COLDS AND FLUS

The common cold often defies effective treatment and costs millions of dollars a year in lost productivity.  Symptoms vary from organism to organism and can range from mild to deadly.  Many thousand of people die yearly from the flu, but they are usually of compromised health prior to infection. 

Interestingly, even though the Spanish Flu epidemic of circa 1920 killed 20 million people in this country, it obviously did not affect everyone.  These kinds of observations have led many health care professionals to focus upon personal health rather than the infecting agent.  For the purposes of this discussion, our emphasis will be placed upon enhancement and augmentation of personal health as opposed to attempts to avoid contact or provide artificial intervention, such as with vaccinations.

There are four essential ingredients to any successful infective process.  This is true for colds, flus, food poisoning, etc.  First, one must have a virulent pathogen.  In other words, the “bug” must be of a type and strain that can cause symptoms of infection.  As a side note, most viruses and bacteria have very characteristic courses of symptomatology in the human body.  Bacteriologists tell us that there is nothing such as a “24-hour flu.”  These kinds of processes are typically from a form of food poisoning which can range from mild symptoms of short duration to episodes with deadly consequences.

The second essential ingredient is sufficient load.  In other words, there must be enough sheer numbers of the infecting agent to cause harm.  The human body is constantly bombarded by a multitude of viruses and organisms.  Scientists claim that there are six to eight bacteria in everyone’s throat at any given time that are capable of killing them.  The numbers (load) and personal immunity prevent us from exhibiting signs and symptoms of the infection.  Evidence in immunological research suggests that without any load, our immune systems do not function as well.  The immune system is stimulated by foreign debris, bacteria and viruses.  Therefore, it is possible to be too clean.

The third essential ingredient for an infective process to be successful is that there must be a method of entry.  People have an intact layer of skin that is generally impenetrable by such organisms.  The exceptions are obviously things like mosquito-borne diseases and puncture wounds. 

The first and foremost system other than the skin in infection prevention is the digestive system.  The strong stomach acid digests bacteria and foreign agents, preventing them from rendering harm to the body.  Most stomach problems are thought to be a lack of appropriate stomach acid which allows bacteria to grow.  Another important factor in the digestive system is the sufficient breakdown of proteins.  Small proteins such as albumins and globulins are essential for the lymphatic system to function properly which is key to spleen and overall immunological function.  Another important barrier to invasion are the mucous membranes.  Mucous membranes involve the entire gastrointestinal tract, mouth, nose, sinuses, etc.  All mucous membranes have specific cells that produce and move mucous.  Mucous traps foreign objects for removal from the system in order to rid them from the body.  Therefore, the increased mucous production and congestion is actually the body’s immune system at work. 

During the winter in areas with cooler temperatures, the humidity tends to become lower.  This in turn can dry out mucous membranes and create tiny cracks that afford opportunistic bacteria entry to the blood system.  This drying of membranes is a key factor as to why colds and flus are more prevalent in the winter.

The fourth factor required for infection to occur is compromise in the immune mechanisms of the individual.  It is extremely important to realize that, while the immune system is the focus of most attention with respect to colds and flus, it is not necessarily the most important system.  The immune system is thoroughly dependent upon all of the other systems for its proper functioning.  Therefore, when we look at the body as a whole, the weakest system determines the maximum capacity of all other systems.  The digestive system, hormone system, liver, pancreas, small intestines, colon, kidneys, adrenal glands. lungs, heart, minds and emotions all play a part in optimal immune functioning.  Optimum health as a whole results in optimum immunity.

This fourth essential factor in the infection process will be the target of our prevention and treatments. 

These recommendations are for general immune support.  For persistent immune compromise or frequent infections, an inventory of the body as a whole may be required.

Immuplex (Immune builder for prevention and long-term use)

4-6 per day, with meals

Oscillococcinum - One dose twice weekly throughout the flu season

Adequate rest, proper diet, moderate exercise and increased water intake

While there is no recognized cure for flu or the common cold, the following remedies have often proved very useful.  If initiated immediately at the onset of symptoms, the full course of the disease may be averted.  In later stages, symptoms may be lessened and the overall disease process shortened.  Continue all measures for at least one full week after all symptoms have been alleviated in order to avoid a relapse.

Congaplex (Immune stimulant for active infection process)

1-2 capsules every 15 minutes for the first 2-4 hours; then

1-2 capsules every hour for the duration of active symptoms; then

6-12 capsules per day for at least one week following any residual symptoms

Oscillococcinum - One dose every 2-4 hours

Increase WATER INTAKE, rest and decrease stress as much as possible

Hot soaks to produce sweating:  daily or more in severe case.  Enhance effect by adding a pot of ginger tea to the bath water (2-3 tablespoons of dried ginger to a pot of water – brew like tea)

Add Spleen PMG in severe cases - 6-12 tablets per day between meals.

As always, first consult with an appropriate health-care specialist before beginning any Standard Process or other nutritional program.