Cytokine StormA cytokine storm is what many scientists believe killed so many people in the 1918 influenza pandemic. This overactive immune reaction is most likely to occur in young, healthy people. What is it? It's not really easy to define accurately what the storm is—because it is extremely complex, and scientists really don't understand how the cytokine reaction actually works. Did you know that the only flu treatment that worked in 1918-19 was homeopathy? It's true, and it's been well documented! Dr. Deborah Baker has written a book, Homeopathic/Herbal Flu Prevention and Cures that, not only includes homeopathic remedies for treatment AND prevention, but also includes dosages, the mystery for most non-professionals. Get started on homeopathic swine flu prevention or treatment today.
Photo Courtesy of Robert Simmons
Here's the short, sweet version. A cytokine storm occurs when you have a novel (new) virus, never circulated before among humans. The virus is also virulent – it causes a strong immune reaction in the body. Here is the sequence of events:
That seems to be why young people who are healthy and strong are the highest risk group. They have the strongest immune systems and that works against them if they are infected with a
flu virus.
that is both novel and virulent.
Danger of an H5N1 and H1N1 MixH5N1 bird flu or avian flu and SARS are novel viruses and they are virulent viruses—both characteristics of the 1918 pandemic influenza. Both elicited cytokine storms.H1N1 swine flu is novel, but not virulent. However, H1N1 swine flu has a characteristic that H5N1 bird flu lacks. The swine flu has the ability to spread very fast and to infect many people. So far, the more severe bird flu has only been able to infect a small number of people because it has not acquired the genetic ability to infect many people, person to person. The WHO (World Health Organization) , CDC and many scientists share the concern that the two viruses will somehow combine forces. Since viruses can change very easily, and they do change quite frequently, any combination is possible. Scientists worry that a
superbug
, a monster virus could develop if H5N1 and H1N1 were to combine. A
pandemic flu virus
that has the ability to infect 1/3 of the world's population and to kill millions.
What Can We Do?The truth is that the scientists and doctors don’t know what to do. They haven’t had enough experience with the avian flu, SARS and cytokine storms to know what works, and they haven’t been able to develop vaccines yet to prevent these new viruses.That leaves us with our only option—to do the best that we can using what we do know. At the same time, we need to stay abreast of any new developments. If you suspect that a family member is in danger of a cytokine reaction, make sure you get in touch with your doctor immediately!
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