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Show Page 12 THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Volume V, Issue IV December 1, 2001 How Dangerous is Anthrax and its Treatments? Dr. Lewis D. Harper With the recent hysteria over the various Anthrax outbreaks, I thought it would be good to talk about this microbe and the different treatments being used to prevent infection. Anthrax is a regularly occurring bacterium found in the environment. Anthrax is gram-positive bacterium, which means that the cell itself is harmless. The only way that an Anthrax cell can attack tissue is by producing a special toxin, which is excreted as a waste product from the cell. One cell does not produce enough toxins to start an infection. In one study it was found that wool sorters inhale anthrax spores continually (150-700 per hour) and only if they get a large dose (10,000) will an infection begin. Some of the common symptoms associated with anthrax infection can be classified into the two most common types of infection. The first is skin infection. The initial symptoms include red-brown bumps on the skin that enlarge with swelling, inflammation and redness. This can eventually turn into ulceration sores on the skin. The second type and most dangerous is the pulmonary or lung infection. The initial presentation of this type of infection is very similar to the flu including fever, chills, achiness, and weakness. The fever tends to increase in a few days. Progression includes labored breathing, which leads to shock and eventually coma. Anthrax, though resistant to heat and dryness, is very vulnerable to rain and other forms of moisture. Other substances that weaken the spores include humidity, ultraviolet light and oxygen. Regular washing of hands and other exposed skin can decrease the chance of infection. But how dangerous is anthrax? A report from the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Health and Science section stated, “A comparison of deaths from anthrax for the prior two weeks vs. deaths from selected other causes for an average two-week period found: Smoking related deaths numbered at 15,385, Prescription Drug Errors 269, and Anthrax 1.” The most common treatment of anthrax infection today comes from the drug called CIPRO. CIPRO is a fluorinated antibiotic made by the German company Bayer. Not long ago other fluorinated drugs were withdrawn from the market because they caused severe liver and kidney damage and even deaths. In August of 2000, the FDA approved CIPRO for the treatment of anthrax in humans. However, two months later in October of 2000, it asked Bayer to remove BAYTRIL, which is the equivalent of CIPRO for the treatment of animals, due to adverse reactions. Robert Mendelsohn, MD had a rule: “You never hear about the dangers of any drug unless another drug to replace it is available.” Now it has been found that the Supreme Court Justices were not given CIPRO to take after anthrax spores were found, but were given doxycycline “because doxycycline has fewer side effects and is equally effective” (The Sunday Oregonian Oct 28, 2001 p.1). So what are the side effects associated with CIPRO? Due to fluoride toxicity, there is nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain. But this is just the beginning, there is also other side effects including abnormal dread or fear, achiness, bleeding in the stomach, blood clots in the lungs, blurred vision, change in color perception, chills, confusion, constipation, convulsions, coughing up blood, decreased vision, depression, difficulty in swallowing, dizziness, double vision, drowsiness, eye pain, fainting, fever, flushing, gas gout flare up, hallucinations, hearing loss, heart attack, hiccups, high blood pressure, hives, inability to fall or stay asleep, inability to urinate, indigestion, intestinal inflammation, involuntary eye movement, irregular heartbeat, irritability, itching, joint or back pain, joint stiffness, kidney failure, labored breathing, lack of muscle coordination, lack of or loss of appetite, loss of sense of smell, mouth sores, neck pain, nightmares, nosebleeds, skin peeling, redness, speech difficulties, swelling of the face, neck lips, eyes or hands, swelling of the throat, red bumps on the skin, tingling sensations, tremors, weakness, yellowed eyes and skin. According to a Washington Post report, the use of CIPRO is likely to threaten the health of far more people than any anthrax attack. The report says 7.3 percent of CIPRO users can expect to experience side effects following the ingestion of just one tablet. (Gillis J, Connolly C, Emphasis on CIPRO Worries Officials, Washington Post, Oct. 19, 2001, p. A17.) Who will get the blame over the next few years of people getting sick or even dying from these side effects, Anthrax or CIPRO? Natural Antibiotics to the Rescue! A growing body of scientific evidence confirms that natural herbs and spices exhibit antibiotic properties that are equivalent if not superior to drugs. For example, garlic is capable to eradicating vancomycin-resistant enterococci bacteria, a germ that is a growing cause of deaths in hospitals. A broth of 2% garlic juice has been shown to completely eradicate ampicillin-resistant E. coli. Oil of oregano was recently tested against drug-resistant Staphylococcus bacteria and was found to be equally effective as streptomycin, penicillin and vancomycin. Not only do these herbal antibiotics work, the do not induce germ resistance. A study conducted at Cornell University fond that spices such as garlic, oil of oregano, onion and allspice killed every bacterium tested, even anthrax. “Therapeutic grade essential oils are proving to be the most strategic defense weapon for biological, chemical or germ warfare! They fortify your immune, nervous and respiratory systems against mutating viruses and superbugs. They are 50 times more potent than dried herbs and transmit a powerful electrical frequency to help weaken deadly substances.” David Peterson, NP Rx Family Medicine Last but not least regular chiropractic adjustments have been shown to not only benefit the nervous system, but also has been shown to boost the immune system and keep it functioning at its optimal level. With the threat of Anthrax running wild in the United States, there are natural and effective ways to boost your immune system, remain healthy and prevent infection without unwanted side effects of manmade medications. Eden ‘A’ District Meeting Called The Eden “A” District has scheduled an organization meeting for all family heads on Thursday, November 29, at 7:00 p.m. District Leader Maureen Peterson has offered her home, located at 1965 N. 5700 E. in Eden for the meeting. Other CERT leaders will also attend for a full discussion. If you live in Eden, east of Highway 162 (past Wayne Pack’s home and on to the Maverick), you are invited to attend. Refreshments will be served. If you have questions call Maureen Peterson, 745-2656; Chuck Millet, 745-0951; or Brad Nelson, 745-4328. |