The University of Maryland School of Public Health recently published a study in the journal, Environmental Health Perspectives. The goal of the study was to search for microbes in 4 common brands of American cigarettes.  Fifteen different classes of bacteria and a broad range of potential pathogens were detected in all of the cigarette samples.  90% of all samples detected these familiar nanobugs: Acinetobacter, Clostridium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia , Klebsiella, Burkholderia and Bacillus. Over the years, studies have shown as association between smoking and an increased risk of lung infections.  However, this is the first study to show that cigarettes themselves could be the direct source of exposure to a wide array of potential pathogens among smokers and other people exposed to secondhand smoke.  The specific public health implications of this study are unclear and further studies are needed to determine if the bacteria present is cigarettes actually causes respiratory infection.  It is also interesting to read other studies that detected more bacterial pathogens (disease-producing microbes) in the oral cavity of smokers and the children of smokers compared with non-smokers and their children. In fact, smokers have been shown to be 18 times more likely to harbor bacterial pathogens in their mouths than non-smokers.

 

These findings don’t really surprise me – they just reinforce my healthy choices to: remain a non-smoker, to avoid breathing secondhand smoke and to avoid kissing smokers.  Maybe holiday parties should differentiate mistletoe for smokers and non-smokers.

All this talk about health insurance reform – it seems that Americans have lost sight of the goal – HEALTH.  It seems that everyone has become so focused upon controlling the management and financing of sickness that they have forgotten that they DO have control of their health.  Sickness is NOT inevitable.  It’s important to teach our children how to manage their health and avoid sickness and infection.  Parents will need to expand their knowledge base for health promotion, too.  This means learning more about microbiology and infection prevention, anatomy and physiology of the human body, nutrition and food safety, and behaviors that enhance wellness and reduce risk of disease.  The nanobugs can teach the entire family about infection prevention and microbiology while they entertain and engage young and old. 

 

Last week we had a request from and Lincoln, NE mother for a DVD that plays the animations of the nanobugs as they appear in the menagerie on the website She wants to use this DVD to educate and entertain her children in the van/SUV.  What a great idea – to make use of that transport time for learning about the nanobug characters and their good or bad influence on our health.  I now have visions of families moving about town singing the nanobugs songs and “rapping” with Hepatitis A.  Then add a nanobugs card collection and you’ve got children engaged in independent learning about microbiology.  We are quickly creating the requested nanobugs DVD and will offer it on the website store next week.  But on CyberMonday – November 30^th through December 7^th – we will provide a free nanobugs DVD to customers who order a card collection.  Just click on “contact us” on the website (immediately after you place your order) and say “send me the nanobugs DVD with my card collection”.  Let the nanobugs help regain your family focus upon health and wellness – and have some laughs and smiles while your at it!

On Friday (11/20/09) I found an available dose of H1N1 vaccine and made good on my promise to get both seasonal and H1N1 vaccinations this year.  48 hours later I report- no side effects - not even pain at the injection site.   I got plenty of rest over the weekend to give my immune system opportunity to do the job of generating antibodies.  Of course, it takes about 10 days to complete the process and completely protect me - but by Thanksgiving I will be almost there.  I am certainly thankful that I live in a place and time that makes this all possible.  To have protection against a brand-new nanobug so quickly - evens up the score: previously, Nanobugs - 1 and now it's Infection Prevention 2+ and I win! 

Every newscast these days has a story with headlines alternating between, “Where is the H1N1 vaccine?” and “Most Americans in our survey said they are not planning to take the H1N1 vaccine because of fears about its safety”.    Human beings are so fickle- they demand options but usually respond negatively with their choice.  I know that while we wait for the vaccine, people are getting sick and some are even dying.  But, I think it is important to stop blaming and complaining and spend our energy in planning and implementing an alternative strategy to protect ourselves and our families. 

 

I can offer some of my logic and the rationale I used to develop my personal H1N1 infection prevention strategy.  I am attempting to sleep more.  The human immune system function is enhanced by rest and it is less effective if one is dealing with endless days and too much stress.  So how do we eliminate or even reduce stress?  Compromise on as many things as possible – at least for a few months.  Cut the number of activities in your day so you can end it early and get more sleep.  Some argue – they don’t have time to sleep.  Well, if and when you get sick, you will have to sleep then.  Personally, I would rather sleep well than sleep sick.  And since I have affirmed this increase in sleep as a major element in my strategy – I am relieved of any guilt about limited productivity.

 

Hydration is a key to the effective functioning of mucous membranes so increasing my intake of water is a critical element in my plan.  I start the day with a smile upon awakening and then drink a glass of water – to make up for the insensible water loss during the night with breathing and sweating.  A glass of water before or with each meal helps hydration and compensate for the increased urination that goes with my intake of green tea throughout the day. 

Green, white and black tea are great antioxidants and help control my appetite. 

I drink Kefir every day (“plain” is better than sweetened varieties).  Kefir is a source of probiotic bacteria and enhances the immune system.  Adequate protein in my diet is important because antibodies and white blood cells are constructed from protein. Lots of fruits and veggies – real food – whole foods – are essential.  I add small quantities of real organic lemon juice, grapefruit juice, or other unsweetened citrus juices.  I end the day with chamomile tea to help me sleep well and counteract all the green tea I consumed.  A multivitamin with plenty of vitamin C and D adds extra insurance. 

 

Plenty of fresh air – walking the dog and the use of exercise equipment as a substitute on days of inclement weather – will help dilute and expel invading pathogens.  Smiling, laughing, singing playing my recorder – even for brief periods throughout the day will keep my mood positive and contribute to feelings of wellbeing.

 

Now, you have probably read through my plan looking for some expensive or dramatic prevention tools, medicines or medical consultation and ended up disappointed to find only that same old advice you hear every year during “cold and flu season” – get plenty of rest, eat right, drink plenty of fluids and exercise.

Sorry.  I think it is a tried-and-true strategy and it is based on promoting optimal functioning of these wonderful bodies we have been given.  You got a better idea?

I did it today – got my flu shot.  Since I am the only employee of nanobugs, inc. there is no formal influenza vaccination program. One of my part-time job employers notified me that they would reimburse me up to $25 if I got a flu shot. I decided to go to Walgreen’s for my vaccination.  They advertised that you can make an appointment or walk in.  I needed some items from the store anyway and so it was a very convenient – I could multi-task a trip to Walgreen’s.  Even though there were many customers in the store at 11 AM on a Tuesday, the process was well-planned and executed. I filled out the usual form in the pharmacy at window #1 and paid at window #2 and the pharmacist gave the injection at window #3 as I sat on a stool and put my arm up on the counter.  It worked well for me but might have been an uncomfortable position for an elderly person.  The cost was $24.95 and I received documentation of the vaccination and a payment receipt. I spent the suggested 5 additional minutes in the store to insure that “if I had a reaction, the Pharmacist would be available to treat it”.  That was a good way to put it, I thought.    

Advice from CDC: take time to get a flu shot.  Evidentially, the reason given my many people for not getting vaccinated is the time issue as well as access if your employer doesn’t offer the shots. Well, here is a nice program at the local drug store to overcome those obstacles -unless you are intentional about neglecting vaccination and will find any excuse to avoid the shot….then I could suggest the nasal route of administration with FluMist.  That is offered, too.   

 

I am off to bed early tonight.  It is my tradition to follow the vaccination with a good night’s sleep.  Knowing that the immune system works best when the body is sleeping, I hope to get the antibody production off to a good start tonight.