The recent epidemic of enterovirus respiratory infections for which we have no means of prevention or treatment other than supportive therapy leads me to make this suggestion:
try keeping your noses clean.
The prototypical enterovirus is the one that causes polio so they are not to be taken lightly. And like with polio we will develop an immunization for it, but it will take some time. In the meantime, respiratory illnesses generally begin with colonization in the nose so keeping it clean is a reasonable start.
#Enterovirus68 starts like the common cold, but can be serious. Here's what to watch for: http://t.co/34NC7eu0BM pic.twitter.com/BSV1Ja1eAA
— CNN (@CNN) September 9, 2014
There is a nasal spray containing xylitol which does an excellent job of helping to keep the nose clean. Xylitol is a natural sugar-like substance that keeps the nose clean in two ways. First it pulls water into the nose so that our normal defenses there can work better; the cilia that sweep it are better coordinated and the mucus that grabs on to all the garbage is stickier. Second it prevents many of the harmful bacteria and viruses from holding on so they can cause their damage. If these infecting agents can’t hold on they are just washed out by our normal defenses and there is no infection and no problem.
While xylitol has not been tested for its effect on enteroviruses it can be used safely by anyone of any age as an effective way to clean the nose, which in turn prevents many upper respiratory problems. Ask for the nasal spray at your local health food store and “keep your nose clean.”
Lon Jones D.O.