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Bird Flu Virus An Influenza Pandemic?  The Bird Flu Virus by LeeAnn Rahn October, 2005 The H5N1 or Avian (Bird) Flu Virus seems to have the complete attention of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).  Are they worried the Bird Flu Virus may be the "big one" we have been warned about for years?  Could it be the virus that rivals the Spanish Flu and goes down in the history books as the most deadly, world wide outbreak?  The answer to both those questions is a resounding YES.  The CDC and WHO are very worried.  On the heels of dealing with the the SARS virus, which became uncomfortably close to becoming a pandemic, they now are on "red alert" and keeping a very close eye on the Bird Flu Virus.   What exactly is the Bird Flu virus?  It is a version of influenza A.  Influenza A is the cause of avian influenza in wild birds (it's natural host) and the cause of some influenza cases in humans including all pandemic influenza human outbreaks.   The H denotes hemmagglutinin activity of which there are 16 known varieties.  The N denotes neuraminidase activity of which there are 9 varieties.  Of all the variations, most that cause influenza in birds generally do not afflict humans and only three of the varieties have been know to cause influenza in humans.[1]  Currently, H5N1 has infected wild birds, ducks, and other foul in "Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Turkey, Romania, and Croatia".[2]  Though recently it has shown the ability to also jump to pigs, cats, tigers, and leopards.  As of October 2005 there has been 121 human WHO documented cases with 62 deaths.   Although, in a 2004 report from Vietnam, 8 of 10 humans died (80%) and 67% from another study. [2]  No matter how you look at it this virus is very deadly. H5N1 is not a new virus though.  According to some sources it has been identified as the source of millions of bird deaths and was identified back in 1961[1].  H5N1 is not the first "bird flu" either.  The1918-1919 Spanish Flu (H1N1) killed more than 50 million people worldwide - more than 500,000 in the United States alone.  Different strains in 1957 and 1968 each claimed more than a million people.[1] So why is everyone so worried about a Bird Flu pandemic?  As viruses spread they generally mutate into different variations of the original.  They are in a race for survival themselves.  Severely deadly diseases are generally not as infections, the virus is easier to detect, and the spread of the virus is easier to contain.  How long will a seriously deadly virus last?  Well, if it kills off all of it's victims before it has a chance to spread to others, not very long.  This is why we see viruses mutate.  They are attempting to make necessary changes in order to survive as long as possible and some viruses are better at it than others.  Is the Bird Flu virus mutating?  Yes it is and at a rapid pace.  The major worry is that H5N1 will mutate into a related virus capable of human to human transmission and, based on history, that possibility is very real and yes everyone should be well aware of the possibility.  This is NOT one of the common scare tactics used to sell more vaccines.  I want everyone to understand this potential threat is very real but, at the same time, I do not want anyone to panic.  The Bird Flu is not a human to human transmittable virus yet and may never be.  Besides, stress, fear, and panic are great ways to lower your resistance and beat up your immune system.  You need to be healthy and strong should this come to fruition. If the Bird Flu virus mutates into a human to human infection, it will likely become less deadly and that is exactly what has health officials in a frenzy.  Based on those words alone that sentence seems a bit contradictory but generally as the virus becomes less deadly it becomes more infectious.  The virus will have the ability to "hide" in it's host and spread to others it comes in contact with.  Now you have a virus that kills fewer of it's hosts but has the ability to spread across the world fairly quickly.  How can you protect yourself from the Bird Flu virus?  The best protection from the Bird Flu is a healthy immune system.  A healthy immune system may in fact be the only protection most of us will have if we end up in the middle of a pandemic.  Hospitals will just become breeding grounds for the virus.  If a pandemic occurs, and you didn't have the flu when you arrived at the hospital, you will likely have it when you leave.  Plus, no country in the world is equipped to handle the influx of patients likely to be produced.  In the event of a pandemic, those showing symptoms of the Bird Flu virus will likely be quarantined.  In addition, you can expect large gatherings of people to be prohibited and possibly some serious limitations to your personal freedom.  Will quarantine stop the virus though, probably not. Another option is a flu vaccine.  Unfortunately, it takes quite some time to develop an effective flu vaccine.  Scientists are currently hard at work but are only working on a vaccine based on the initial strains of the H5N1(versus the most recent mutations).  The final strain(s) may not be affected by a vaccine whose creation is based on the origins of the virus.  BUT, if and when a vaccine is available, I would suggest getting it none-the-less.  Something that may delay the virus is better than nothing at all. Anything else?  There are also anti viral drugs currently being used to help treat the Bird Flu virus.  