Viruses and bacteria are among this earth’s smallest microscopic organisms. Though different in their makeup and activities, they both contribute to the onset of colds and flu. Bacteria, which do not cause colds or flu but can cause secondary conditions, are single-celled beings that abound in our environment oceans, lakes, air, soil and any moist setting. They are not reliant on an unwilling host for survival, and can survive and reproduce alone. Many bacteria are beneficial to humans, while there are many others that are harmful. These we call pathogenic bacteria, and are those, which cause a huge variety of infection and disease to the human body.
Viruses are much smaller than bacteria, measuring anywhere from ½ to 1/100th the size of the smallest bacterium. No known viruses are beneficial to the human body. In fact, because viruses are parasites dependent on a host to reproduce and live, they all cause disease to the body. It does this by invading a host cell and commandeering the cell’s genetic material as its own, breaking it down and eventually merging with it. In its reproductive processes, the virus ends up destroying the host cell.
All viruses and bacteria can reproduce extremely quickly. Under ideal conditions, one bacterium can reproduce every twenty minutes, which means it could have 16 million “offspring” within a twenty-four hour period. Viruses replicate just as rapidly, which makes clear that when you are fighting a cold or the flu, time is of utmost importance.
HOW DO VIRUSES CAUSE SICKNESS?
Viruses are the cause of the majority of symptoms that accompany a cold or flu. They are involved in the cause of symptoms in several ways. First, some of the symptoms of a cold are caused by the body’s own immunological response to the infection; these would include a cough, fever, runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, etc. Viruses can also prompt what is termed a “disease process,” which is the production of antibodies that attach to the viruses they’re fighting as both travel throughout the body. Additionally, a virus can destroy or damage vital organs they invade; depending on the extent of the infection in various organs, coupled with the overall virus invasion, the body’s immune system can become substantially worn down, making one much more susceptible to other infections.
Fighting The Cold and Flu: How The Immune System Works
This section will be a simplified account of how the body defends itself using various processes and components that are generally classified as the immune system. The body basically uses two interrelated functions recognition and response in making its defense mechanisms effective. First, the body is able to recognize foreign agents within the body; these can include anything from a virus to a toxin from cigarette smoke. Once this foreign agent is recognized, the body enlists the help of a variety of cells and molecules to eliminate or neutralize the invader.
To be able to enter the body, the invading organism must first get through physical barriers like the skin and mucous membranes of the nose, throat, and sinuses. These provide an extremely effective barrier to entry by most microorganisms. Intact skin is the most effective barrier; it is compromised when it experiences cuts, scrapes and other wounds. To otherwise gain entry into the body, pathogens must colonize into a formidable number to be able to withstand the various defense cells of the mucous membranes and discharge of mucus by the body to penetrate the mucous membrane. The number of the pathogen must be great enough to withstand the “washing” by saliva, tears, mucous and other fluids, most of which also possess antibacterial and antiviral properties.
If the invading organisms are able to get through the skin and mucous membranes, there are several other immune system barriers waiting. The body’s temperature is an effective deterrent to many organisms. For instance, anthrax, a serious condition common to many farm animals, does not affect chickens because of the chickens’ high body temperature.
(1) Hydrochloric acid, found in the stomach, is also a major barrier to infection. Very few viruses that make it past the mucous membranes of the nose and throat to the stomach can survive the stomach’s acid and low pH. Interferon is another of the body’s great immunity agents. It is derived from virus-infected cells, thereby enabling it to bind with and neutralize nearby virus cells; if there is enough of the interferon, it can neutralize large numbers of the invading virus.
THE BODY’S FIGHTER CELLS
There are two major groups of phagocytes (any cell that destroys foreign particles) in the immune system: antigen producing cells, called B-lymphocytes, and which mature within bone marrow; and (2)(3) T-cells, which are produced by the thymus gland. These antigen producers are supported by the other glands in the body (otherwise known as the lymphoid organs), which include the lymph nodes, spleen, and mucosal associated lymphoid tissue, and the tonsils, appendix and Peyer’s patches. One of the fantastic aspects of these “producers” is their ability to take over the production of antigens by another immobilized producer. The following gives a brief description of the body’s fighter cells and their functions.
B Cells: These mature in the bone marrow and produce antibodies to inhibit activity of foreign agents. B cells account for 10-15 percent of all lymphocytes.
T Cells: These mature in the thymus gland and direct their activity against specific invading antigens (such as a specific flu strain). They make up about 75 percent of the body’s lymphocytes.
Helper T Cells: These cells, also known as T-4 cells, are a specific type of T cell that secrete the proteins Interleukin and interferon to stimulate B cells and Killer T cells. They make up a large portion of all T cells.
Killer T Cells: Also known as T-8 cells, these bind themselves to a specific invading cell and inject it with enzymes that aid in destroying it. Killer T cells make up about 25 percent of all T cells.
Suppressor T Cells: These cells act to prevent excessive immune response by the body; they can actually suppress the activity of the other lymphocytes.
Natural Killer Cells: These cells are nonspecific (neither B nor T cells), free-ranging cells that can recognize and kill any invading cell on first contact. They are the body’s most potent weapon, possessing over 100 biochemical “poisons” for destroying invading cells. Natural Killer cells account for only 5-10 percent of the body’s lymphocytes.
Prevention The Best Medicine
Since there are no known “cures” for colds or flu, prevention is often the best medicine. In fact, taking preventive measures against the cold and flu will also improve your overall health. The following areas provide prevention tips in various areas.
