IT seems with every rainy season or cold front that a new set of viruses hit our shores. Some with exotic names of which we have been pre-warned, and others are old ‘visitors’ that are returning for round two.

It seems they get scarier and scarier every year.

With the approach of Jamaica’s rainy season, we brace for mosquito-borne diseases that are impending. In the colder months, many of us rush out to get a flu shot. The truth is that the flu shot only covers a few strains of flu viruses and is based on which viruses are predicted to be about in the next flu season.

Of note is that there are hundreds of strains of the flu, as the virus can mutate before being passed on in any individual, meaning that your strain may not be very likely to be covered by the vaccine.

Also, according to the Department of Justice based on an article from Health Impact news, the ‘flu shot’ is the most dangerous vaccine based on injuries and death compensated by the United States Government, Guillain-Barre syndrome being the most frequent complication. Others are fibromyalgia, transverse myelitis and death. Effectiveness is also less in the elderly.

While there are readily available antibiotics to heal bacterial infections, antivirals to kill these viruses are not as widely available. Largely, the strength of our immune system has been our best defence. We do have pain relievers such as paracetamol and antihistamines at our fingertips. These do help the symptoms quite well, and vitamin C in high enough doses can help your resistance and shorten the duration. As vitamin C doesn’t last long in your system, it may be good to take it three times a day during your recovery period.

PROTECT YOURSELF

Living in the tropics, we have moringa leaves, which contain high amounts of bioavailable or usable vitamin C, as well as other immune system supporters.

We are told to drink lots of fluids and this really does help. I would recommend warm beverages, even if a person has a fever.

Please do not place your loved one in ice-cold water if they have a fever. When viral specimens are being transported to labs for testing, they are recommended to be transferred in cold conditions so as not to damage the virus. When the time gets cold, more flu-type viruses are seen as the viruses are strengthened and your immunity is weakened.

I have found that the fastest way to break a fever is to drink something warm, but not sweet. Also, avoid large, complicated meals that will use up lots of your body’s energy reserves to digest. Favour instead foods like chicken soup, which while being consumed hot, also has lots of seasonings like garlic, thyme and escallion that have antiviral and immunity-strengthening properties.

In my practice I have also found rinsing your body during a bath in a pre-cooled pot of tea made from tamarind leaves helps to shorten the duration of viral skin rashes such as chicken pox, and pityriasis rosea.

As a doctor, I have also seen many patients get better rapidly with the consumption of either olive oil or coconut oil; one teaspoon, once or twice daily, both of which are known to have antiviral properties.

Interestingly, they also work when applied to the body. I have seen where a single drop of the potent oregano oil in water daily for two or three doses can usually knock the flu and other viruses out within about two days. Oregano oil is the strongest form of herb used in seasoning pizzas. It is quite potent and acts like a nuclear bomb, wiping out every pathogen in its path, while your cells are safe.

It is important to take acidophillus to prevent it from wiping out the ‘good guys’ or friendly bacteria in your system (but not at the same time). Do not use oregano oil if you take medications, are using other herbal remedies, or have an allergy to it.

Activated charcoal is a safe option that helps to lessen the severity of symptoms due to any virus. It ‘takes up’ and carries toxic debris, created by the viral illness, safely out of your body so that you will feel better more quickly. Be sure not to take this at the same time with your medications because it will also carry them out of your body in much the same way. It is especially good at helping your body to overcome diarrheal illness due to any cause.

It is important to drink plenty of water with it to avoid constipation. It is also safe for children in smaller doses. I give this to my children to stop diarrhoea quickly, along with acidophillus or other ‘friendlies’.

There are other remedies such as colloidal silver, which was allegedly used to help some African countries get control of Ebola.

We have used it in our office to shorten the duration of viruses among our team members. Try to get ‘ionic’ silver and not one with flecks of silver floating in the bottom of the container. Silver does help with viral illnesses and is a viable, though expensive option for short-term use, in my opinion.

When West Nile virus was about in the United States, a farmer accidentally fell on his electrically charged fence. It was wired to keep wolves out of his farm. He got a very solid shock, but his West Nile virus went away. Seeing this, his neighbour threw himself against the fence too and his virus was also cured.

Now please, do not stick your fingers into a socket or try to sustain an electric shock because you may likely die. There are now available in Jamaica opportunities for exposure to gentle microcurrent therapy, which has similar effects.

We have also used these gentle therapies at the Jamaica Centre for Advanced Medicine to stop the debilitating symptoms of chikungunya virus in many individuals with stubborn or lasting effects of the disease.

Bitter herbs like aloe vera are known to be very antiviral with different degrees of effectiveness and immune system support. It is delightful to know that these options also improve the strength of your immune system at the same time that it is killing the virus.

It would be wonderful if, as a tropical island, we did more research in the area of using tropical plants to kill viruses, as this is one of the biggest threats to humanity today.

Now that we are armed with options, let’s not forget to keep a positive attitude about life. If you are always tired and in a state of overwhelm due to work or other stress, you will be a prime candidate for a viral illness.

Take care of your body in general and remember to laugh as often as you possibly can, as this improves your immune system’s ability to function effectively.

Dr Arlene Rose is the head physician and proprietor of the Jamaica Centre for Advanced Medicine (JCAM). A graduate of the University of the West Indies’ Medical Faculty, she received a masters (with Distinction) in dermatology at Wales College of Medicine and completed further studies in the US and Europe in cosmetic surgery and laser therapy. Visit JCAM’s website at: www.jcamhealth.com.