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News reports tell of a new flu on the horizon, which has the potential for becoming a pandemic resulting in the death of millions.  Authorities from the Center of Disease Control admit that as a nation we are unprepared.  We do not have adequate vaccines.  We do not have medicines to treat the illness.  We do not have emergency protocols that would govern quarantines.  Repeated over and over again were all of the various aspects of how unprepared we were as a nation for a massive flu outbreak.  And authorities proclaimed that there was nothing that could be done to remedy the shortages of medicines or vaccines.  One thing they all did repeat, almost as a mantra – “We just need to be prepared”. 

Let me get this right.  First they say there is nothing that can be done medically to prevent an individual from getting the disease if there is a massive outbreak – namely vaccinations will be unlikely.  And then they say if someone does get infected with this new bird flu, there will be no medicine available.  But be prepared.  BE PREPARED!  For what, death, illness, hopelessness with little prospect of help or support!  I don't know about you, but I abandoned any faith that our government or any other agency will be there during any critical time of need. 

I have found that the old boy scout motto to “be prepared” is a good one.  However, I interpret “be prepared” as something that is done proactively, rather than broadcast hopelessness and in essence saying get ready for the worst.  I would like to discuss in this paper first what this threat of bird or avian flu is and secondly, what each of us can do to truly be prepared.

All animals get sick from time to time.  It seems that most of the illnesses that are contagious and spread from animal to animal are viruses.  Viruses have the ability to change or to mutate.  This is why every year there is a new flu vaccine,  because no virus stays the same.  Once infected by a virus our bodies develop what is called an antibody to that virus.  In other words, it develops the ability to recognize that particular virus and knows exactly how to fight and destroy it.  And so it is, once we get an illness, we are generally immune to that particular illness in the future.  The problem of course is getting exposed to something so new and different that your immune system has trouble figuring out how to fight it before the virus can get a foothold.  In essence, it is a race between the illness proliferating and the immune system figuring out how to fight the disease and mounting a response.  Generally, illnesses stay within species.  Human get human diseases.  Birds get bird illnesses.  Pigs get pig illnesses.  Occasionally, however a virus will mutate and jump from one species to another.  When this happens, it can catch the immune system off guard and cause great harm. The worst and deadliest flu outbreaks have come as a result of a bird influenza virus mutating to the point that it can infect humans.  This can occur when a bird flu virus and a human flu virus combine to form a new virus.

For an avian (bird) flu and a human flu to combine, they need to infect the same animal simultaneously.  Scientist consider the pig to be the likely mixing vessel, because pigs have the ability to be infected by both bird flu viruses as well as human flu viruses.  A pig could conceivably catch a human flu from the farmer and a bird virus from a duck.  The two viruses could then “reassort”, creating a hybrid that – in the worst case- would be able to infect human cells while still carrying bird-virus genes that would make it radically new to the human immune system of the people that catch it.  And this much we have learned.  New and different viruses can be deadly. 

The 1918 Spanish flu was just such a virus.  It was a totally new mutation of a virus that caught people's immune system off guard.  In 1918, the final year of the savage trench fighting of World War I, something else began taking out soldiers.  The disease hit both sides of the European front, laying low entire divisions of soldiers.  The sick took to beds with fever, piercing headache, and joint pain.  Many were young adults, exactly the group which are typically least affected by flu outbreaks.   About 5 percent of the victims died, some in just two or three days, their faces turning a ghastly purple as they essentially suffocated to death.  Doctors who opened the chests of the dead were horrified:  The lungs, normally light and elastic, were as heavy as water logged sponges, clogged with bloody fluid.

It is estimated that nearly every person on the planet was exposed to the 1918 Spanish Flu (which is suspected to have originated from birds).  Half of those exposed came down with symptoms and 5 percent of those were killed.  The death toll is estimated to be between 50 –100 million.  More recent outbreaks of influenza include the Asian flu of 1957 killing 1 million and the Hong Kong flu of 1968 killing 750,000.  Both of these flu's were suspected to have been created through a pig, which simultaneously was infected by human and bird viruses.

The next killer flu, as reported in October 2005 National Geographic magazine could be H5N1.  A bird-flu virus killing poultry and people in Asia, which could spread globally if it gains the ability to spread quickly from person to person.  Regardless of whether or not this strain of the flu will be “the big one”, scientist agree that a pandemic killer flu is on the horizon.  Estimated deaths could range from 7.4 million to an apocalyptic 180 to 360 million if we extrapolate 1918 death rate of 5% to our current population.  However, death rates of humans infected with H5N1 flu in Asia (primarily Vietnam) range between 50% to up to 70%.

President George Bush in a recent news conference reinforced what scientists have been telling us.  He also warns of military enforced quarantines.  No specifics, of course, are given.  More of just a ‘heads-up'.  Imagine with me for a moment what quarantines would look like.  Would trucks stop deliveries to stores?  Certainly, airports could close.  No one goes in, no one comes out.  Are we stopped at county lines, city limits, state boarders?  How rigorous will quarantine be enforced?

As I see it, there are a couple issues at hand.  To prepare our immune systems for a wide spread contagious epidemic and to prepare for the effects of a quarantine.  Let's first discuss quarantine. 

There has been much published on emergency preparedness since the public panic prior to Y2K (Remember that).  Your first priority should be to put together a “72-hour Kit”.  Contained within is everything you would need to survive for 3 days – food, clothing, water, medicines, etc.  This should be in a small pack that you can carry with you, should you need to evacuate.  And it does seem that 72 hours of self-sufficiency after a disaster is pretty reasonable. 

