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Thursday, September 28, 2006
An Interesting Perspective On The Deadly Flu Outbreak Of The Early 20th Century And Avian Flu Concerns Of Today... "The “Spanish” flu that killed up to 50 million people in 1918-19 owed its peculiarly devastating symptoms to a huge overreaction by the body’s own defences, research suggests. The first attempt to infect animals with a reconstructed version of the 1918 virus has shown that it provokes an immune system response that probably explains its deadly effects." Those familiar with history will remember one of the odd, and terrifying for the era, qualities of this particular strain of flu. Instead of the traditional pattern of killing the very young and very old, this flu caused death in the part of the population that usually was best able to survive such illness -- "adults aged 18-34," causing "lung inflammation and haemorrhaging." When looked at, then, through that perspective, an overreacting immune system, it makes sense that this flu did not operate in the traditional pattern, with those with weaker immune systems succumbing in greater numbers than those of the usually stronger age group. Medical News Today reports: "Team leader, Dr John Kash, University of Washington, said "What we think is happening is that the host's inflammatory response is being highly activated by the virus, and that response is making the virus much more damaging to the host. The host's immune system may be overreacting and killing off too many cells, and that may be a key contributor to what makes this virus more pathogenic." The team would like to find out exactly why the immune system responds so aggressively, but fails to destroy the infection. Finding this out might help us find a way of fighting the present H5N1 avian flu virus strain." The theory for managing such flu situations, then, is to use an anti-viral in combination with an anti-inflammatory. For me, my strategy in dealing with flu season is not the flu shot, but is, instead, to strengthen the immune system from the inside out. This is done nutritionally, using fresh fruits and vegetables, a full 9 to 11 servings per day, and that does not include juice and does include a fresh citrus fruit with every meal, as well as the deepest of green and yellow-orange vegetables with the afternoon and evening meals. We also actively prevent picking up viruses, using hand washing and our little happy chant on the way into the grocery store or any other public place -- "We do not touch our eyes, nose or mouth until we get home and wash hands." My little ones are fully aware of how such illnesses are picked up and although, as all children do, sometimes they forget the importance of not touching mucus membranes in public, germy, places, most of the time they do remember. In the event of the occasional illness, using a natural anti-inflammatory along with a natural anti-viral and anti-biotic, such as fresh garlic or fresh ginger, certainly can't hurt. In an era where quality medical care is harder to come by for many because of its prohibitive expense, learning the basic skills to care for oneself, preventing unnecessary doctor trips and saving that money for when the doctor is really needed, is important. Detailed knowledge and a working understanding of nutrition, medicinal herbs and natural healing methods can be a huge help. Common sense and quality research is important, however, as it is all too easy to be taken in by fads and false information. Look for clinical studies, discuss with professionals and learn how to think. Blogger News Network is advertiser-supported, and your visits to our advertisers help BNN to meet its expenses. Help keep us afloat! posted by Sharon Secor at 12:32 PM |
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