Virus

Norovirus (formerly Norwalk agent) causes approximately 90% of epidemic nonbacterial outbreaks of gastroenteritis around the world. It may also be responsible for 50% of all foodborne outbreaks of gastroenteritis in the U.S. Norovirus affects people of all ages. The viruses are transmitted by fecally contaminated food or water, by person-to-person contact, via aerosolization of the virus and subsequent contamination of surfaces.

Outbreaks of norovirus infection often occur in closed or semiclosed communities, such as long-term care facilities, overnight camps, hospitals, prisons, dormitories, and cruise ships where the infection spreads rapidly either by person-to-person transmission or through contaminated food. Many norovirus outbreaks have been traced to food that was handled by one infected person.

When a person becomes infected with norovirus, the virus begins to multiply within the small intestine. After approximately one to two days, norovirus symptoms can appear. The principal symptom is acute gastroenteritis that develops between 24 and 48 hours after exposure, and lasts for 24–60 hours. The disease is usually self-limiting (goes away by itself), and is characterized by nausea, forceful vomiting, watery diarrhea, and abdominal pain, and in some cases, loss of taste. General lethargy, weakness, muscle aches, headache, coughs, and low-grade fever may also occur.

Severe illness is rare. Although people are frequently treated at the emergency ward, they are rarely admitted to the hospital. The number of deaths from norovirus in the U.S. is estimated to be around 300 each year, with most of these occurring in the very young, elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems. Symptoms may become life-threatening in these groups if dehydration is ignored or not treated.

It is interesting that individuals with blood type O are more often infected, while blood types B and AB can confer partial protection against symptomatic infection.

Mumps, also known as epidemic parotitis, are caused by the mumps virus. Mumps are a contagious disease that is spread from person to person through contact with respiratory secretions such as saliva from an infected person. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, the droplets aerosolize and can enter the eyes, nose, or mouth of another person. Mumps can also be spread by sharing food and drinks. The virus can also survive on surfaces and then be spread after contact in a similar manner. A person infected with mumps is contagious from approximately 6 days before the onset of symptoms until about 9 days after symptoms start. The incubation period (time until symptoms begin) can be from 14–25 days but is more typically 16–18 days.

Mumps are characterized by Painful swelling of the salivary glands (classically the parotid gland). Diagnosis is generally obtained from that feature alone. Parotid inflammation (or parotitis) occurs in 60–70% of infections and 95% of patients with symptoms. Parotitis causes swelling and local pain, particularly when chewing. It can occur on one side (unilateral), but is more common on both sides (bilateral) in almost 90% of cases.

The Mumps virus can also cause Fever, Headache and Painful testicular swelling (orchitis) and rash. The symptoms are generally not severe in children. In teenage males and men, orchitis complications such as infertility or subfertility are more common, although still rare in absolute terms. The disease is generally self-limiting, running its course before receding with no specific treatment apart from controlling the symptoms and pain.

Other symptoms of mumps can include dry mouth, sore face and/or ears and occasionally in more serious cases, loss of voice. In addition, up to 20% of persons infected with the mumps virus do not show symptoms so it is possible to be infected and spread the virus without knowing it.

Metapneumovirus may be the second most common cause of lower respiratory infection in young children (after the respiratory syncytial virus). Studies have shown that by the age of five, virtually all children have been exposed to the virus and re-infections appear to be common. Human metapneumovirus may cause mild respiratory tract infection. However, small children, elderly and immunocompromised individuals are at risk of severe disease and hospitalization. While there are geographical differences in seasonality and incidence of MPV infection, this virus undoubtedly plays a significant role in respiratory illnesses in the pediatric population. Limited research has been done to determine the incidence of MPV in adult populations even though MPV infection has been well established in high-risk adult populations. These include those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), elderly patients, and immunocompromised patients. MPV has been documented as a significant cause of illness in transplant recipients. Studies have linked MPV with idiopathic pneumonia, fulminant respiratory failure, and high mortality rates in stem cell transplant recipients. Additionally, in one study, MPV was found in 10% of lung transplant recipients with acute respiratory tract infections, similar to the rate of RSV detection. Transplant patients appear to be at significant risk for severe MPV illness.

