Across the globe, viruses are having a heyday. Some are attributing it to global warming, suggesting that as glaciers melt they are releasing viruses we haven’t had to face in centuries back into circulation (this has long been a fear regarding the flu—that glaciers may have preserved the 1917 flu strain that killed thousands).
But there are probably multiple reasons viruses are spreading and multiplying—a warm winter last year caused record Lyme Disease and West Nile Virus cases. Increased population means it’s easier for pathogens to spread. And many people have poor hygiene—antibiotics lulled many into a false sense of security about what it means to get sick, and they discount the importance of handwashing.
In other countries, rapid growth (both population size and industrial development) affects water quality, waste disposal, and other living conditions that encourage pathogens to proliferate.
In any case, none of these problems can be easily stopped, and so we can expect to deal with viruses, both the mundane, and possible the extraordinary, with increased regularity over at least the next decade or two.
What can you do? Strengthen your immune system!
-Talk to you doctor, an acupuncturist, an herbalist, or whoever about any current illnesses you may have, even if they’re mild. A small, almost symptomless infection can increase your chances of contracting a more serious disease by a wide margin.
-Focus on exercise and nutrition—both help your body to function optimally. Work up to getting 30 minutes of exercise a day, and when you’re busy, try to sneak it in by doing little things like taking the stairs. Eating a diet of whole grains, lean proteins, and a wide variety of veggies. Supplement with a multivitamin because you won’t cover every category 100% every day.
-Support your immune system. Get enough sleep, consider an immune supporting supplement like MesoSilver, and take time off if you feel an illness coming on.
What other causes might contribute to the rapid rise of viruses?
