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Ebola: Can a Strong Immune System Protect You?

By Expert HERWriter
 
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Ebola: Can a Stronger Immune System Protect You? David Castillo Dominici/PhotoSpin

The Ebola virus has been all over the news in the last few weeks. It was once a rare disease, but this year it's had the largest number of fatalities in history, affecting multiple countries in West Africa.

On September 30th, 2014 the first case was reported in the United States. This case had been transported by a traveler who flew from West Africa to Dallas, Texas.

Ebola is spread like many other viruses, through direct contact with blood or other fluid secretions from the body like mucus, sweat or saliva. It is transferred through mucous membranes or broken skin. It can also be passed through contaminated clothes or bedding.

A person may experience symptoms similar to other viruses like fever, headache, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, muscle pain or unexplained bleeding or bruising.

These symptoms generally appear eight to 10 days after exposure but could occur anywhere from two to 21 days after exposure. Humans are not considered to be infected until they show signs of the disease.

The stories are so scary because there is no one single treatment that has been proven effective against Ebola. There have been some basic interventions that, when given early, improve the chances of recovery.

Patients are given intravenous fluid that include electrolytes. They are monitored for maintain blood pressure and appropriate oxygen status. They are treated for any other infections.

One of the most important factors related to recovery is the patient’s immune system. A patient with a strong immune system has a stronger chance of recovering if the infection is caught early.

Once a patient has the Ebola virus their body will develop antibodies, and their immune system will circulate them for approximately 10 years.

Boosting the immune system is always a good idea. If you want to do something to protect yourself, there are a few things that do consider.

When you get enough rest, eat a healthy whole food diet, and exercise regularly, you are supporting your immune system. This will reduce your risk of having a compromised immune system.

A strong immune system won’t prevent you from getting Ebola. But, along with early detection and the treatments mentioned above, it can increase your chances of recovery in the event of catching the virus.

Whenever there is a new outbreak, the news will cover it. There might be some scary moments where you're wondering how to protect yourself.

It is important to stay calm and do what you can to support your immune system to the fullest. It is a way that you can feel empowered when you are not sure what to do.

Live Vibrantly,

Dr. Dae

Dr. Dae's website: www.healthydaes.com

Dr. Dae's book: Daelicious! Recipes for Vibrant Living can be purchased @ www.healthydaes.com

Dr. Dae's Bio:
Dr. Daemon Jones is your diabetes reversal, hormones, metabolism and weight loss expert. Dr. Dae is a naturopathic doctor who treats patients all over the country using Skype and phone visits. Visit her or schedule a free consultation at her website www.HealthyDaes.com

Sources:

"Ebola virus disease." WHO. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Sept. 2014.
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs103/en

"Treatment." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 19 Sept. 2014. Web. 29 Sept. 2014.
http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/treatment

Reviewed October 2, 2014
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith

Add a Comment3 Comments

EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Vitamin C plays an important role in supporting your immune system and help your body fight the infection. Other fruits rich in vitamin C are kiwi, red and green peppers, grapefruits, and others. Although the fruits mentioned can help in improving your immune system, exercise is also a vital aspect in boosting your health. That's why you need to have a proper workout and should not overdo it. For a total wellness and protection, i take deer antler velvet supplements from http://www.kinglyvelvet.com which can help, but it is advisable to see your doctor first to know what's best for you.

October 29, 2014 - 2:27am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

A paper titled “Role of Natural Killer Cells in Innate Protection against Lethal Ebola Virus Infection” published in 2004 in The Journal of Experimental Medicine Volume 200, Number 2, July 19, 2004 169–179 [http://www.jem.org/cgi/doi/10.1084/jem.20032141] written by Kelly L. Warfield [United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases], Jeremy G. Perkins [Department of Hematology and Oncology, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington DC 20307], Dana L. Swenson [United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases], Emily M. Deal [United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases], Catharine M. Bosio [Clinical Research Management], M. Javad Aman [Clinical Research Management], Wayne M. Yokoyama [Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Rhuematology Division, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110], Howard A. Young [Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702] and Sina Bavari [United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases] stated in its abstract that “These findings revealed a decisive role for NK cells during lethal Ebola virus infection” and the principle is the inhibiting of the replication of the virus within the human body.
We have to do whatever we can to stop new cases of infection. This can be achieved by both the activation and strengthening of the NK Cells within the human body so that the immune system can fight the virus. Like the method that Field Marshal Erwin Rommel opined for defeating the Allies during the Second World War, the time to defeat the invasion force was when it first hit the beaches. To that end he worked to have the strongest units stationed along the coastline and built coastal batteries and strong points, augmented by thousands of anti-invasion obstacles and millions of mines.
We, today, have to do something similar for the human body. We have to augment our innate immune systems to be battle ready for the Ebola Virus. After all, if the Ebola Virus is unable to replicate itself effectively, it will not cause any visible symptoms in the infected person and with time, the person’s immune system will kill the Ebola virus.

The paper stated that “The identification of NK cells as critical mediators of early protection against Ebola virus infection are an important step forward in the identification of prophylactic and therapeutic interventions against filovirus and other incapacitating acute viral infections.” A prophylactic intervention will prevent the spread of the disease. We need to do much more in this regard.
The pertinent question is “Why are the health authorities not addressing the issue of immunity?”. The orthodox medical system has got no answer for solving immunity problems. Synthetic or chemical drugs have never been proven to boost immune system. Natural products are capable of doing this but since they are not drugs, they are not acceptable in the system.
I think emphasis should be shifted to seriously looking for natural products that have scientific evidence backing for immune boosting and make it them available to contain the epidemic that we are currently witnessing.
The development of vaccine would take a very long time and whole nations could have been wiped off before the approval of such vaccines for use by the regulatory bodies.

October 14, 2014 - 8:08am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

yes vitamin c is important for all viruses! and you cant get it just from oranges, we are talking needing thousands of milligrams a day when you have a virus. it is such an obvious thing to do, we take it for colds and flus, it helps the immune system. it is good for all viruses, in a bad virus, we need to increase the vitamin c. you can even get vitamin c in an IV if only you can get an doctor to do so....! its a natural antiviral and immune booster! also, astragulus is a good herb for the immune system as well as vitamin d, make sure your vitamin d level is in the high normal range

October 8, 2014 - 9:20am
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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.

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