Measles are an extremely contagious virus infection of the respiratory system caused by the Morbillivirus genus. Measles are spread through respiration (contact with fluids from an infected person's nose and mouth, either directly or through aerosol transmission). 90% of people without immunity sharing living space with an infected person will catch it. An asymptomatic incubation period occurs nine to twelve days from initial exposure and infection lasts from two to four days before until two to five days after the onset of the rash (i.e. four to nine days infectivity in total).

An alternative name for measles in English-speaking countries is rubeola, which is sometimes confused with rubella (German measles). The diseases are unrelated.

The classical symptoms of measles include four-day fevers and the three Cs—cough, coryza (head cold) and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The fever may reach up to 40 °C (104 °F). Koplik's spots seen inside the mouth are diagnostic for measles, but are not often seen, even in real cases of measles because they may disappear within a day of appearing.

The characteristic measles rash is classically described as a generalized, maculopapular, erythematous rash that begins several days after the fever starts. It starts on the head before spreading to cover most of the body, often causing itching. The rash is said to "stain", changing color from red to dark brown before disappearing. The measles rash appears two to four days after initial symptoms and lasts up to eight days.

Complications with measles are relatively common, particularly in adults that catch it. Complications can range from relatively mild diarrhea to pneumonia, Otitis media (inner ear issues), acute encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and corneal (eye) ulceration which leads to corneal scarring.

NOTE: Dr. DeHaan does not believe the MMR vaccine is a healthy choice for healthy children. More >>

Western medicine's terminology for the Flu is Influenza. It is an infectious disease caused by the Influenza viruses. Typically, influenza is transmitted through the air by coughs or sneezes, creating aerosols containing the virus. Influenza can also be transmitted by direct contact with bird droppings, nasal secretions, or by touching contaminated surfaces.

Approximately 33% of people with influenza do not even experience symptoms, yet they carry the virus. Influenza spreads around the world in seasonal epidemics, resulting in three to five million yearly cases of severe illness and about 250,000 to 500,000 yearly deaths. These cases increased to millions in some pandemic years. It can be difficult to distinguish between the common cold and influenza in the early stages of these infections. However, flu can be identified by a sudden onset of high fever/chills and extreme fatigue, with body temperatures ranging from 38-39 °C (approximately 100-103 °F). Many people are so ill that they are confined to bed for several days, with aches and pains throughout their bodies, typically worse in their backs and legs.

Symptoms of influenza may include:

• Fever and extreme coldness (chills shivering, shaking (rigor))
• Cough and/or Nasal congestion
• Body aches, especially joints and throat
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Irritated, watering and red eyes
• Reddened skin (especially face), mouth, throat and nose
• Petechial Rash (generally from excessive coughing or vomiting that causes broken capillary vessels)
• In children, gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal pain, (may be severe in children with influenza B)

COMPLICATIONS: Flu can occasionally lead to pneumonia, either direct viral pneumonia or secondary bacterial pneumonia, even for persons who are usually very healthy. Please note: it is a warning sign if a child (or adult) seems to be getting better and then relapses with a high fever as this relapse may be pneumonia. Another warning sign is if the person starts to have trouble breathing.

The flu vaccine is an option offered by the medical community, but studies show that more people acquire the flu from the vaccine than those who choose not to have it! Administration of the flu vaccine generates a lot of money, so you can imagine why the general public never hears about that. There are natural ways to counteract the flu that have definitely proven more effective than Tamiflu and far more than the toxic vaccine. I strongly discourage participation in the flu vaccine no matter what your age or stage of illness is.

PREVENTION: Assume all influenza, no matter what species it comes from, is contagious. The best prevention is to stay clear of it. But that is difficult since it spreads via aerosols and people can be carrying it and spreading it without actually showing signs of infection! Influenza viruses can be deactivated by sunlight, disinfectants and detergents, although soap and water are quite effective. Clean surfaces with 3% hydrogen peroxide and keep sneezes and coughs covered to prevent sharing your virus. Wash hands often and maintain good hygiene.

TREATMENT: The Flu Relief Remedy is designed to help control the fever, cough and other symptoms common with the flu. Providing Support for the Sinus and Lungs increases the body's ability to fight off the germs, allowing your body's own defenses to work better. The Influenza Detox contains a homeopathic-style detox for every single one of the Influenza strains, all those known to infect humans AS WELL as those not thought to infect humans. That means there is a Detox for the entire Orthomyxovirus collective and it addresses antigenic drift (evolved mutations of the viruses).

