VIRAL DISEASES

* Colds
* Epstein Barr Virus
* Flu
* Hepatitis
* Herpes Simplex & Genital Herpes
* Shingles

Viruses are the smallest of parasites; they are completely dependent on cells (bacterial, plant or animal) to reproduce. Viruses are composed of an outer cover or protein and sometimes lipid, and a nucleic acid core of RNA or DNA. In many cases, this core penetrates susceptible cells and initiates the infection.

Viruses range from 0.02 to 0.3µ; too small for light microscopy but visible using electron microscopy. Viruses can be identified by biophysical and biochemical methods. Like most other parasites, viruses stimulate host antibody production.

Several hundred different viruses infect humans. Because many have been only recently recognized, their clinical effects are not fully understood. Many viruses infect hosts without producing symptoms; nevertheless, because of their wide and sometimes universal prevalence, they create important medical and public health problems.

Viruses that primarily infect humans are spread mainly via respiratory and enteric excretions. These viruses are found worldwide, but their spread is limited by inborn resistance, prior immunizing infections or vaccines, sanitary and other public health control measures, and prophylactic antiviral drugs.

Zoonotic viruses pursue their biologic cycles chiefly in animals; humans are secondary or accidental hosts. These viruses are limited to areas and environments able to support their nonhuman natural cycles of infection (vertebrates or arthropods or both).

Some viruses have oncogenic properties. Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (a retrovirus) is associated with human leukemia and lymphoma. Epstein-Barr virus has been associated with malignancies such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Burkitt's lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, and lymphomas in immuno-suppressed organ transplant recipients. Kaposi's sarcoma-associated virus is associated with Kaposi's sarcomea, primary effusion lymphomas, and Castleman's disease (a lympho-proliferative disorder).

Slow viral diseases are characterized by prolonged incubations and cause some chronic degenerative diseases, including subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (measles virus), progressive rubella panencephalitis, progressive multifocal leukoencophalopathy (JC virus), and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (a prion disease).

Latency - a quiescent infection by a virus - permits recurrent infection despite immune responses and facilitates person-to-person spread. Herpes viruses exhibit latency. Oil of Oregano and Olive Leaf extract are two excellent natural remedies for genital herpes and herpes simplex.

Only a few viral diseases can be diagnosed clinically or epidemiologically (e.g., be well-known viral syndromes). Dianosis usually requires testing. Serologic examination during acute and convalescent stages is sensitive and specific but slow; more rapid diagnosis can sometimes be made using culture, polymerase chain reaction, or viral antigen tests. Histopatholoogy can sometimes be helpful.

Conventional medicine utilizes vaccines for active immunity against influenza, measles, mumps, poliomyelitis, rabies, rubella, hepatitis A., hepatitis B, varicella, and yellow fever. An effective adenovirus vaccine is available but is used only in high-risk groups, such as military recruits. Immunoglobulins are also available for passive immune prophylaxis.

Therapeutic or prophylactic drugs against some viruses are available: amantadine or rimantadine for influenza A; acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir for herpes simplex or varicella-zoster infections; ganciclovir, foscarnet, and cidofovir for cytomegalovirus infections; and reverse transcriptase inhibitors, protease inhibitors, and others for HIV. Currently, the use of interferon is limited to hepatitis B and C and human papillomavirus.

Exciting research has shown that two microorganisms found in the soil B. Subtilis and B. Lichenformis produce surfactants that are capable of destroying lipid-enveloped viruses such as HHV-6, other members of the herpes family, and many other types of viruses. HSOs are believed to stimulate the body to produce up to 16 types of alpha-interferon, all of which are capable of reducing the viral load of the body.

Natural Remedies for Viral Diseases
Vitalzym
RM-10
Olive Leaf Extract
Primal Defense
Perfect Food
Super Seed
Multi Cleanse