Hormones increase blood flow through the brain and nervous
system, consequently allowing more viruses to reach these areas. The levels of
both hormones are known to increase somewhat under stressful conditions. Thus,
unusual stress at a time when viruses are in the blood may increase the hormone
levels and their effects on blood flow enough to facilitate viral invasion of
the nervous system. It is best to stay in bed until fever is gone.
Too many
people with contagious diseases get out of bed too soon, risking complications
for themselves and increasing the likelihood of infecting others. Nursing
mothers with colds should ask their doctor about wearing a nose-and-mouth mask
when handling their baby. Infection from Food and Water Typhoid, amoebic
dysentery, and bacterial dysentery are among dis- eases that gain footholds
through the mouth. Typhoid germs appear in food, milk, and water that have been
contaminated by fecal matter.
Flies that have fed on such matter may carry the germs to
food and drink. Every precaution should be taken to keep food from being
exposed to flies, especially warm food. Plastic dish covers are practical.
Habits of cleanliness should be encouraged for all family members. 302 /
Preventive Body Care Washing hands after use of the toilet and before preparing
and eating food should be automatic. This is important because contamination
can be spread by a person not himself ill, as in the case of a typhoid carrier.
Exemplifying this is the classic story of Typhoid Mary, an otherwise healthy
carrier who, as a cook, went from job to job and spread typhoid to more than
100 victims. All the milk you use should be pasteurized, not just certified.
Certified milk may not be safe, because certification of the health of cattle
is not foolproof; also certified milk is handled before it is bottled.
Pasteurization heats milk for 30 minutes at 142°F or for one
minute at 160°F, After the heat process, the pasteurized milk goes directly
into sterilized bottles without being touched by human hands. Unpasteurized
milk may carry the agents not only of typhoid but also of tuberculosis,
brucellosis, and other diseases. If at any time you are in doubt about milk,
you can do your own home pasteurization by boiling for 3 minutes or scalding
the milk for 30 minutes in a double boiler. In cities, water supply is usually
safe.
In the country, be cautious. No matter how clear water may look, it may
come from wells or lakes, ponds or rivers containing many disease organisms.
Unless you are certain of purity, boil for 10 minutes before drinking.
