| Q.
I
understand the difference between viruses (not killable with antibiotics)
and bacteria (susceptible to being killed by many antibiotics),
but what else can be done to prevent or treat these routine winter
illnesses. I want to try to keep my preschooler
in school for more than a couple days in a row. A.
OK, you have found the major distinction between the two
groups of microorganisms, but now let me confuse this a little
further by telling you that there are a few anti-viral meds that
work like Acyclovir (aka Zovirax) for the herpes family which
includes chicken pox, cold sores and genital herpes and many different
medicines which are used to treat HIV disease. Other anti-viral
drugs are available and still more are in the pharmaceutical companies
pipelines. However, the main defense against routine winter illnesses
(respiratory as well as gastrointestinal) is great "body
care" and the use of alternative remedies.
The school kids
understand that a little extra sleep and a lot of extra water
helps the body to "get better quicker." Adults are a
touch harder to convince but they listen eventually. My anti-sugar
message also seems to resonate better with young children but
I have great science on my side. Simply speaking, the immune system
does not defend itself as well against invaders when there's a
lot of sugar in the bloodstream. I describe "sludging"
of the speedy white cells to kids and I am not really stretching
the truth . . . merely embellishing it.
My regimen for
prevention includes:
Vitamin C dosed
at 500 mg/day/year of age up to a max of 5000 mg/day for adults
Echinacea and
astragalus herbal preparations for kids from age ten months
on up to adulthood. There are a lot of different brands so follow
the directions on the bottle and try to avoid alcohol containing
mixtures. Stop using the astragalus when the virus hits, according
to old Chinese writings and advice. These are very safe herbs.
Elderberry Extract
is an antiviral herb and very safe for children 10 months and
up. It attaches to viral binding sites so that mucus membranes
do not get infected as easily. It works.
Mullein/garlic
oil in the ear (when you're sure the ear drum
is intact) helps ease inflammation, pain and speeds healing without
antibiotics.
An important
note: Most pediatric authorities now recognize that ear infections
should not be treated with antibiotics for the first three days
in children who are otherwise well. Pain control is important
and then let the body's immune system do its job. The ear infection
will resolve in 70 to 80% of children who do not receive antibiotics.
Eat well, get a
little extra rest (not the easiest thing for moms to do!) exercise
reasonably, and try some of the suggested herbal and vitamin treatments
to get you and your kids through the early viral season.
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