone and
of influenza and the common cold. [cited 2007 Oct 27]. Available
helps influenza patients to recover from various res- from: http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=23161.
piratory and constitutional symptoms sooner than they 3. Phatinawin L. Influenza: 2006 Annual report. [cited 2007 Nov 3].
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29_Influenza.doc.
mended use of this herbal medicine in influenza in
4. Weekly Epidemiological Surveillance Report. [cited 2007 Nov 3].
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Available from: http://203.157.15.4/wesr/file/F47534.pdf, http://
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