Fighting Infections
When antibiotics were developed in
the middle of the 20th century, they were hailed as “miracle drugs”.
Life-threatening infections were suddenly able to be brought quickly under
control. In the period of time that ensued, antibiotics were overused. They
were used for the common cold and for viral infection.
While it is desirable to get an
infection under control, the overuse of antibiotics has created “superbugs” or
bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. Also, antibiotic use has been
linked to the development of allergies and taking them burdens the liver,
kidneys and digestive system.
Of course, some infections call for
antibiotics. Life-threatening diseases like septicemia or pneumonia call for
intervention with drugs. Many minor conditions like colds or flu respond well
to natural therapies.
We say things like, “Yesterday I
caught a cold.” That implies that everyone around you “missed” the cold. The
germs, with Michael Jordan-like moves, faked right, spun left, avoiding
everyone else and slam-dunked into you. At work, school or any place where a
lot of people are together, there are people who are sick all of the time and
there are people who are never sick. Do the germs keep missing the same people
all of the time? Of course not, people who don’t get sick have better cell
function, enzyme function, hormone function, immune system function and better
overall health. Modern medicine is sickness oriented, so it tends to fight
disease rather than to promote health.
Wouldn’t it be wise to treat your
health before you developed a disease? If your car runs reasonably well and you
take it to a mechanic, he doesn’t say, “There’s nothing wrong with your car,
bring it to me when it doesn’t run.” A car has need of a mechanic, even when it
is running. It needs regular maintenance to keep it running. The mechanic will
change the oil and spark plugs in an otherwise “healthy” car. He doesn’t wait
until the engine locks up from lack of oil.
Fevers
For some reason we tend to view a
fever as a problem that needs to be brought under control. Normal temperature
is considered to be 98.6o Fahrenheit, but a child’s normal
temperature may be a little higher; slightly over 99o may be normal
in a child. There are many things, like physical activity, wearing a lot of
clothes (especially in winter), or hot food, that can cause a child’s
temperature to be slightly higher.
Even if there is a fever, or
temperature that is 99.5o or higher, the fever is not the problem—it
is a symptom. The fever is a positive response to the disease. It is a sign
that the immune system is working. Fever
increases the amount of a natural antiviral and anticancer substance in
the blood, called interferon. Fever can
also increases the white blood cells, and improves their ability destroy
bacteria and infected cells. Fever also hinders the reproduction of many
viruses and bacteria. A mild fever may be a good thing—the immune system is
working.
The
idea of trying to stop a mild fever with a drug is not a good one. The fever is
actually your body fighting the illness. If a child is sick monitor him or her
for dramatic increases in temperature and worsening of any other of his
symptoms.
A temperature of 106° Fahrenheit can harm the heart and brain. If it gets that
high, then you need to be concerned. During most infections, however, the
temperature does not rise above 104° Fahrenheit.
Fevers, of course, can be
problematic. Sweating causes loss of salt, water and vitamins. During moderate
fevers, we can compensate for these losses by drinking fluids and eating
nutritious foods. Loss of appetite and lethargy are common occurrences in
fever. If a child has a fever, and does not want to eat, don’t force the
issue—appetite will return upon recovery. Do, however, make sure that the child
gets enough water. Dehydration can make the situation worse. Sometimes soup or
broth is appealing and can help to restore nutrients.
Aspirin
reduces fever, pain, and inflammation, but pediatricians rarely recommend it.
Taking aspirin during viral illness has been linked to Reye's syndrome. Reye's
syndrome is a rare, potentially fatal childhood disease. In general, it strikes
children under the age of 15 upon recovering from an upper respiratory illness,
flu or chicken pox. Reye's syndrome is characterized by abnormal accumulations
of fat in the liver and a severe increase of pressure in the brain. Typically
the first symptom is uncontrollable vomiting and nausea. Other early symptoms
include lethargy, drowsiness, disorientation and irritability. The swelling in
the brain may cause seizures; coma and the child may stop breathing. A child
with Reye's syndrome needs immediate medical care. The earlier it is diagnosed,
the better the chance for a successful recovery.
Acetaminophen
(sold under the trade name Tyleol), can reduce a fever. According to the American Journal Respiratory Critical Care
Medicine (April 2004; 169(7):836-41), taking acetaminophen may have a link
to asthma, in those who are susceptible. It may decrease levels of an antioxidant in
the lungs. Antioxidants help protect the lungs against free radicals. Free
radicals are unstable chemicals (like chemical bullets) that destroy cells. Antioxidants
are like chemical “bullet-proof vests” that protect tissues. Lower levels of
antioxidants may predispose people to lung injury and spasm in the lung airways—the
symptoms of asthma. The combination of acetaminophen and aspirin is also good
to avoid—the combination may cause kidney damage.
Health—a Question of Balance
In infections,
the severity of the problem is a function of the virulence of the infecting
agent (virus, bacteria etc.) and the resistance of the host. Applied
kinesiology, chiropractic and good nutrition will help to build resistance.
Antibiotic drugs and drugs to reduce fever may be necessary if the situation is
serious or life-threatening. As you take steps to improve your health and
resistance (or the health and resistance of your child), infections become
fewer and milder.
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