Just when you thought it was safe to breathe, a new study from the University of Maryland, finds that it’s easier to spread the influenza virus than previously thought. But that doesn’t mean you need to be scared into getting a flu shot according to medical experts.
People typically believe that they catch the flu by exposure to droplets from an infected person’s coughs or sneezes or contaminated surfaces. However new information about flu transmission reveals that we may pass the flu to others just by breathing.
They Studied Breath
Researchers looked for influenza virus in the exhaled breath from 142 confirmed cases of people with influenza during natural breathing, prompted speech, spontaneous coughing, and sneezing. They collected the specimens on the first three days that the patients had their symptoms. Not surprisingly, the analysis which has recently been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, showed that most flu patients routinely shed large quantities of infectious virus into the air that can pass the flu virus along to those nearby. What was surprising is that the patients often shed the virus even without coughing or sneezing.
According to Donald K. Milton, M.D., MPH, lead researcher of this study, “We found that flu cases contaminated the air around them with infectious virus just by breathing, without coughing or sneezing.” He went on to explain, “People with flu generate infectious aerosols (tiny droplets that stay suspended in the air for a long time) even when they are not coughing, and especially during the first days of illness.”
Your Amazing Immune System
Because according to this, we are exposed to a flu virus way more often than we previously thought. From elevators to stores to schools to the office, There are people who have the flu and are breathing therefore the flu virus is around. But how often do we get the flu? This study shows that our immune system is fighting the flu every day and for the most part, we are winning the battle. If we do get it, there is most likely some problem with the immune system and remember the immune system is run by the nervous system so if your nerves aren’t working at full potential, neither is your immune system.
So, what should you do if you get the flu? First and most important thing is to make sure your immune system is working at peak potential. This means get to your chiropractor and get an exam done. We use computerized technology to in our office to do just that. The next thing is to understand that your immune system needs energy and heat to combat the virus. So, take a nice hot bath, then get lots of warm clothes on and get some rest.
A fever is the way your body gets the white blood cells to do their job. As long as you are drinking water, a fever is a good thing. Vitamin C and Zinc are great for immune support. 3-5,00 mg of vitamin C twice a day is a great start and a zinc lozenge is very helpful also.
Yours in Love and Health,
Dr. Jack Belitz, DC
PS February is Give the gift of Health Month
All month long if you have a loved one who is in need of help, you can send them in for a free exam, and consultation. Maybe they have back pain or headaches, maybe stomach pains or shortness of breath. Possibly they are taking steroids or anti depressants and want to find a way to get off those drugs. A computerized exam and consultation will often tell us what we need to know and what is possible for them . The gift of health is one of the most loving and powerful ways to help a loved one out. Have them mention your name and the exam and consult will be at no charge.