HYGIENE:
Wash Your Hands
This is a simple, yet extremely effective way to avoid flu or cold infection. Most cold and flu viruses are spread by direct contact and “self-inoculation” (making yourself sick by touching a virus-contaminated object or person, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes). Evidence shows this is all it takes for you to become infected. Wash often during the day, especially if you are around sick people. Washing with soap (antibacterial soaps are good disinfectants) or just plain hot water are great virus deterrents.
Avoid Touching Your Face
(4) Because cold and flu viruses enter through the mouth, nose and eyes, touching one’s face is a risky practice when trying to avoid becoming sick. Studies have shown that most adults, whether conscientiously or not, touch their face more than fifteen times an hour. A concentrated effort to avoid this can greatly decrease the risk of catching a cold or the flu.
Keep a Sick Room (or house) Healthy
(5) If there is someone in the home who is sick, make sure to keep their room, and the whole house, well sanitized. The following guidelines will aid you in doing this: Change and wash their bed linens daily. Wipe with disinfectant all lamp and light switches, telephones, doorknobs, TV remote controls, or anything else the infected person might touch. Periodically air out room by opening doors and windows. Continually introducing fresh air reduces the risk of other persons in the house becoming infected.
DIET AND NUTRITION:
Eat Healthful Foods
(6) (7) Eating right will not only help prevent virus infections, but will also help promote overall good health. Healthful eating habits encourage healthy cell and tissue reproduction, maintain strong bone and tissues, provide the necessary nutrients for the immune system to operate at top levels, and allow the body to run efficiently and avoid unnecessary stress. Ensure that your diet follows the guidelines given by the FDA, namely the “Food Pyramid.” This pyramid outlines the different food groups and the approximate servings one should eat daily to encourage good levels of health.
It is important to remember that there are several factors that determine how one should eat. Age is one of these. For example, most young to middle age adults should consume about 2,000 calories. This number decreases, however, once you are over fifty. The older you are, the “smarter” you must eat. Metabolism slows with age, as does the body’s ability to effectively utilize nutrients. Studies show that as one’s age increases, so does their risk of contracting more severe strains of the flu and cold.
Probably one of the soundest pieces of advice when determining what and how to eat is that of eating “whole” foods; that is, foods that are in their basic, or natural, state. These would include fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, and whole grains. Of course, dishes including any of these would generally be considered healthful. Whole foods contain “phytonutrients,” compounds such as flavonoids, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants that protect the body and provide the necessary elements for optimal function. As foods are broken down more and more (e.g., processed, cooked, synthesized), their most valuable components are often lost. One cannot overestimate the importance of a healthful diet in not only preventing the onset of colds and flu, but of achieving overall good health.
Drink Plenty of Fluids
(8) Because nearly 75 percent of the body is water, and because water is necessary for most of the body’s defense functions, it is very important to keep the body’s fluid levels at optimum levels. A typical adult needs eight 8-ounce glasses of water or clear liquids a day. Schedule breaks throughout your day to make sure you receive adequate fluids.
Exercise
Exercise is essential for overall good health. Aerobic exercise is especially beneficial; it speeds up the heart to pump larger quantities of blood; makes you breathe heavier and faster to aid in the oxygen transfer from the lungs to the cardiovascular system; and forces your body to flush out toxins through sweat once the body’s temperature rises. Eventually, aerobic exercise forces the body’s cells to use larger amounts of the blood’s oxygen, making those body tissues more healthy and able to defend themselves.
Exercise also helps the body by relieving stress; it gets rid of excess adrenaline, triggers the release of endorphins, which helps relieve depression, and strengthens muscles, bones and body tissues. Studies also show that the body’s immune system is directly aided by exercise because of the increased release of the body’s virus-killing cells.
Basically, exercise is very beneficial for the body’s overall health and can help prevent infection by a cold or flu virus. It doesn’t matter what kind of exercise you do; the important thing is that you do it.
OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS:
Avoid Smoking
Smoking does several things to not only promote the onset of colds and flu, but to encourage more severe ones. Smoking dries the cilia in the mucous membranes, paralyzing them in their ability to trap and sweep out viruses. Smoking also introduces an overload of toxins to the mucous membranes, making it nearly impossible for the cilia that aren’t disabled to get rid of these toxins and any other pathogens (cold and flu viruses included). There is an overwhelming mountain of evidence pointing to a direct link between smoking and all forms of respiratory ailments.
Avoid Consuming Alcohol
Alcohol is a depressant that slows body responses to the environment, including that of eliminating cold and flu viruses. As most people know, heavy alcohol consumption destroys the liver, one of the main organs involved in cleaning and filtering the body of unwanted toxins. Alcohol also depletes mineral and vitamin stores and is dehydrating to the body, further diminishing the body’s ability to battle the onset of flu or colds.
Get Plenty of Rest
The importance of sleep and rest in optimizing the body’s ability to fight infection cannot be overemphasized. Numerous studies show that Americans in general do not get enough good quality sleep. Sleep is the time the body is at its best in cleaning the body of unwanted materials, repairing damaged cells, supplying nutrients and essentially revitalizing the body.
Reduce Stress
Stress is one of the most common factors contributing to the onset of colds and flu. While stress is a natural part of life, it can sometimes overwhelm a person. There is much research indicating that effective stress management not only helps prevent the onset of various diseases, but also shortens their duration. Identifying and coping with sources of stress can certainly help maintain a healthy immune system.
