Dariusz:
> Any input on this or the workings of a flu in general?   None of this
> would have probably happened had I lived in a warmer place.  One more
> reason for me to pack and get the heck away from this hell on earth I am
> growing more and more unable to stand.

There are 3 strains of viruses which cause flu, and more than 200 which cause
colds. All of those mutate very quickly, that's why people who want to get
vaccinated againt flus have to repeat it each year. It is known that the viruses
are transmitted through the air (e.g. when someone near you sneezes). The
transmission by personal contacts (hands shaking...) or door knobs is more
controversial.

The viruses develop quickly at temperature which are a bit cooler than the body
temperature (30C I think, but I forgot), that's why the infection is located in
the nose and in the throat.

It is believed that you can catch colds/flus all around the year, but much more
likely during cold days because people say indoors longer, with closed windows,
thus increasing chances of transmission. It is also possible that a cold
temperature weakens the body, hence its immune system, but that's speculation.

> Oh, almost forgot.  I'd love to hear, from the instictive point of view,
> on the loss of taste and smell that occurs when one goes through a flu
> period.  I could not get a taste out of almost anything inorganic today
> (though the organic apple I still had left was good).  Same for smell.

Dunno. I remember having had 2 colds or flus/year on average before going
instincto. Each of these could last between 1 week and 1 month, and I sometimes
lost my sense of taste (and couldn't smell because of clogged nose). But since I
went all raw in Oct 1996, I haven't had any cold yet, despite several nights at
8 degree C and sometimes going outside at 0 C with only a T-shirt and a shirt.
Of course, before concluding that I have become a superman, it would be wise to
wait a few years, for the results to have any statistical value.

> However, I consumed about 125ml of honey today, and I think it had
> something to do with my considerably quicker recovery from the flu.

It is believed that there are no treatments of colds or flus. One can only
relieve the symptoms, and chicken soup, maybe honey, etc, only fluidify the
mucus in the throat (and thus, you cough less). BTW, nobody knows for sure if
vitamin C works, it is a controversial issue.

Last but not least: many raw-fooders believe that colds/flus are signs of detox.
I think the reason is that allergic reactions produce very similar symptoms
(production of mucus, etc). So, there are reals colds, and "colds". By eating
raw, you may decrease "colds" (if cooked food produces allergic reactions), and
colds (by enhancing the immune system).

Source for all the above (the only book I ever read about the subject): "The
common cold and flu", by Nathan Aaseng.


Best wishes of quick recovery,

Jean-Louis
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