Faith in the swine flu magic bullet
Colorado Springs — Seeking Paul Ehrlich’s “magic bullet,” a wonder drug that can be aimed at those cells in black hats, and with a loud bang, everything is solved, the virus is dead, and we are saved. Is the h1n1 swine flu vaccine the proverbial magic bullet that science promised? That our friendly government will deliver, very, very soon?
The cycle of media headlines for the past several months has followed two patterns, the majority of which declare that there is absolutely no reason to panic, the swine flu is mild, and absolutely everyone should receive an h1n1 swine flu vaccine; the minority headlines declare, with less vehemence, that there is absolutely no reason to panic, the swine flu is mild, and due to the mildness of the virus you might not wish to receive an h1n1 swine flu vaccine.
Where is the third version of the story, that the h1n1 swine flu may not be as mild as advertised. Including the reality that there is a very structured alternative to the magic bullet, by fighting the influenza naturally, at every level of the influenza battlefield. Where are these headlines?
The swine flu, mild.
People tend to forget, and this includes the celebrated “experts,” that the swine flu in off-season spreads and proliferates more rapidly and thoroughly than the seasonal flu does within the confines of its own flu season. In other words, the seasonal flu is a wimp in comparison to this super flu, the swine flu.
Relentlessly, the public is informed, “the vaccine is safe,” that the “vaccine is proven science,” that the “vaccine works,” that it is the “best treatment.” Get your flu shot. Get the vaccine. Save yourself with the h1n1 swine flu vaccine.
As the repetition cycles, the headlines and articles regurgitating that swine flu is mild, almost mannerly in comparison to the seasonal flu, a dulling sense of familiarity spreads through the limbs. Everyone is saying it. Possibly, it is true.
The experts.
Dr. Billy Bob says it is good science, and we love him in that tummy-ache commercial. That beautiful Dr. Phyllis with all the legs, she says the vaccine is completely safe, based on the wonderful science of the egg-based vaccines of the past 50-plus years.
The scammers.
We are warned about the scams. Those charlatans peddling flu cures. Do not be fooled, and take your vaccine like a good child. Folklore? Accumulated traditional wisdom? No, and no.
Classical Conditioning.
The public is conditioned, classically, to accept the magic bullet that cures h1n1 swine flu. The word “placebo” is a Latin word that means “I shall please.” It has become a maxim, that if the mind accepts a thing as medicine, even if it is only a sugar pill, the placebo effect may produce some positive healing in the patient.
Belief is all important. Faith. In this case, the public must have faith in the h1n1 swine flu vaccine.
If the patient loses faith in the placebo? All power is gone from the sugar pill. Shhhh. Keep the secret.
But do not lose hope, there are real things for which faith is valid, not just force-fed placebos. There are better things than sugar pills.
The Secret.
No magic bullet.
There is no pill that will blast the flu virus. A shot will not "proof" anyone against the flu. Facts prove that as far as science goes, we know little more about the influenza virus, any of them, or even the basic human immune system. But do not lose hope, as there are proactive and very real measures you can take for both preventing the flu, and dealing with influenza once you are infected.
Preventing the flu.
If you do not have the flu, and are worried about your family and do not wish to receive the flu vaccine, there are still some very good, proven measures on how to avoid influenza while boosting your immune system:
1. Improve your diet. Eat more leafy greens, especially lettuce, broccoli, spinach, as well as an intake of onions and garlic, adding the spices ginger and oregano (both proven respiratory aids), as well as treating yourself and your family to sauerkraut once or more a week. Stay hydrated with fresh water while avoiding sugary sodas or especially soft drinks with any form of artificial sweetener. Add a daily intake of fruits, a whole variety and plethora of fruits to your diet, including organic apples, bananas, peaches, pears, dates and prunes and 100% natural fruit juices.
3. Probiotics. Add soy yogurt to your diet, and/or add probiotics (acidophilus, the healthy bacteria that aids in both digestion and immune system support).
4. Nasal flush. Employ a nasal flush, either the NeilMed Nasal Irrigation bottle, or a neti pot, on a weekly basis, or more often if you have been exposed to any rhino viruses or illness. Especially for allergy sufferers, or those prone to catching colds.
5. Spirituality. Spirituality is real and a healthy spiritual life is a key ingredient in remaining healthy, especially during a pandemic. Take more time to alleviate stress. Take time to focus on the Creator, and pray. You do not have to do this loudly, there is no show in this. Take some quiet some, out of sight of anyone, and pray to God. Ask for His protection, guidance, and healing. Ask Him to calm you. Ask Him to boost your real faith, in real things, in Him. Devote a full day to God, one day out of the week, and calm your mind and worries, and let it all be about Him and you, and your spiritual health. It is amazing how much better you can and will feel.
Fighting the flu.
Obviously, no one wants to catch the flu. But if you do come down with a bad case of influenza, it is best to take action, immediately. Do not waste your time with taking over-the-counter flu aids, as all of these things merely treat the symptoms of the virus, and do nothing about standing against the viral attack. There are things you can do. There are natural ways of fighting the flu. The aim is to make your body as unfavorable a battleground for the flu as possible. At the first sign of flu:
1. Nasal flush. Flush your nasal passages with salt water. The NeilMed nasal irrigation system is wonderful, and early versions of neti pots have been around thousands of years. The sinuses and nasal passages are the favorite hang-out of the flu virus.
2. Salt water gargle. Gargle a full glass of water with sea salt. Make it difficult for the flu to remain perched in your throat.
3. Ginger/Oregano. Take two or more capsules of both ginger and oregano.
4. Sauerkraut with onions. Force yourself to eat a plate of sauerkraut with onions, ginger, garlic and oregano.
5. Drink green tea. Green tea is a proven flu fighter. Stay hydrated.
6. Humidity. Keep a hot-steam vaporizer running.
7. REST. Rest is the single most important tool. Stay in bed, do not rush your convalescence. And while you rest, turn your thoughts to God, and pray to Him. Know that there is Someone who cares about your health and welfare, as it is promised:
Plagues that roam the dark, epidemics that strike at noon. They will not come near you, even though a thousand may fall dead beside you or ten thousand at your right side. You only have to look with your eyes to see the punishment of wicked people. You, O Lord, are my refuge! You have made the Most High your home. No harm will come to you. No sickness will come near your house.
first published on examiner.com - November 12, 2009
