How to Prevent the Super Bug

This is the time of year of food, chocolate, mistletoe, wine and cheer, it is also the time of year we all are susceptible to colds and flu. With all the media attention and scare about the super bug (Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus), colds and flu, and antiviral stock piling by the government for the dreaded Bird Flu, we often forget the best defense for a virus or bacteria is a strong, healthy, and highly tuned offense the amazing human immune system.

You and I can hardly listen to the TV or radio for even a few minutes to hear data on the risk of the super bug, avian (bird) flu and the theoretical and potential risk of this epidemic or pandemic. The 86 reported deaths by Bird Flu world wide is blasted to us in the media, but have we forgotten that the influenza virus alone will kill some 20, 000 Americans this year as it has for the last several decades? Have we forgotten that pneumonia is the fifth leading cause of death in America and the only infectious disease that still in the top 10 list as ways we will die? Have we forgotten that tuberculosis still kills millions of people each year worldwide?

I do not want to lessen the importance of the potential of the super bug and its resistance pattern or the Avian Flu may have if the antigen drift that we see almost yearly with mutations of virus has a major antigen shift, and a virulent (bad bug) strain forms and crosses from bird to man. This may have significant effects on the population and disease worldwide, but this is still theoretical and being vigilant to changes is important, however stockpiling billions of dollars of an “antiviral medicine ” that may not even work is not the real answer.

The real answer is in our biological history, the conflict of man against virus is not new and has raged on since the dawn of time, a battle that is ultimately not won by miracle drugs and science but by a fundamental principle that the strength of strong immune system can learn and remember the last bug it experienced and can make an effective antibody to the bug to allow the human species to survive.

Allow me to explain…. the cause of all infectious disease is a matter of being exposed to a bug, the load (amount) of the bug you get, the virulence of the bug (i.e. how bad is the bug) and the strength of your immune system. The key here is if you strengthen your immune system and avoid contact with bugs or at least use precautions, which will enable you to decrease your likelihood of getting an infection.

Avoidance measures are hand washing, hand washing, and hand washing. Also avoiding individuals who have a cough or cold, staying home if you are sick and using a tissue if you cough.

High-risk patients will benefit with a flu vaccine and this is good medicine.

Many natural products that contain herbal medicinal like gentian root, European elder, sorrel, and green teas also have anti-infective properties will keep us healthy.

However, the media and the government seem to want to scare us rather than empower us to better health, they often forget about teaching us to strengthen our immune system.

Maintaining a strong immune system is fundamental to preventing an infection. How do you do this?

It includes exercising daily (30-45 minutes) and getting adequate sleep (7-8 hours). Adapting to stressful situations by being calm and relaxed. Strengthening your immune system means eating healthy; taking a multiple vitamin daily, practice good oral hygiene like brushing your teeth, flossing and using a mouthwash. Clinical data shows that all these techniques will allow for a fine-tuned immune system, which will be ready for the next virus it experiences. You see our immune system is a learning system, it will learn to adapt to the bug. It is on call 24 hours a day every day and it has not failed the human race yet. If we keep the immune system strong, the most amazing antiviral mechanism known to mankind, it will keep us healthy.

Live long, be immune strong.

Until next time stay healthy.

Remember empowering you to better health starts with you.