Well, its here! The Ebola virus has just made its way onto American soil for the first time. I know many are concerned, and perhaps there is reason to be, but I think it is going to be ok. I am a fan of Samaritan’s purse, though I don’t give to them regularly, I have in the past and will again. I think their overall effort is noble.
However, I am a stickler for the specifics of charitable giving. I don’t want to support the efforts that I philosophically am opposed to. For example, I believe the rampant use of vaccines is dangerous. Perhaps there are good times, and cases. But if you put deep thought into every decision, I guarantee you would agree with me on the vaccines. But it is easier to simply trust the masses than to oppose until trust is earned… nonetheless, I digress. So back to the Ebola.
The doctor who arrived on Saturday, Dr. Kent Bradly, on the left, was working
with patients who were fighting Ebola virus in themselves, when he contracted the virus. Nancy Writebol on the right also worked alongside these patients in West Africa. This outbreak has killed 700 in 2014 in this region of the world, as well as infecting a total of 1300 people. Ebola is bad.
How bad – according to Wikipedia, between 50 and 90% of those infected, die. As with any virus, there is no specific treatment. Anti-viral agents can be given that are designed to slow RNA replication (transcribing DNA from one cell to the next). But these often are unable to do much damage to a growing virus, without also damaging the person, so they tend to be ineffective against highly proliferative viruses such as this.
The hemorrhaging that occurs internally is the cause of death in most; as bleeding disorders become rampant as the virus spreads. What I like about the article in Wikipedia, is that it spells truth. They recommend treatment with IV fluids and re-hydration. Meaning – there is no other treatment, but supporting the natural process of the body. WHICH stands to reason, supporting it MORE would be better, and that starts now, with decisions. Where did you eat in the last three days, and what did you eat? Is your Atlas putting a subtle tension on your brain stem, reducing your immune response. Are you over tired?
Of course – Efforts are ongoing to develop a vaccine; however, none yet exists.[1]
Would I recommend this vaccine, for such a horrible disease with such a high mortality rate? Well, I’d have to read about it first. But its doubtful. Even if we stopped and said, “But think of all the people who died because of this disease who could have been saved!”
You see, my response would be, “think about the number of people who right now, before their is a vaccine, have the opportunity to improve their immune systems so that they can be safe, and not die, and be saved. If the cure already exists, then we don’t need another one.”
I don’t want to be over confident. I am not saying that healthy living and getting adjusted will protect everyone from Ebola. But I am not so foolish to think that a vaccine could either. This year it has been estimated that up to 95% of children who have received the pertussis vaccine, are part of the outbreak. I like the approach of this activist, because it mirrors mine. His article simply points at the reality that this disease was nearly gone before the vaccine ever came, and now in the midst of the greatest percentage of vaccinated population that has ever walked the face of the earth, an outbreak forms.
You see, even though there are people who are making stands against vaccines, the vaccine is actually still reaching a higher percentage of the total population this year, than the year before, and the year before that. So the reality is, that even though there is this growing number of dissenting opponents. There are more who are getting the vaccine for the first time ever. Seems to make sense that we would all be better off then. Bigger herd, greater immunity.
So, in the face of Ebola coming to our city, I would recommend that you take your health choices seriously. Build health now while you can, and forget about the hope of a vaccine. Maybe one of value will come, but I bet you’ll see some push for some kind of drug, even if it isn’t effective. Avian flu ring a bell?
Be well, Be wise, and Be Blessed! – Dr. E