If you need additional help, purchase the MMS. Colloidal silver is also a known effective anti-viral. The most effective version, in my opinion, is Silver Shield made by Nature's Sunshine company, specifically because of the 10,000 volts used in the process of making this particular silver formula.

It is estimated that over 90% of Americans have herpes. More than 40,000 new cases of herpes are diagnosed each day in America alone, that is over 15,000,000 new herpes infections per year! The number of people infected with herpes has reached epidemic proportions. The herpes family of viruses includes 8 different viruses that affect human beings. The viruses are known by numbers as human herpes virus 1 through 8 (HHV1 - HHV8).

Human herpes virus 1 (HHV1) is also known as herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1). It is typically the cause of cold sores around the mouth. HHV1 can also lead to infection in the genital area causing genital herpes usually through oral-genital contact, such as after oral sex. HHV1 infections are contagious and are usually spread from skin-to-skin contact with an infected person through small breaks in the skin or mucous membrane. The HHV1 virus is more likely to be spread through things like sharing eating utensils, razors, and towels from a person who has an active lesion.

Human herpes virus 2 (HHV2) is also called herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV2). It typically causes genital herpes, a sexually transmitted infection. However, it can also cause cold sores in the facial area. Similar to HHV1, the HHV2 infection is contagious and is spread by skin-to-skin contact. The main route of transmission is through sexual contact, as the virus does not survive very long outside the body.

Human herpes virus 3 (HHV3) is also called varicella-zoster virus and causes chickenpox. HHV3 can also cause a recurrent virus infection of the skin, which is called herpes zoster or shingles. Shingles occurs when dormant varicella-zoster virus from an initial bout of chickenpox becomes reactivated. The lesions generally appear in a band-like or belt-like pattern occurring on one side of the body and are often accompanied by itching, tingling, or even severe pain. Healing usually occurs in 2 to 4 weeks, but the scars may remain. Postherpetic neuralgia is a complication of shingles where the pain associated with the infection can persist for months and even years. Most people who experience shingles once do not experience it again.

Human herpes virus 4 (HHV4) is also known as the Epstein-Barr virus. It is the major cause of infectious mononucleosis, or "mono" - the "kissing disease." It is a contagious infection and is transmitted through saliva. Coughing, sneezing, or sharing eating utensils with an infected person can pass the virus from one person to another. About half of all five-year-old children and 90 to 95 percent of adults have evidence of previous infection. It is associated with particular forms of cancer, like Hodgin's lymphoma, especially in those with compromised immune systems. There is evidence that infection with the virus is associated with certain autoimmune diseases, especially dermatomyositis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome, and multiple sclerosis.

Human herpes virus 5 (HHV5) is the official name of cytomegalovirus (CMV) and is the cause of mononucleosis. In people with healthy immune systems, the virus may not cause any symptoms. It can be sexually transmitted, can cause problems to newborns, and can cause hepatitis. CMV can be transmitted through sexual contact, breast-feeding, blood transfusions, and organ transplants. CMV infection is one of the most difficult complications of AIDS. Symptoms include diarrhea, severe vision problems including blindness, infections of the stomach and intestines, and even death. For a virus that barely causes a problem in most people with healthy immune systems, it can be incredibly deadly in people with damaged immune systems, such as people with AIDS.

Human herpes virus 6 (HHV6) is a recently observed agent found in the blood cells of a few patients with a variety of diseases. It causes roseola (a viral disease causing high fever and a skin rash in small children) and a variety of other illnesses associated with fever in that age group. This infection accounts for many of the cases of convulsions associated with fever in infancy (febrile seizures).

Human herpes virus 7 (HHV7) is even more recently observed and is closely related to HHV6. Like other human herpes viruses, HHV6 and HHV7 are so common that nearly all humans have been infected at some point, usually early in life. HHV7 can also cause roseola, but it is not clear what other clinical effects that this virus causes.

Human herpes virus 8 (HHV8) was recently discovered in certain tumors called Kaposi's Sarcoma (KS). These tumors are found in people with AIDS and are otherwise very rare. KS forms purplish tumors in the skin and other tissues of some people with AIDS. It is very difficult to treat with medication. HHV8 may also cause other cancers, including certain lymphomas (lymph node cancers) associated with AIDS. The fact that these cancers are caused by a virus may explain why they tend to occur in people with AIDS when their immune systems begin to fail. The discovery also provides new hope that specific treatments for these tumors will be developed to target the virus.