Summary
Following this brief introduction are summaries of different types of infections including bacterial, viral, fungal, parasitic, and MRSA.
Infections are the result of a separate organism attaching itself to the body and existing at the body’s expense. The body has natural resistance to infections but they become more common when those resistances are compromised by other diseases, exhaustion, hunger, lack of proper nutrients, exposure to extreme heat or cold, use of harmful drugs, tobacco, alcohol, etc. There are four general types of infections bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitical (including protozoa and helminthes or worms). Other terms associated with infections are:
• Microorganism refers to organisms that are small enough to require a microscope to see them. Among infectious organisms this generally includes bacteria, virus, fungus, and some parasites.
• Pathogen is a scientific term that refers to anything that causes a disease.
• Germ is the common word used to refer to any microorganism that can cause a disease.
Bacteria
This is a one cell organism that are prolific in many places in our environment. Many of these exist very well in the comfortable environment of the human body. Of those that live in or on the human body 99% are good or helpful. Unfortunately the remaining one percent can cause a number of uncomfortable or serious health concerns. Examples of common diseases caused by bacteria are:
• Acne
• Ear infections
• Impetigo
• Kidney infection
• Meningitis
• Pneumonia
• Strep throat
• Tonsilitis
• Tuberculosis
• Stye
Another consideration with bacterial infections is the balance between the good and the bad. On the skin and in the digestive tract beneficial microbial colonies exist and limit the development of pathogenic microbes (bad ones). Dysbiosis is the technical term when there is an imbalance between the good and the bad. Inappropriate antibiotics, other pharmaceuticals, alcohol, etc can disturb this balance between the good and the bad. When this imbalance continues for a long period of time chronic conditions develop. Candida, inflammatory bowel disease and chronic fatigue syndrome are conditions reported to be associated with dysbiosis.
Virus
A virus is even smaller than the one-cell bacteria. Unlike all other infectious agents it is not even a living “thing”. It rather is some molecules (DNA or RNA) surrounded with some protein that is only able to exist if it invades a (human) cell. It is submicroscopic meaning that it is so small that with the typical microscope it cannot be seen. It survives and multiplies at the expense of the cell it has invaded and moves on to invade other nearby cells thus spreading its harmful effects. Interestingly enough, science has not yet found a beneficial virus. Common diseases caused by viruses are:
• AIDS
• Bronchitis
• Chicken Pox (Shingles)
• Common cold
• Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
• Influenza
• Meningitis
• Mononucleosis
• Mumps
• Rabies
• Tonsillitis
• Warts
Note: A number of infectious diseases can be the result of bacterial, viral, and/or fungal infections.
Fungus
Much like bacteria some fungi can live on or in the body without detrimental effects. Other types of internal fungi or those that are able to penetrate the barrier provided by the skin can become very uncomfortable irritants. Common fungal infections include:
• Athlete’s foot
• Candidiasis (yeast infection)
• Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
• Diaper rash
• Nail fungus
• Pneumonia
• Ringworm
Parasites
The most common parasites affecting humans are those that live in the intestines and on the skin. They range in size from the single cell amoeba to much larger flukes, roundworms, and tapeworms. A human parasite is defined as an organism or animal which lives on or inside the host human and survives and thrives by either eating the food ingested by the host, or by eating body cells and tissues of the host. The parasite, which is able to find enough food to survive, will reproduce and eventually cause an infestation.
The four common groups are protozoa, round worms, tapeworms, and flukes. They are most common in the third world but with much more travel abroad they are not uncommon in the developed nations. A very common parasite is the one cell protozoa, the amoeba responsible for amoebic dysentery. Symptoms of the various types of intestinal infection can include:
• Anemia or loss of energy
• Appetite loss
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Gas and bloating
• Vomiting
Infections – Bacterial vs. Viral (see also MRSA)
Robert James
Viruses are about 100 times smaller that bacteria. And about 100 times harder to get rid of than bacteria. Viruses also live and reproduce inside a host cell. They are basically a protein that has either a DNA or RNA gene molecules. Viruses are harder to kill because they are not exactly alive in the first place. Antibiotics have no effect on viruses. Most control of virus comes in the form or prevention or immunization. If a doctor prescribes an anti-biotic for a virus, it is likely for a placebo effect. It will not help.
Bacterium, is a living cell that has all the biological workings for carrying out life processes, including reproduction. Unlike the bacterium a virus is nothing more than a single or double strand of RNA or DNA wrapped in a coat of protein. Not all bacteria are bad, and the good bacteria in our body is essential for many functions.
Some essential oils have been studied for their anti-viral activity. Many more are considered effective against bacteria. The most amazing thing about essential oils and bacteria is their ability to effectively kill bad bacteria while leaving good bacteria alone!
Oils that inhibit the growth of micro organisms like bacteria or fungi (antibacterial) are basil, cassia, cinnamon, clove, cypress, eucalyptus, geranium, lavender, lemon, marjoram, melaleuca, myrrh, orange, oregano, peppermint, rosemary and thyme.
Oils that have been studied to help control viral infections include, basil, cassia, cinnamon, eucalyptus, frankincense, lemon, lemongrass, marjoram, melaleuca, myrrh. oregano, and thyme.
It is difficult to make clear cut decisions on which oils do what. Some oils may have properties that test as very effective at inhibiting viral growth, but the percentage of the property contained as a constituent may be quite small. They also may have two such properties, and synergistically they might be fairly effective together at attacking bacteria or virus respectively.
In reading several books by trusted doctors, PhD's and scientists, we find that they often do not cite the same oils as having the same results but I have looked for those with a common consensus. Constituents that seem to have that common consensus for antiviral activity include, but are not limited to; anethole, carvone, beta-caryophyllene, citral, eugenol, limonene, linalool, and linalyl acetate.
Some essential oils are believed to attack viruses in the host cells, at a cellular level. That is why I personally believe I've seen oils like oregano effective against SARs and shingles. Of course, many essential oils are well known for their ability to stimulate the immune system and offer some indirect protection against viral infection through these effects.
MRSA, what is it?
Robert James
A common misconception is that MRSA is a virus or caused by virus. In fact you will probably still find some argument about it. But my understanding is that MRSA is not caused by a virus. Instead, MRSA is a strain of the bacteria Staphylococcus aureas. MRSA even got its name because it is a bacteria that is resistant to the antibiotic methicillin. It has since become resistant to almost all types of antibiotics. If you get MRSA, and a hospital is treating it, it almost become a game of cat and mouse as they determine what antibiotic might be most effective in your body vs. dealing with horrific side effects and allergic reactions - or in other words, your body saying; WAIT! What the he#% is that!!
New strains of MRSA have recently emerged in the community that are capable of causing severe infections in otherwise healthy individuals. These MRSA infections are known as CAMRSA or community-associated MRSA. MRSA infections that are acquired in the hospitals and healthcare facilities are known as healthcare-associated MRSA.
Depending on where you get your statistics from. If you get MRSA during a hospital stay, you have about a 5-10% chance of dying. MRSA now kills more people than the aids virus. The actual numbers that die annually from MRSA or Staph are all over the board, but I assume quite understated. (of course I'm a "conspiracy theory" kinda guy) All I know is that my grandmother died of it after a simple operation, and my uncle got a blood infection (staph) after he had a stint put in... (thank goodness for frankincense and melaleuca!)
[search help: bacteria, bacterial, antibacterial, anti-bacterial, fungi, fungus, fungal, antifungal, anti-fungal, virus, viruses, virii, antiviral, anti-viral, infection
Ready, Set, Grow
