flu Archives - DocMuscles

Before you answer that question let me ask you a question. Did you know that the influenza viral strain has multiple sub-types? The Influenza A viral strain that has 198 different sub-types and influenza B has just as many, meaning there are at least 400+ different strains of Influenza. Oh, did I tell you that we have recently identified Influenza C & D sub-types as well? Yes, this means that there are over 600+ sub-types of influenza.

Herd Immunity

You might be able to immunize the herd if the average age of those in the herd lived for 200 years. Anyone telling you getting your flu shot improves herd immunity doesn’t understand virology. Herd immunity goes out the window with influenza and with most mRNA viruses like coronaviruses.

In order to vaccinate the population against influenza 33%-44% of the population must have immunity to all viral types in a given year. With COVID-19, the estimate is 60-75% must be immunized to all 170+ known strains of coronavirus.

You may have antibodies to one of those flu strains, yet what about the other 400-600 strains you might be exposed to next year? Just because you have antibodies, doesn’t mean you are immune. This applies to Influenza and it applies to coronaviruses.

The influenza vaccine (which only covers 4-5 of the 600+ influenza strains possible). Which one do you pick this year? Hence the CDC cartoon.

Does the Influenza Vaccine Reduce Risk of Hospitalizations?

Over 20 years, the percentage of seniors getting flu shots increased sharply from 15% to 65%. It stands to reason that flu deaths among the elderly should have taken a dramatic dip due to increased flu vaccination each year. And at over 40% of the population being immunized, herd immunity should have been achieved.

Instead, flu deaths among the elderly continued to climb. It was hard to believe, so researchers at the National Institutes of Health set out to do a study adjusting for all kinds of factors that could be masking the true benefits of the shots. But no matter how they crunched the numbers, they got the same disappointing result: flu shots had not reduced deaths among the elderly. It’s not what health officials hoped to find.

The two studies below demonstrate that yearly flu vaccine for those over age 65 does nothing to decrease influenza related death. These studies funded by the government in 2005 and 2006 were suppressed. Your doctor and I never heard anything about them. Yet, the CDC still says “Get your flu shot.”

mRNA Vaccines Increase Risk of Other Viruses

Last, the influenza vaccine actually increases your susceptibility to coronavirus infection. Yes, you read that correctly. A recent study by Wolff demonstrates that influenza vaccinations are not benign. Influenza vaccine increases risk of Coronaviruses by 36%, non-influenza viruses generally by 15%, and human metapneumovirus by 59%.

And, a second study trying to confirm the findings above reveals increased risk of parainfluenza virus in adults (increased by 4.6% of vaccinated adults and only 2.6% of unvaccinated adults.

So, what is the answer? Waiting for the perfect vaccine or an antibody test is not the answer. Anyone telling you this is selling something.

Please be aware, I am NOT an anti-vaccine physician. Vaccines are life saving. But, it is essential that you and I understand the pros and cons of each and every vaccine we use or recommend. I am a huge proponent of most childhood vaccines, pneumonia vaccines and the new shingles vaccine, because they work. The science confirms their effectiveness. The science does not confirm the effectiveness of the influenza vaccines.

What should I do?

We now know that ketogenic diets improve resistance to viral infections by enhancing T-Cell immunity. This is specifically important for influenza and coronaviruses.

The answer is protect yourself. Wash your hands, stay home when you are sick, clean and sterilize frequently touched surfaces. Keep yourself healthy and understand how to reverse hyper-insulinemia (the one factor that makes this and coronaviruses significantly more severe.)

So, wash your hands and pass the bacon!

Oh, and take your vitamins.

I have been seeing a large number of respiratory infections in my office over the last 3 weeks. These appear to be viral infections cause by Enterovirus D68 and have some significant respiratory consequences, especially in children with other lung problems.

Enterovirus Electron Micrograph

EV-D68 is one of more than 100 types of enteroviruses. It was first identified in California in 1962. Since then, EV-D68 infections has not been commonly reported in the United States. There have been very few reports of this virus in the last few years, however, the circulation of specific types of enteroviruses is often quite unpredictable, and different types of enteroviruses can be common in different years with no particular pattern. Most enterovirus infections in the United States tend to occur in the summer and fall. EV-D68, similar to other enteroviruses, is known to cause infections primarily in children but has been known to infect adults.

EV-D68 can shed from an infected person’s respiratory secretions, such as saliva, nasal mucus, or sputum. The virus likely spreads from person to person when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or touches another surface. EV-D68 can cause mild to severe respiratory illness. Most of the children who have become very ill with EV-D68 infection in Missouri and Illinois had difficulty breathing, and some had wheezing. Many of these children had asthma or a history of wheezing.

Although there are no vaccines to prevent EV-D68 infections, clinicians should encourage their patients to follow these prevention steps:

• Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds;

• Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands;

• Avoid kissing, hugging, and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who are sick; and

• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is sick.

Ensure that patients with asthma regularly take prescribed medications and follow guidance to maintain control of their illness. They should also take advantage of influenza vaccine when available, because people with asthma have a difficult time with respiratory illnesses.

Hopefully, you and your family won’t have a problem with this virus this year. Follow the steps above to help prevent its spread and see your doctor if you begin to show signs of serious illness like fever, shortness of breath, persisting cough or worsening flu-like illness that is not improving.