Swine Flu

Several people have asked me about the Swine Flu lately, so I felt compelled to write about it. As of this writing (Thursday night), the number of confirmed cases of the swine flu worldwide is 257, according to the World Health Organization, 109 of which are in the USA. The number of confirmed deaths is 13 (12 in Mexico and 1 in the USA, and that one was a child from Mexico that died while in Texas). The number increases if they look at suspected cases. As of yesterday, the number of suspected cases was 1,614 with 18 deaths, so those extra people may have another form of the flu, or some other bug.

The way I look at it, is how can I become one of the 244 confirmed cases, or 1,596 suspected, who have survived this flu? It's not like 100% of the people are dying. People are getting sick and still living.

We are close to a "pandemic", which means that a new infectious disease is spreading throughout the world. It doesn't mean everyone will die, it doesn't mean dead bodies will be piled high on carts & buggies (visualize those photos from the early 1900's), and it doesn't mean our food and water supply will decrease. Back then, we didn't pay as close attention to hygiene or taking care of ourselves. We didn't have the knowledge to build our immune system to fight off disease, and we didn't have the medical knowledge and capability to fight disease if/when it happened.

With the Swine Flu, health officials from the CDC recommend taking several precautions to avoid getting swine flu. First, they recommend frequent hand washing and trying to stay in good general health. They recommend getting plenty of sleep, staying physically active, managing stress, drinking fluids, and eating healthy foods. They also advise people to avoid touching surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus. Also, they say to avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Isn't that what I talk about in my office every day? Should any of those be a surprise? Are they hard to do? Getting yourself healthy, building your immune system so you can fight off disease if and when you get it. The only thing they didn't mention was chiropractic care, and getting regular adjustments. Chiropractors helping patients battle the flu is not a new occurrence either.

During the 1917-18 influenza epidemic, which brought death and fear to many Americans, it has been estimated that 20 million people died throughout the world, including about 500,000 Americans. It was chiropractic's success in caring for flu victims that led to the profession's licensure in many states.

Researchers reported that in Davenport, Iowa, out of the 93,590 patients treated by medical doctors, there were 6,116 deaths -- a loss of one patient out of every 15. Chiropractors at the Palmer School of Chiropractic adjusted 1,635 cases, with only one death. Outside Davenport, chiropractors in Iowa cared for 4,735 cases with only six deaths -- one out of 866. During the same epidemic, in Oklahoma, out of 3,490 flu patients under chiropractic care, there were only seven deaths. Furthermore, chiropractors were called in 233 cases given up as lost after medical treatment, and reportedly saved all but 25. In another report covering 4,193 cases by 213 chiropractors 4,104 showed complete recovery.

Seems like Chiropractic care made a huge difference in helping people with the flu, right?

I'm not surprised the health officials don't talk about chiropractic care, because they don't know enough about it (or don't want it to be effective), as their focus is on medicine. Speaking of medicine, the Tamiflu is what they are recommending those those at risk. In 2007, Tamiflu went through some rough times when the FDA finally began investigating some 1,800 adverse event reports related to the drug. Common side effects of Tamiflu include: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, fatigue, and cough. All in all, aren't those the very symptoms you're trying to avoid?? And isn't this a new strain of the flu?

Okay, am I concerned about the Swine Flu? Yes. But not necessarily for reasons others are. I'm concerned because I don't want to see this world in a panic, I don't want people to die, I don't want this country, state, or town to be quarantined, and I don't want people to be forced to get a vaccination. If they come up with a vaccine quickly, then chances are it won't be tested accurately, it may not be effective, and it probably will cause more harm than good. That is what I'm afraid of (come to my Vaccine talk on Sat. 5/2 to learn more).

I remember a report from NY University and the University of Lund, Sweden, that showed that people under chiropractic care had a 200% stronger immune system than people not under chiropractic care. So, if the Swine Flu does happen to come to my community, I am certainly glad that I get adjusted and that my immune system is that much stronger to fight it off.

Isn't it reasonable to think that your vulnerability to the Swine Flu (and from dying from it) depends more on your personal health than it does on bugs? Don't you think you should focus on building a strong immune system, eating lots of fruits & vegetables (antioxidants!), getting plenty of rest, decreasing your stress levels, and getting adjusted so your nervous system can work as best as possible to fight something off? Take megadoses of Vitamin C, try the homeopathic remedy Oscillococcinum, take whole food supplements and antioxidants, try Elderberry and extra garlic, and certainly get adjusted.

So, if I am wrong and a massive pandemic hits and there are millions of deaths, then I am sorry. In the meantime, I am going to encourage all of you to do what you can NOW to build your immune system as strong as possible. Don't panic. Do what you can to be healthy (through all the ways mentioned above) and be a survivor.