America is in the midst of one of the worst influenza (flu) epidemics in years, rivaling the swine flu epidemic of 2009. The current epidemic has led to tens of thousands of hospitalizations and an extraordinarily high number of deaths. While the infants, the elderly, and those with weak immune systems are the most vulnerable, this year’s flu has claimed the lives of numerous young and healthy individuals.
How can a healthy person die from the flu? In a word, sepsis. Sepsis results when the body forms an overactive and overwhelming response to an infection. It is a dysfunctional and overly-aggressive reaction to an infection that subsequently makes things worse. More specifically, sepsis is caused by excess inflammatory mediators called cytokines flooding the bloodstream. This can rapidly lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death.
While most people recover from the flu after a few days of bed rest and fluids, those who quickly progress to sepsis require immediate medical attention. Common signs and symptoms of sepsis to watch for include:
- High body temperature (fever) or decreased body temperature
- Inability to keep fluids down
- Difficulty breathing
- Rapid heartbeat
- Lethargy
- Confusion
- Slurred speech
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Difficulty walking
Without prompt treatment, sepsis can be deadly. If you ever suspect you or a loved one may have sepsis, because minutes count, go immediately to your nearest emergency room. If caught early, sepsis can be treated with intravenous fluids and medication. If this fails, emerging evidence has shown that intravenous vitamin C, hydrocortisone, and vitamin B1 (thiamine) can reduce sepsis mortality by nearly 80%. Sadly, most doctors and hospitals are unaware of this. I urge you to check with your doctor and your local hospital. Waiting until after the fact could prove deadly! (Please email me if you would like the treatment protocol.)
NOTE: Most health authorities claim that getting an annual flu shot is the best way to combat influenza. Evidence suggests the vaccine may make you more susceptible to the flu. Tamiflu has problems too, as side effects may include seizures, brain infections, hallucinations, and suicidal feelings. Fortunately, there may be a better way. The medical literature suggests that optimizing vitamin D blood levels may be far more effective in preventing and combating the flu. An optimal blood level is 60-80 ng/dL. If you are taking a vitamin D supplement, without proper bloodwork, do not assume that you are taking enough. With vitamin D, it is crucial to get enough but not too much.
