Anyone remember swine flu? It has been a year since the new H1N1 virus first emerged in Mexico and the United States. One horror message chased the other. It is said that a vaccine came onto the market too late. Then there was him, and suddenly people were talking about the greatest human experiment of all time. Governments still ordered millions of vaccine doses – and ended up sitting on them because the new flu was much milder than predicted. So there was nothing besides expenses?
It would be nice. However, scientists around the world assume that an event such as H1N1 may only have been the prelude to a whole wave of new infectious diseases. “One reason for this is that more and more pathogens originally only native to animals are overcoming the so-called species barrier to humans through mutation,” says Prof. Helge Karch, Director of the Institute for Hygiene at the University of Münster.
Table of Contents
No other life form is so adaptable
More and more viruses and bacteria, which until now have only made animals sick, will change their strategy in such a way that they can ultimately trick our defenses. This has nothing to do with painting black. No other life form adapts as quickly and perfectly as these tiny creatures. The new swine flu virus changed so rapidly that by June 2009, just two months after it first appeared, there were cases where the flu drug “Tamiflu” was no longer helping. H1N1 had already become resistant to it, experts say. Doctors are increasingly finding the same thing to happen with bacteria. “In just one or two generations, all known antibiotics will no longer be able to do anything, because by then all pathogens will be resistant,” warns Prof. Martin Krönke, Director of the Institute for Medical Microbiology at the University of Cologne. The germ MRSA, against which almost no antibiotics help, is increasingly appearing in clinics. The Association of Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (vfa) in Berlin announced in 2009 that five new antibiotics would help against MRSA. However, vfa Managing Director Cornelia Yzer also says: “Responsible use of existing preparations is important.” She says this with good reason: 75 percent of all antibiotics prescribed on an outpatient basis in this country are used for respiratory tract infections alone. In fact, studies show that 80 percent of these infections have no bacterial cause. Antibiotics are ineffective. In addition, many patients do not take antibiotics correctly. The result: further resistance develops. And that extremely fast. Because bacteria double their biomass within half an hour. Survival advantages arise every minute.
Researchers around the world are therefore looking for new ways to combat the ingenious tiny creatures. On the one hand with active ingredients that, unlike before, prevent them from infecting our cells. On the other hand, with preparations that specifically strengthen parts of our immune system.
Our immune system fights foreigners in two ways
On the one hand, this includes our innate immune system: scavenger cells that recognize and destroy pathogens. On the other hand, there is the adaptive immune system, a kind of pathogen memory that is added over the course of life. It has long been assumed that there is no connection between innate and adaptive defenses. German researchers have now discovered that our scavenger cells, with the help of so-called toll-like receptors, or TLRs for short, pass on parts of pathogens that have been rendered harmless in order to alert the adaptive defense system. The first new drugs based on TLR are already available. Novel vaccines, which they specifically push, are being tested.
Viruses and bacteria also have an Achilles heel
A path discovered by employees at the Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology in Berlin is just as promising. Among the approximately 24,000 human genes, they tracked down the 287 “switches” that influenza viruses need to multiply in their host cells. These “switches” could also be specifically inhibited with new drugs. “This strategy will play an important role in the future,” says Prof. Thomas Meyer, head of the Berlin research team.
Prof. Thisbe Lindhorst from the Institute for Organic Chemistry at the University of Kiel has found a similar Achilles’ heel in bacteria. This involves a process that experts call adhesion. This means that bacteria use tiny threads to cling to the sugary outer shell of their host cell. How it works has long been a mystery. Now it is at least clearer what the sugar must be like so that the bacterium can travel with it, and – much more important! – how you would have to change it with medication, for example, so that this doesn’t happen. “In times of antibiotic resistance, this is a promising approach,” says Prof. Lindhorst.
So the researchers have caught up. That’s reassuring. But it will certainly be some time before all the new drugs are ready for the market. Isn’t there already something better than antibiotics and neuramidase inhibitors like “Tamiflu”? Is there! Prevention and targeted treatment. It starts with taking a look at his vaccination card and asking the family doctor which vaccinations need to be refreshed. Because pathogens that our adaptive defense system already knows after the “little spade” are no longer a threat. However, prevention also means: when the next wave of flu hits Germany, observe a few hygiene rules. This does not mean scrubbing everything with harsh disinfectants. Washing hands with soap and water is often sufficient (see tips on hygiene) and does not disturb the healthy microflora on our skin. Bacteria there are not a curse, but a blessing, as a study by the University of California now shows: Staphylococci on the skin, found a team led by Dr. Richard Gallo, prevent dangerous inflammation. With excessive cleanliness, however, this important protective mechanism fails. In addition to adequate vaccination protection and appropriate hygiene, in the future it will be particularly important to only use antibiotics when it makes sense. A blood test (approx. 28 euros) can help with this decision. It records the concentration of procalcitonin (PCT), an inflammatory marker that the body releases when bacteria are up to mischief. The lower the PCT value, the more pointless an antibiotic. Ask your doctor about it!
Viruses don’t stand a chance against pure plant power
Or ask for a plant-based alternative right away. Because the tiny creatures don’t stop at Flora. Many plants defend themselves against this with protective substances. And, as more and more studies show, they also help us. This includes, for example, an extract from the South African Cape geranium. It increases interferon production. This in turn activates our killer cells. The highlight: So far, no virus has been resistant to it. Bacteria and viruses also still have no chance against American water hazel and the meanwhile standardized plant substance myrtol.
In addition, cruciferous plants such as horseradish and lily plants such as aloe vera are increasingly being scrutinized. They contain so-called glucosinolates, mustard oils that massively inhibit the growth of viruses, bacteria and fungi. resistances? None! And side effects such as diarrhea do not occur with herbal antibiotics either. In fact, there is more than one herb against infections.
HOW MUCH HYGIENE IS REASONABLE?
Bacteria and viruses are tough. To remove them completely – impossible. Sensible hygiene therefore means: reducing their number to a healthy level and avoiding their spread.
- Wash hands more often and for at least 30 seconds. Water and simple soap are completely sufficient. Don’t forget the fingertips and spaces between them! Tip: when washing, simply hum a verse “All the birds are already there”.
- Ventilate living and office rooms regularly . Pathogens prefer it warm and humid.
- Use a gentle washing emulsion with a pH value of 5.5 when showering and bathing . In this way, the protective acid layer of the skin is not destroyed. Important: not too hot (max. 37 degrees) and do not shower every day.
- Wash underwear, washcloths, shower and bath towels at 60 degrees .
- Do not sneeze or cough into your hand , but into your upper arm.
- Stay home and recover from a cold or flu .
WHAT VACCINATIONS ARE RECOMMENDED?
In Germany there is no compulsory vaccination. This means that everyone should discuss with their doctor individually which vaccinations recommended by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) in Berlin are really necessary for them. However, adults over the age of 18 should not miss the following vaccinations .
- Lockjaw (tetanus): refresh every ten years. There are combination vaccines against tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough and – if necessary – against polio.
- Diphtheria (bacterial infection of the airways): refresh every ten years. There are combined vaccines (see Tetanus).
- Pertussis (whooping cough): refresh every ten years. This applies in particular to adults who wish to have children or who have close contact with children (e.g. parents, grandparents).
- Pneumococci (pneumonia): one-time vaccination. Recommended for those over 60 and for people with chronic illnesses.
- Influenza (true seasonal flu): annually with current vaccine. Recommended from the age of 60 and for chronically ill people (e.g. asthma).
Important: The vaccinations are usually paid for by all health insurance companies.
