We are being bombarded with information about the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa and the really frightening news that it is now in the US. And we wonder, “Who will be next?”

We hear people like Margaret Chan, the Chief of the World Health Organization (WHO) tell us that the Ebola epidemic is “out of control.”[1] But what does that mean? According to Dr. Tim Lahey, MD, an infectious disease specialist, there are currently about 900 known cases in the world today.[2] That may constitute an epidemic in a village, but certainly not worldwide!

10 ways you can protect yourself from ebola_2Some reports claim that 60 to 90 percent are dying from Ebola,[3] while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and WHO soften that to “about 50 percent.” [4], [5] The problem with statistics is context. If a village in West Africa reports that one person contracted Ebola and died, then the death rate among the infected for that village is 100 percent! Obviously, 50 percent is still very high.

This summer, two American healthcare workers, Dr. Kent Brantly and Nancy Writebol, contracted Ebola in Liberia and were medivacked to the Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. Both were treated successfully and survived the disease. Ms. Writebol urges us not to let “fear take hold of us.”

It’s true, the Ebola virus is a very aggressive virus that claims many lives and we must do everything to halt its spread. However, since Ebola is transmitted only by contact with bodily fluids or articles contaminated by those fluids, the disease is relatively easy to avoid for most people.[6]

10 Ways You Can Protect Yourself from Ebola

1. If at all possible avoid areas of known outbreak.

Those at greatest risk for contracting Ebola are people who live and work in areas of outbreak. The primary outbreak of Ebola is in the West African countries of Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. The Ebola virus can be transmitted through infected humans, animals, carcasses and cadavers, and by any item that has come into contact with their bodily fluids.[7]

2. If you do travel to developing countries, avoid buying or eating wild meat.

Eating animals that had been infected with Ebola may have been the way the virus was spread to humans in the first place. In addition, do not handle the remains of deceased animals or Ebola victims.[8]

3. Take extreme precautions if you are a healthcare provider or family member of an Ebola victim.

Healthcare providers and family members of those infected with the disease find themselves in a precarious position, risking their own safety for the sake of their loved one or patient. But they must make every possible effort to prevent their own infection and avoid spreading the disease.

4. Wash your hands frequently.

As with all infectious diseases, hand-washing is one of the most important preventative measures. Wash with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand cleaner with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.[9]

In addition to the above precautions, the best way to ward off the Ebola virus (or any other virus) is by boosting your immune system. When people do survive the disease, it’s generally because their immune system was able to rise to the task of fighting it off.[10] Below are six ways to rapidly boost your immune system.

how to prevent ebola5. Maintain a healthy diet.

Eat whole foods rather than fast food, junk food or highly processed foods. Many Americans are nutrition-deficient while eating way too many calories of foods full of sugar, trans-fats, and empty carbs. Eat a balanced diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy, whole grains, nuts, berries, etc. A strong immune system needs a healthy diet.

6. Supplement your diet with vitamins C and D.

Sircus, MD, writes, “To date, no viral infection has been demonstrated to be resistant to the proper dosing of vitamin C.”[11] He adds that vitamin D “reduces the risk of dying” from any viral infection. Dr. Sircus recommends vitamins C and D as both preventative and as treatment. [12]

7. Get regular physical exercise.

Regular exercise increases oxygen intake and distribution throughout the body and is known to bolster the immune system. Exercise at least 30 minutes, four to five times per week. Regular exercise will also help you keep your weight, blood sugar and blood pressure down—all important factors in maintaining a strong immune system.

8. Get a good night’s sleep.

Most adults require seven to eight hours of sleep per night. If you think you can get by on less, you’re probably fooling yourself. Sleep is essential for health and supporting a strong immune system.

9. Reduce stress in your life.

The stress chemicals released when you’re under stress suppress the immune system. Take measures to eliminate unnecessary stress and reduce what you can’t eliminate.

10. Shed unhealthy habits like smoking and heavy alcohol consumption.

Both of those habits wreak havoc with numerous systems in your body and deplete your immune system.

In reality, we are far more likely to die of diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer or some other illness brought on by poor lifestyle choices, than by Ebola. So, let’s take steps now toward healthy living and build strong immune systems to ward off whatever is thrown at us.

On November 1st, Home Cures That Work will release an exclusive report on Ebola presented by our own Dr. Scott Saunders.  Not a member yet?  Click here so you don’t miss this vital information.

Rob_FischerRob Fischer has been writing professionally for over 35 years. His experience includes writing curricula, study guides, articles, blogs, newsletters, manuals, workbooks, training courses, workshops, and books. Rob has written for numerous churches, for Burlington Northern Railroad, Kaiser Aluminum, and Barton Publishing. He has also trained managers in effective business writing. Rob holds two Master’s degrees, both focused heavily on writing. Rob has published eleven books and serves as an editor and ghostwriter for other authors.

 

Sources:
[1] Dr. Sircus, “Ebola – Saving Lives with Natural Allopathic Medicine,” August 4, 2014, http://drsircus.com/medicine/ebola-saving-lives-natural-allopathic-medicine.
[2] Carolyn Kylstra, “Everything You Need to Know about the Ebola Virus Outbreak,” Prevention News, August 2014, http://www.prevention.com/health/health-concerns/answers-questions-about-ebola-virus-symptoms-and-risks.
[3] Dr. Sircus.
[4] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “West Africa Ebola Outbreak—Infographic,” nd, http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/pdf/west-africa-outbreak-infographic.pdf.
[5] World Health Organization, “Ebola Virus Disease,” September 2014, http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs103/en/.
[6] David Heitz, “How Ebola Is (and Is Not) Like HIV/AIDS,” Healthline News, October 14, 2014, http://www.healthline.com/health-news/how-ebola-is-and-is-not-like-aids-101414.
[7] World Health Organization.
[8] Mayo Clinic, “Ebola Virus and Marburg Virus: Prevention,” August 6, 2014, http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ebola-virus/basics/prevention/con-20031241.
[9] Mayo Clinic.
[10] Dr. Sircus, “Immune System Cures Ebola 50% of the Time,” August 27, 2014, http://drsircus.com/medicine/immune-system-cures-ebola-fifth-percent-of-the-time.
[11] Dr. Sircus.
[12] Dr. Sircus.

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