First off, let’s get one thing straight – the line between viral and endemic illnesses can be a bit blurry. For instance, who infects whom in the spread of chickenpox? Although we think of chickenpox as a viral illness, it also becomes an issue of endemicity when it affects newborns. Additionally, some viral illnesses, like measles, can linger in the community for some time after the initial infection, causing further issues of endemicity.
So, what is endemic? Endemic means “existing or occurring throughout a region or country”. In other words, a disease or condition is widespread throughout a defined area. Think of the plague. The bubonic plague and the black plague are both considered endemics because they spread rapidly among the general population. Of course, there are also plenty of non-endemic examples, like the common cold. Even though it spreads easily among the general public, there is no specific location where it is found in great abundance. This is important to keep in mind when you are trying to pinpoint the significance of a particular illness or condition.
What is Line 10?
When we talk about the flu, we are usually referring to influenza, or the flu as it is often called. Every year, the flu wreaks havoc upon the health of people all over the world. According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention), it is the leading cause of death from a contagious disease. The numbers are staggering. Between the months of October and December, the flu affects about 10% of the U.S. population, causing millions of cases of illness and up to half a million deaths each year. While it’s not uncommon for people to die from the flu, cases of survivors are on the rise. According to research, there are three factors behind this resurgence:
1. Modern Medicine
With the help of modern medicine, doctors are able to diagnose and treat most cases of the flu. It used to be that people had to self-diagnose and treat themselves with natural remedies and home remedies, like echinacea, elderberry, and ginger. While these natural remedies have proven themselves over the years, modern medicine is still preferable for treating the flu, particularly in high risk groups. The main reason behind this is that in some cases, alternative remedies can interfere with the effectiveness of some medications. For instance, if you are on blood thinning medication (such as aspirin or warfarin) and you develop a fever from the flu, you should consult with your doctor before taking anything else, especially if you have other underlying health conditions.
2. Seasonality
The flu is mostly prevalent during the winter months, which makes sense considering that it’s warm season for bacteria and viruses. However, this is not always the case. In fact, it has been known to spread around the year with no particular season. This is because there is some evidence to suggest that it’s not always the bacteria or virus that cause the flu. Sometimes, it’s toxins that the body creates in response to the bug itself. In these cases, the flu spreads like wildfire, becoming a seasonal epidemic during times of the year when the body is most vulnerable to infection. Scientists are still investigating this phenomena but, as of now, this appears to be a theory that is gaining popularity among the medical community. Regardless of the cause, the fact remains that the flu is most common in the winter and that climate change is likely responsible for making these epidemic seasons longer and more severe. In other words, there is a direct link between our warming planet and the increasing number of cases of the flu that we are seeing throughout the year. It’s time to get proactive and protect your health before this becomes an issue of pandemic proportions.
3. Re-Establishing Routine
After years of being sick with the flu, many people have adopted a “routine” when it comes to their health. This usually means that they take medication or supplements for the purposes of preventing or treating the flu. In addition to this, they may also use natural remedies or home remedies to treat themselves when they get sick. In order to survive this onslaught of illnesses, many people have become overly-reliant on this “routine”, which can create health problems of its own. This is because establishing and following a routine when it comes to your health can actually undermine your overall well-being. While there is no “perfect” routine when it comes to health, there is one guideline that experts want you to follow: take breaks from the routine when you need to.
Whether you are getting a check-up, going on vacation, or just want to experiment with a new way of eating or living, it is important to remember that your body needs time to adjust to these changes. This is why it is advisable not to make any major changes (which could possibly lead to a reversion to your previous unhealthy habits) during times of the year when your body is more susceptible to infection. By taking time off the “routine” during these days, you give your body a chance to heal and adjust to the changes that you are making. In some cases, this could mean that you will need to spend more time in bed than usual, which means that more frequent or longer naps may be necessary. This will all depend on what changes you are making and how your body is reacting to them. It is never easy to make changes to your health but, if you want to survive this pandemic season and be the best that you can be, then it is essential that you consider doing so.