The next tier of preparedness would be for 3 weeks.  This is assuming that you would be able to stay at home.  How long quarantine would be imposed is anyone's guess, but complete self-sufficiency for 21 days is a reasonable goal.  Plan on 1 gallon of water per day per person, as well as food, cooking fuel, and anything else you may need if you could not go to a store for 3 weeks.  Prepare for your whole household.  You will feel much better being prepared, than having to rely on the government to feed and take care of your needs.  There is an excellent resource available from FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) – Call 1-800-480-2520 to request this free book “ ARE YOU READY? ”  You will leave your name and address on their recorder and they will send you this book of valuable information at no charge.

Each year I am asked by my patients what they can do to prevent or minimize their risk of getting sick during the flu season or winter months.  To be up front and honest with you, I can only share what I recommend for family and friends.  No one knows for certain how to prepare for any disaster or emergency.  All we can do is what we know best and pray it is enough.  We know that many who were struck down by the 1918 Spanish Flu appeared to be fit and healthy.  While preventative health measures hold no guarantee to avoid disease or disaster, I do believe each of us will be better off by being as healthy and prepared as we possibly can.

As follows are some of my recommendations:  

Boosting your Health and Immune System

Diet – This is the foundation of any healthcare program.  Simply put, eat whole natural foods.  Avoid harmful foods and substances such as tobacco, soda, excessive alcohol, coffee, or caffeinated drinks.  Sugar is probably the biggest deterrent to the immune system.  Eat organic fruits, vegetables and meats.  Avoid Genetically Modified Foods.  We all know which foods are healthy.  It is time to stop rationalizing your poor diet choices and practices.   

Exercise - You cannot be truly healthy without exercise.  I recommend working up to 45 minutes of aerobic exercise six days per week.  Walk, run, ride a bike, swim.  Move your body.  Get in shape and lose those extra pounds.

Sleep – Getting adequate rest is vital to obtain and maintain health.  Most people really do need about 8 hours of sleep per night.  Go to be early.  Wake up early.  Experiment to see how many hours of sleep per night will allow you to function at your best.  I found for me I do best with 8.5 hours per night.  I'd love to get by on 5, but I really feel good all day if I get at least 8. 

Supplements – Because we live in a world encroached with  pollution, toxins, poisons and nutrient-depleted soil, I believe most of our diets are deficient. I recommend that most people take a multiple whole food supplement, such as

Western Botanicals' Earth's Nutrition or Bountiful Blend  That is the basic supplement to be taken daily.  In addition, many benefit from taking Digestive Enzymes and Probiotics (the good bacteria such a acidophilus).  You may wish to add to these any supplements that you many need for specific conditions.  We also use Essiac Tea – 1˛4 cup daily.  This will strengthen the immune system as well as detoxify the liver.  Classically Essiac Tea was used to treat cancer, but it is effective for so many other things.

Regular Chiropractic Adjustments – Research has verified that regular tune-ups with your chiropractor will stimulate your immune system and improve your overall health.  Those who get regular treatments with their chiropractor really are healthier.  I recommend a treatment at least a couple times a year (when the seasons change) even if you feel great.  As the saying goes, “An ounce of prevention, is worth a pound of cure.” 

What to do for Illness or the Threat of Illness

At our house, when anyone begins to come down with something, everyone takes the herbs.  We know that if someone is succumbing to the exposure of an illness then all of us have been exposed and it is time for everyone's immune system to get revved up. 

At the first hint of not feeling well, I recommend our Anti-Plague Formula.  This is the big guns of fighting illness.  I take one-tablespoon of Anti-Plague Syrup 4 or 5 times daily.  We joke that the taste of this herbal remedy scares the disease away.  This formula can be traced back to Dr. John Christopher, who was lecturing in Arizona when he was asked if he had an herbal remedy to fight the plagues that the Bible predicts will come.  He said he didn't, and then paused for a long time while looking heavenward.  After a few minutes, he spoke giving the audience and long and complex formula, which required many steps to be followed in precise sequence.  And thus, the Anti-Plague Formula was born.  Western Botanicals' has become so effective in making this formula that Dr. Christopher's company has contracted with us to make this formula for them.  

Other supplements that we also use to boost the immune response are:  Immune Boost (which can be taken as a tincture, syrup or capsules), Herbal Super Tonic , Echinacea/Goldenseal Formula, Oregano, Olive leaf and our Flu-Virus Formula .  Additionally, during an illness if may be important to support other systems of the body.  For any illness involving the respiratory systems consider our Lungs Plus Formula.  This powerful formula not only opens the lungs and bronchials but also acts as an expectorant clearing the lungs.  During an illness and recovery, sometimes we will stimulate the immune systems by performing what is known as the COLD SHEET TREATMENT.   This proven procedure can be done in it's entirety or done as much as able to stimulate a quicker immune response and recovery. 

Other supportive products are Western Botanicals' Herbal Cough Syrup, Herbal Throat Spray, and Liver Detox Tea.

Let me summarize with the following recommendations:

This is what I would recommend as a minimum.  If someone is finicky about the taste of something, then you should add Immune Boost Capsules and/or Flu-Virus Capsules.  Of course, in a critical health situation, at least in my house everyone takes the herbs regardless of the whining or complaining that something tastes icky.

Other precautions that are reasonable are to prevent as best you can exposure to any potentially harmful virus.  Illness exposure is also dose related.  It will be easier for your immune system to ward off a minimal exposure rather than a full on sneeze in the face.  I recommend getting a nanomask which have the ability to filter out particles as small as a virus.

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~ Dr. Kyle D. Christensen D.C.~