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  • Bird Flu; Prevention tips

Bird Flu; Prevention tips

Posted on April 20, 2013 by Dr. Susan Jamieson in Disease Prevention

According to China’s latest statistics, the number of confirmed H7N9 cases in the country had surged to 131, with 32 deaths, as of the Thursday 9th May.

 

 

VIRUS FACTS

              This is an Influenza A virus, for which we can test in this office, giving a result in 10 minutes! The strain causes typical flu symptoms, such as fatigue, fever, cough and muscle ache.

This bird flu is called H7N9 because of the specific antigens on the virus, and it’s a different type to the previous one we had  3 years ago we had (H5N1). There is confusion about mode of transmission, as whilst we had thought that it could only be contracted  directly from birds, for example poultry workers, now it seems different.

The World Health Organisation (WHO)

             To date, a total of 131 laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus including 32 deaths have been reported to WHO. Contacts of the confirmed cases are being closely monitored. 

             So far, there is no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission.

This is worrying, implying that the virus is at the very least contagious – ie can be infected by touching a contaminated work surface. This may explain the family cluster patterns seen. However, it seems to be only a matter of time before there is virus mutation – it changes structure –  and so could be transmitted by person-to-person contact  – coughing, sneezing , and of course using the same glass, telephone or elevator button.

                                                                                                          
Please click here to read more from the World Health Organisation (WHO)

Flu sneezing

THE GOOD NEWS:

              Frightening though this prospect is, the good news is that our immune systems fights this fight off viruses of all kinds,  day in day out. Not only viral pathogens, but bacteria, fungus, parasites and of course – cancer. Given half a chance, our immune system would have no difficulty protecting  itself from any kind of virus. As seen below, we actually import special supplements scientifically proven to boost your immunity. You don’t need to see a doctor for these.
      

SELF CARE

             Although our bodies are capable of protecting us against flu,  the trouble is we get tired,  run down, stressed and  jet lagged.
All these  things are scientifically proven to deplete our immune system! It’s not a myth any more, or old wives tale… it’s real science.

Self care means treating out bodies as human beings rather than machines!

            Well, books have been written on this – loving ourselves more; not working late to impress the boss and promote our careers;  saying ‘no’ to that social function you feel you ‘should’ go to but don’t want to because you’re rather tired.
Personal hygeine such as hand washing; not eating after touching coins, and sneezing ‘protocol’ has of course been proven to be of importance in this type of infection from past experience.

DRUGS:

            I am reluctant to prescribe the only medication for flu available – tamiflu – because of the adverse effects, which include death. It also doesn’t cure the flu, but shortens the illness very slightly.

SPECIALLY IMPORTED SUPPLEMENTS:

            Of course in the office I also stock special supplements proven to boost your  immune system and I’m happy for you to purchase over the counter at our practice. One is in a liquid form with drops to be added to a drink of your choice, twice daily, the other in capsule form. Both are natural, side effect free and have been scientifically proven to work.
Supplements

Nutrients:

– Vitamin A: Works as an antioxidant; found as retinol in fatty fish, fish oils and dairy products; as carotene in red fruits and vegetables such as yellow and red capsicum, carrots, yams, mangoes and papaya.
– Vitamin C: Involved in many functions of the immune system; found in citrus fruit, red and green peppers, pineapple, strawberries, cabbage, parsley, rosehips.
– Bioflavenoids: Reduce viral activity; high amounts in the pith of citrus fruits.
– Zinc: Essential for normal functioning of the immune system; good sources include nuts and seeds.
– Selenium: Powerful antioxidant; found in alfalfa, brazil nuts, cashews, eggs, fish and garlic.
– Colloidal silver: Anti-viral agent.

Herbs:

– Echinacea: The prime remedy to combat viral and bacterial infections.
– Thyme: Anti-microbial for respiratory tract.
– Astragalus: Enhances immune response and counteracts fatigue.
– Phytolacca: Supports lymphatic tissues.
– Golden Seal: Ideal for respiratory tract defense.
– Licorice: Boosts the immune response.

DIET AND SUPPLEMENT BOOSTING –

            Easy to do? We can optimize our vital immune system by ensuring  that the chemical building blocks are adequate : lots of healthy Chinese green veg and at least 1000 mg vit c daily. In 25 years of general Practice in Hong Kong I’ve seen many of these bird flus  come and go. I have evidence that these measures really work.
Salad-high-res-fotolia_
           While most people know about the immunity-boosting power of Vitamin C, many are unaware of the immunity-boosting powers of zinc and selenium. In fact zinc is often found in across-the-counter flu and cold remedies as it’s associated with building up the respiratory lining, making viral invasion less likely.

Natural sources of zinc and selenium:
  • Crab, lobster, tuna, cod
  • Beef shanks, pork shoulder, chicken leg
  • Baked beans, kidney beans, peas, chick peas
  • Yogurt, cheese, milk
  • Oatmeal
  • Cashews, almonds (zinc)
  • Oysters (zinc)
  • Brazil nuts (selenium)
  • Eggs (selenium)

NEW STUDIES FIND SUNLIGHT KILLS INFECTION

              People don’t die from the flu virus as much as the bacterial infections that enter the body due to reduced immunity, because the body is overwhelmed by viral infection.

Unfortunately,  many infections are becoming increasingly difficult to treat because of antibiotic resistance. The best known example of this is Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, also known as MRSA.

Scientists are looking for new options to fight infection, and blue light has emerged as a front runner in a recent study.

According to lead researcher Michael R. Hamblin of the Massachusetts General Hospital:

                         “Blue light is a potential non-toxic, non-antibiotic approach for treating skin and soft tissue infections, especially those caused by antibiotic resistant pathogens.”

In a previous study published over 90 percent of MRSA were successfully eradicated within mere minutes of exposure to blue light. In another study  it was found that photo-therapy also killed the common bacterium causing respiratory and skin infections-Staphylococcus Aureus.

Use Natural Sunlight:

In these studies, blue light was used, which is at a frequency of blue light spectrum,  450-495 nanometres (nm).

Natural sunlight will expose you to the full light spectrum from 415-660nm light, which encompasses the entire spectrum of colours: violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange and red. So this makes life a bit more fun – sunbathing is now good for your health, especially in view of the Vitamin D that will be produced.

VITAMIN D

Much research has been done over the past years showing that Vitamin D is essential in boosting our immune systems. It does this by acting on specific genes that in turn produce over 200 anti-microbial peptides that help fight all sorts of bacterial and viral infections.

People with low levels of Vitamin D have been found to be more prone to carrying the killer MRSA bacterium, and also numerous cancers, and multiple sclerosis.

A growing body of research clearly shows that vitamin D is absolutely critical for good health and disease prevention. Vitamin D affects your DNA through vitamin D receptors (VDRs), which bind to specific locations of the human genome. Scientists have identified nearly 3,000 genes that are influenced by vitamin D levels, and vitamin D receptors have been found throughout the human body.

FOODS CONTAINING VITAMIN D:

Below are some examples of some foods that contain a high level of Vitamin D:

  • Eggs
  • Salami
  • Shiitake mushrooms
  • Some fish (such as Mackeral, Herring, Tuna and sardines)

I advocate monitoring blood levels of the essential nutrient, and taking 1000iu if at all borderline low. Having said that, sunlight is the most effective way to boost blood levels!

Bird Flu, China, Immune system, Influenza A

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