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Rebecca Aldag

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Thoughts on Recent Paper; Infectious Virus in Exhaled Breath of Symptomatic Influenza Cases…

by Rebecca Aldag, MBA, MS, CNS

The headlines in a recent social media post caught my attention, and I immediately dug through the post to get more details.  Yes, this was the conclusion of a recent study by researchers at the University of Maryland, College Park, MD, published in the proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, January, 18, 2018 ahead of print.

Yes, it’s a valid study, not hearsay, and not based on fake news.  I read the study three times, and found it to be solid.  Let me explain the findings in this very relevant research.

Currently, we know little about how much of the influenza virus is shed in the breath, and how infectious this may be, if at all.  This study concluded that, neither sneezing nor coughing, is important in the aerosolization of the influenza virus, in infected individuals.  The breath alone, or simply the act of exhaling, emits a significant amount of influenza viral particles, contained in the aerosol created by the breath. The study goes on to say that the breath aerosol of influenza infected persons, who had been vaccinated that current year and the year prior, contains 6.3 times the amount of the shedded virus!  Let me say that another way.  Individuals who were actively infected with the influenza virus, and who had been vaccinated that year and the previous year, were found to shed 6.3 times the number of viral particles in the breath, as individuals who were actively infected, and had not been vaccinated for the influenza virus.  What I believe is implied here, is that vaccinated individuals, especially those who vaccinate every year, have the potential to transmit a much higher amount of the influenza virus, than someone who has not been vaccinated.

This needs to be further studied, in order to better understand the mechanism for transmission of such a highly infective virus.  I think most of us were under the impression, it was a sneeze or cough that was more likely to transmit the virus.

If you would like to read the paper, go to www.pnas.org and search “Infectious virus in exhaled breath of symptomatic seasonal influenza cases from a college community”.

I’m not writing this to elicit a debate on whether we should, or should not vaccinate.  Rather, I wish to explore if implementation of other measures, may act to significantly reduce the transmission of the influenza infection.  Here are two that I propose:

  1. An infected person, or one who feels they are coming down with a cold, SHOULD NOT GO OUT IN PUBLIC!  This means, no school, no work, no events, no shopping, and anywhere else that larger numbers of people would be present.  
  2. When infected, put on a mask.  Masks should be readily available in public places, (just as we see hand sanitizer and wipes).  This is specifically for the sick individual who ventures into a public place, and for the elderly, young or immunocompromised, where getting sick could be life threatening.

I understand the implications of not going into work when one is sick.  When I worked in corporate America, I was told by my manager, that unless I was in the hospital, I was to report to work.  Thus, I went to work with an active case of strep throat, and numerous other upper respiratory ailments (I was young at the time, I would not do that now).  We have much greater control over choosing to put on a mask when sick.  I traveled to Japan years ago, and observed people on the streets, riding bikes and in the stores, wearing a mask because they were sick!  We put on a mask at the doctor’s office. Why not make it standard and customary to do so in every public place, if one is sick?  I am so curious how these two actions would effect the transmission rate of infectious respiratory viruses, such as influenza.  My guess is it would have immediate and significant impact.

So there you have it.  My take on an eye opening study.

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Stay Healthy Now; 10 Tips to Boost Your Immune System

  1. Get 7 1/2 to 9 hours of sleep per night. Be sure to dim the lights and avoid bluelight devices at least an hour before bedtime to encourage melatonin secretion (our sleep hormone).
  2. Drink 1/2 your body weight in fluid ounces of non-caffeinated beverages, preferably water per day.  We are about 67-70% water and our body needs it to function properly.
  3. Consume fresh vegetables and some fruit on a daily basis.  Plants are full of phytonutrients that support our immune system.
  4. Avoid sugar and processed foods.  These foods are inflammatory, and will distract our immune system from killing off pathogens.
  5. Minimize excess caffeine and alcohol.  Too much caffeine puts undo stress on our body.  The metabolites of alcohol are toxic, and require valuable resources to eliminate.
  6. Manage stress.  Stress, especially chronic, creates inflammation in the body and impairs our immune system.  Check out the Inner Balance system at www.heartmath.com for tools to help with managing stress.
  7. Don’t overschedule yourself and family.  Overscheduling leads to stress, anxiety and lack of sleep.  Follow nature’s example in winter; allow for quiet and stillness within your day.
  8. Move your body daily, whether through exercise or a brisk walk in the cold.  Movement helps the lymph system detoxify, and get rid of waste products.  Mild to moderate exercise has also been shown to boost the immune system. Do not over exercise, this is taxing to the immune system!
  9. Take a minimum of 2,000 IU of Vitamin D3 per day. You may need more if you are testing low (below 40 ng/dl).  I carry a wonderful liquid Vitamin D3 that tastes great, and can be given to children.
  10. Take a high quality probiotic, and/or eat fermented foods daily.  About 80% of your immune system resides in the gut tissue.  A healthy microbiome will support a healthy immune system.

BONUS TIP:  WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY! We may have forgotten this little nugget from childhood.  Washing your hands has been proven effective at reducing pathogens.  You do not need an antimicrobial soap.  It is the mechanical action of washing (sing Happy Birthday, so you do it long enough), that removes germs.  Do this immediately after being in a public place, such as the grocery store or gym.

Discover 10 Ways to Stop Weight Gain During the Holidays (And Still Have Fun at Parties!)

By Rebecca Aldag

  1. Be mindful of portions.  That second helping or second dessert, most likely adds up to a lot more carbohydrates and more sugar. Carbs and sugar create inflammation. This in turn, may cause weight gain, and prevent weight loss.
  2. Choose protein. Carbohydrates and sugar can trigger cravings.  Protein tends to halt cravings.
  3. Looking for a great drink option? Bitters on the rocks with seltzer, and a squeeze of lime is refreshing and helps support digestion. Bitters contain digestive herbs!
  4. Another great beverage choice is seltzer water with ice, sweetened with flavored stevia. Stevia is a delicious, all natural sweetener. It contains zero calories, has no effect on blood sugar, and is purported to halt cravings. Try grape, root beer, orange and cola flavored stevia. Purchase online or if local, Woodman’s Grocery Store.
  5. Go for the low carbohydrate snack combos; salsa and veggies, hummus and veggies, or a handful of crunchy nuts.
  6. Substitute a protein powder shake for your regular breakfast.  Look for a high quality pea protein powder, or grass fed whey powder.  Blend with 1/2 cup frozen fruit, 1/2 avocado, leafy greens, and a dairy alternative (coconut milk, almond, cashew, hemp…).  Chocolate protein powder with frozen organic cherries (Costco) is delicious!
  7. Hydrate by drinking plenty of water.  Aim for  1/2 your body weight in fluid ounces.
  8. Get outside for a minimum of 20 minutes per day and move.  Try walking during lunch or after work.
  9. Strength train!  Muscle burns more calories at rest than fat. Defined muscular arms look great in sleeveless dresses, and the added muscle tissue helps to manage insulin levels.  Research is finding that keeping insulin levels in check, may be the key to preventing serious and chronic disease states.
  10. Manage your stress! Stress is another culprit leading to inflammation and chronic disease, and we already know from Tip #1 that inflammation also leads to weight gain, and may prevent weight loss.  Pick and choose holiday invites that are truly enjoyable to you. Schedule time to relax, read a book, listen to music, or watch the snow fall!

Trying out just a few of these ideas during the holidays, may lead to a new way of doing things next year.  You may not require those New Years’ resolutions after all!