Until we are staring the pandemic in the eyes though, we will not know whether the strain is resistant to these drugs or not.  Some nations are beginning to stock up on certain anti viral drugs but none seem to be stockpiling.  In the event of a pandemic, there will likely not be enough doses of the medicine to go around anyway; only the sickest or those with the most influence (money and connections) will be able to get their hands it. The President has been in the media the last couple weeks speaking about the Bird Flu virus.  It is good the government is getting involved in a proactive way but please, I beg you, do not rely on the vaccines or medication.  If the Bird Flu does cause a pandemic, the specific strain (mutation) may or may not be affected by the current vaccines or anti viral medications.  In addition, the virus will likely continue to mutate as time passes.  Those first afflicted during a pandemic will likely have a different strain than those afflicted down the road. So, as you can see, your life is literally in your own hands.  Get healthy and you increase your chances of surviving should the Bird Flu visit you where you live.  If there was ever a reason to get healthy, this is it.  What are the possible side effects - weight loss, lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, fewer headaches, more energy, improved immune response, etc.  This list could go on forever. Where should you start?  Well, I know you are not going to like this list and it is going to take some effort on your part, but this is one of the best reasons I have seen in my lifetime to get healthy. 1.  Cut soft drinks completely out of your diet.  Sugar depresses your immune system and those of you who drink diet drinks are not off the hook.  Sugar substitutes such as equal, nutrisweet, and splenda are actually worse for you than sugar. 2.  Exercise is a must.  Exercise helps removes toxins from your body.  If your body is unable to neutralize acids in the bloodstream, it will "hide" the toxins in your fat cells as a way to bring your blood pH back to homeostasis.  Learn more about pH. 3.  Get plenty of sunlight.  Sunlight, technically UVB rays, helps your body create Vitamin D which is necessary to properly synthesize calcium and regulates many hormonal functions.  Without the proper buffers in your blood, of which calcium is a very important one, your body will become acidic and eventually diseased.  Note: do not use sunscreen - it will prevent you from receiving the healing rays you need. 4.  Drink plenty of pure, clean water.  Pure and clean mean chlorine and fluoride free. 5.  Avoid all processed foods, especially flour and sugar based foods.  It definitely bears repeating, sugar depresses your immune system.  Plus, most processed foods contain chemical additives and are fairly nutrient desolate.  I know you won't be able to cut out all processed foods or sugars. These days, it seems like a good 90% of the foods available in our standard grocery store are processed but do your best. Beyond the nutritional changes, several natural foods, nutrients, and herbs have wonderful anti viral properties.  Please note: only a very few of the many, many nutrients and herbs with anti viral properties are listed here. Foods Garlic Onions Aloe Vera Ginger Berries Shitake Mushrooms Apples/Fresh Apple Juice Nutrients Vitamin A Vitamin C Vitamin E Vitamin B5 Zinc Selenium Calcium Germanium Herbs Green Tea Cat's Claw Curcumin Astragalus Root St. John's Wort* Lemon Balm Grapefruit Seed Extract Licorice * Do not take St. John's Wort if you are on ANY other medication without discussing its drug interactions with a knowledgeable health practitioner.  St. John's Wort is a great herb and may actually be more effective than many prescription antidepressants but is very reactive with other medications - even the "pill"! In the event of an H5N1 outbreak you may wish to abstain from the following herbs/nutrients/foods: Elderberry Juice, Micro Algae like Chlorella and Spirulina, Honey, Chocolate,  and Echinacea.  All are known to increase inflammatory cytokine production.  In general most of these are great for use during a standard influenza incident but H5N1 is different than the standard flu. Generally, influenza viruses cause inflammation by invading the cells lining the throat and windpipe.  Sometimes, the lungs are also invaded which can lead to pneumonia.  Certain strains of H5N1 have gone beyond that though.  Instead of only multiplying in the host's throat and lungs, H5N1 can now multiply in other organs.  Your liver, intestines, and brain can become breeding grounds and lead to infections affecting your entire body.  In addition, the Bird Flu virus floods your body with chemicals called cytokines.  Normally cytokines are helpful but in excess can cause serious damage to your body.   During the 1918 Spanish Flu many healthy individuals died due to "cytokine storms".  Bottom line: Get healthy, stay healthy.  It's your best bet and it has beneficial side effects! References 1.  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website - http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/facts.htm. 2.  Infections Diseases Society of America website - http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/idsa/influenza/avianflu/biofacts/avflu_human.html. 3.  Bird Flu Survival Guide - http://bird-flu-influenza.com 4.  Beat the Bird Flu Virus, Mike Adams, www.truthpublishing.com Back to Contents

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