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Originally published in the Fall 2009 Fisique newsletter.
I'm hoping that most people on this distribution list haven't been frightened by the media's coverage of the (A)H1N1 (swine) flu, but you almost certainly know people who have. The amount of fear generated by this campaign has been enormous and my goal is to dispel those fears.
For those who are still worried or who are looking for extra protection, I am always offering the flu homeoprophylaxis, a safe (oral) alternative to the flu shot at no charge. I stock both the avian and swine flu isodes. If you're wondering whether homeoprophylaxis works, check out this recent monumental success in Cuba.
Strive to inform yourself by considering the following and doing some of your own research.
- Pandemic and Scale
- Vaccine Efficacy and Safety
- Strain Origins
- Learning from 1976
- A Deeper Perspective
- Staying Healthy
- References
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a pandemic. This seems like an awfully scary word, until you consider what it actually means: the virus is capable of human-to-human transmission on a widespread geographical basis. This is no different from the average seasonal bugs to which we fall prey.
As of August 30 2009, there were 2837 laboratory-confirmed H1N1 deaths worldwide.1 To put this in perspective, Canada alone averages 4000 influenza deaths per year.2 The WHO reports that the overwhelming majority of cases in the southern hemisphere continues to be mild. 3 We are told to fear the "second wave" this winter yet the northern hemisphere has already been exposed to H1N1. Our natural immunity will likely further reduce the severity.
US Congressman Ron Paul compares the above number to the 13,000 deaths from tuberculosis last year, up from 6000 in 2006.4 We rarely hear about the diseases that kill thousands of people worldwide on a daily basis. The consequences and severity of the flu don't warrant the panic, let alone the funds governments and companies are spending on pandemic plans and unproven, potentially mandatory vaccines.
One of the doctors I study with refers to society's heralding of vaccines as vaccination religion. It would be more amusing if there wasn't so much truth in his mockery. Unfortunately, most people blindly believe in vaccines, without doing any real research in their efficacy. For general commentary of vaccination, please refer to the links provided on my website and some of my previously published articles, such as the HPV Gardasil and flu shot essays.
At least two manufacturers (Novartis, GlaxoSmithKline5) are using squalene as an alternative to thimerosal as an adjuvant, or immune stimulant. At first glance, this seems great. Squalene is an oil found in our nervous system and brain and is regularly consumed in foods. It's even a beneficial antioxidant!
One of the problems with traditional vaccines is that they bypass the body's first immune system (IgA). The mucous membranes of our respiratory and digestive systems are normally the first to ward off attackers. Injected vaccines bypass this IgA system since they are injected directly into the blood stream. This triggers a much deeper immune response.
Some studies have found that the consequences of using squalene as an injected adjuvant are horrifying. In rats, the response is "chronic, immune-mediated joint-specific inflammation". But didn't we say that it's already commonly found in our body and essential to the proper functioning of our nervous system? That's correct, but the injection can prompt the body to identify squalene as a poison. In turn, the body tries to destroy it wherever it can be found. The result is symptoms similar to rheumatoid arthritis, an auto-immune condition.6 The research on squalene is contradictory but it is safe to say that we do not yet know the long-term consequences of using it in vaccines.
Many Gulf War veterans, now suffering from the Gulf War Syndrome, (a host of autoimmune conditions) were injected with an anthrax vaccine containing the squalene adjuvant.6
I don't know about you but the actual dangers and consequences of H1N1 are looking awfully good to me in comparison to the vaccine. It is important to note that GlaxoSmithKline is the Canadian H1N1 manufacturer, Canadians won't be escaping the dangers of squalene.7 Recent news reports that an unadjuvanted version of the vaccine may be available for pregnant women.8
Without second thought, it's easy to assume that the feared H1N1 influenza strain is a result of natural mutation. However, some scientists are questioning this possibility. Adrian Gibbs, an Australian researcher who helped develop Tamiflu, examined H1N1's genetic blueprint and concluded that none of the 8 genes originated in North America, only 2 were linked to swine in Eurasia. All 8 of the genes were found to have mutated three times faster than they normally should under natural circumstances.9
The most obvious explanation is that the virus may have escaped from a vaccine laboratory, though Gibbs is first to say that other possibilities exist. The CDC has refuted Gibbs' claims.
Lab escapes are (hopefully) not common but they are possible. Recently, pharmaceutical Baxter was under investigation for distributing the avian flu virus to 18 countries with its vaccine shipment. In the end, Baxter claimed that it was the result of human error.10
The last swine flu panic brings us back to 1976. The government embarked on a massive vaccination campaign. In the end, the pandemic never materialized and hundreds of people suffered from the paralyzing Guillain-Barre Syndrome. 25 people died from the vaccine. The epidemic, let alone a pandemic, never developed.11
My fear in these situations is never the virus, but society's response to it and the policy changes that follow. Rapid quarantining and mandatory treatment may be required during these so-called emergencies.12 This is a slippery slope against our freedoms. My research and clinical experience have showed again and again that vaccination is harmful, let alone the impossibility of manufacturing a vaccine ahead of the natural mutation cycle.
According to my homeopathic and wholistic training, colds and flus are almost always the result of emotional stress. Usually, the unpleasant symptoms appear once the grief and/or fear are resolving. It's imperative that we take a bit of time out for self-care under these circumstances and illness forces us to do this. Consider perhaps that a few days of occasional inconvenience are much better than a chronic condition resulting from years of suppression.
There's no greater threat to the immune system than fear. Practice strong self-care and stay informed!
Prevention comes down to basics:
- during the winter, be sure to optimize your vitamin D levels
- avoid junk food and processed foods as much as possible, they can weaken immune response
- consume healthy fats, especially omega 3, and consider a foundation of daily greens and minerals
- eat lots of garlic or supplement it, it acts as a natural broad-spectrum antibiotic
- exercise regularly, this can be as simple as a brisk walk
- practice stress management, be it through the help of homeopathic remedies, meditation, or self-care that works for you
- Wash your hands regularly with normal soap, not antibacterial formulas
- Avoid conventional vaccines
- use homeoprophylaxis if you're still worried or would like to protect immune-compromised family members
(1) "Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 - update 64" World Health Organization, Global Outbreak and Response - Disease Outbreak News: September 4, 2009.
(2) "Influenza Immunization" Public Health Agency of Canada: October 5, 2007.
(3) "Preparing for the second wave: lessons from current outbreaks" World Health Organization, Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 briefing note 9, August 28, 2009.
(5) Paul, Ron. "Congressman Paul on the Recent Swine Flu Scare", April 27, 2009.
(6) "GlaxoSmithKline update: A (H1N1) influenza vaccine development" GlaxoSmithKline, Press Release: May 15, 2009. (reference to AS03)
(7) Mercola, Joseph, Dr. "Squalene: The Swine Flu VaccineÕs Dirty Little Secret Exposed", August 4, 2009.
(8) "Vaccine Development Process" Public Health Agency of Canada, H1N1 flu virus (human swine flu): June 11, 2009.
(9) Branswell, Helen. "Canada to offer different swine flu vaccine for pregnant women" Toronto Star, September 4, 2009.
(10) "Adrian Gibbs - Bloomberg Interview", May 13, 2009.
(11) Mercola, Joseph, Dr. "Swine Flu May Be a Human Error From Vaccine Production", May 28, 2009.
(12) Mercola, Joseph, Dr. "Major Expose on Swine Flu by 60 Minutes", July 16, 2009.
(13) "WHO 'recommends' global mandatory vaccination, Canada prepares", CV News, August 14, 2009.
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