PREVENT BACTERIAL INFECTIONS SPREADING

To combat the spread of bad bacteria the answer is to keep very clean. Personal and household cleanliness is of ultimate importance. Wash hands whenever they have come into contact with surfaces that might harbour bad bacteria from others, especially after handling money or touching handles and after visiting the toilet. Use a tea tree oil solution.

For hand washing instructions click the image below to enlarge:

Wash bedding, towels and clothes at least once a week in hot temperatures, (daily if there is an infection) and keep surfaces, especially those touched by human hands or food and floors in the home clean and dust free. 90% of dust in the home is human skin which mites and bacteria thrive upon. Some bacteria can live without sustenance on surfaces for a long time.

As well as a healthy diet, including all the foods listed below, vaccines can be given to prevent serious bacteria infections such as polio and influenza. It is especially recommended for children, the elderly, those with a suppressed immune system, those taking steroid anti rejection drugs or those with a malfunctioning or missing spleen. Keeping the liver, intestines, bowels & kidneys healthy by a good diet of whole grains, fruit, vegetables, herbs and spices will help with fighting bacteria infections too.

See the Cleansers page.

Vaccines make the body create antibodies to particular virulent and often dangerous bacteria infections. They are not harmful because they are working in conjunction with the body's immune system.

Polio could be eradicated from the world completely (the same as smallpox has been) if all those left in the small areas it is prevalent would agree to be vaccinated. Unfortunately, some religions are against vaccinations which is not helping the spread of this devastating disease.

For a list of bacteria, the conditions that they can cause and the natural antibiotics that can be used to control them see the A-Z of Bacteria and treatments

PROBIOTIC (FRIENDLY) BACTERIA

When the food passing through the small intestine and is not properly digested and the nutrients are not well absorbed, people tend to eat even more food in an attempt to get the missing nutrients they need to survive. This is one of the causes of weight gain as people age and build up more and more mucoid plaque.

These bio-friendly bacteria or probiotics displace those harmful pathogenic micro-organisms (the bad bacteria, parasites, yeast and fungus) that cause constipation and diarrhoea and vaginitis and do not leave them room to attach themselves and multiply on the inner surface of the colon and small intestine. Those which cannot attach themselves to the lining would normally end up being excreted from the body in the faeces, but when the intestines have a build up of mucus and waste material sticking to that lining, it provides a perfect place for pathogenic bacteria, yeast, fungus and parasites to reside, feed, reproduce and multiply, and produce their poisonous toxins.

In a healthy digestive system, there should be about 80 to 85 percent bio-friendly bacteria (like Acidophilus and Bifidus) and only 15 to 20 percent yeast and fungus. In a healthy body, there will three pounds of probiotic bacteria in the digestive tract, bacteria which help to digest and absorb the nutrients in food. There will be about four pounds of good and bad bacteria in the whole body. There should be more individual probiotic bacteria organisms in the gut than there are cells in the lining of the digestive tract.

However today, processed foods, alcoholic beverages and antibiotics fed to the animals humans eat means the number of probiotic bacteria that survive to do their job in the human gastrointestinal tract is getting less and less. Taking antibiotic drugs kills the good probiotic bacteria along with the pathogenic bacteria. The chlorine and fluorine in tap water helps kill toxic bacteria in the water supply, but can also kill the probiotic bacteria in the human gastrointestinal tract. A charcoal filter can remove the chlorine from tap water but not the fluoride.

Chemical preservatives in processed foods keep bacteria from growing in the products and obviously when ingested will also kill the bacteria which are supposed to be growing in the digestive tract. With less of the good protective probiotic bacteria in the human system it is no wonder the pathogenic bacteria, yeast, fungi, and parasites are proliferating and causing so many health problems today.

Beneficial intestinal bacteria

• Bifidobacterium longum

• Lactobacillus bulgaricus

• Lactobacillus casei

• Lactobacillus salivarius

• Neisseria cinerea

• Neisseria flavescens

• Neisseria lactamica

• Neisseria mucosa

• Neisseria sicca

• Neisseria subflava

• Streptococcus thermophilus

To keep the beneficial bacteria balanced and fed the most important foods to ingest is fibre and prebiotics and probiotics. See the Fibre page to learn more.

Cholera (Vibrio Cholerae)

Precautions to take to avoid cholera in areas where it is common are:

• Always boil water before use or only drink from sealed bottles or water purified with iodine or chlorine.

• Always cook food thoroughly especially seafood like oysters.

• Always wash hands well after handling uncooked foods or going to the toilet.

• Always dispose of waste carefully.

• Soak fruit and vegetables in clean water with bicarbonate of soda, lemon and vinegar before using.

• Avoid ice, unclean fruits, raw foods, salads and ice cream when travelling in high cholera areas.

Never take anti-diarrhoea medications when suffering from cholera as this prevents the elimination of the bacteria and toxins.

Nature cures for treating cholera

The quickest way to rehydrate someone is for them to slowly drink 1 litre of water to which 4 teaspoons of sugar and ½ a teaspoon of salt has been added. The following can help as they have antibacterial or rehydrating properties as well as being nutritious.

Not long after a female infant is born, the Lactobacilli bacteria are found in the vagina. They stay there for several weeks, making the environment of the vagina acidic while they make acid from stored glucose. A mixture of various bacteria then inhabit the vagina and it stops being acidic. When she reaches puberty, however, so many Lactobacilli are now in the vagina, that it becomes acidic once again. The acidic environment created by the Lactobacilli protects the vagina from being inhabited by harmful microorganisms.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae causes the sexually transmitted disease named gonorrhoea and Neisseria meningitidis causes meningitis, or the inflammation and infection of the meninges membrane that covers the brain. Yet, there are other Neisseria bacteria that are part of the normal flora of the respiratory tract. Like Lactobacillus, they hardly ever cause any disease.

Examples of this group include N. mucosa, N. flavescens, N. sicca, N. cinerea, N. lactamica and N. subflava. From three to 40 percent of people have N. lactamica, especially children. While this beneficial group of Neisseria protect against any harmful bacteria that may enter the respiratory tract, N. lactamica has proteins that specifically help the immune system to destroy the N. meningitidis bacteria that causes meningitis.

For natural remedies see Gonorrhoea

Porphyromonas gingivalis

P. gingivalis is a significant deterrent to oral health. It helps the initiation and progression of periodontal disease in which gums become red and swollen and bleed easily. This bacteria infiltrates the sub gingival region and adheres to dental tissues or other bacteria. Although gingivitis and periodontal disease attribute to a localized region around the tooth, persistent proliferation of this bacterium can cause major systemic conditions, including cardiovascular disease and early deliveries in pregnant women. Regularly flossing and brushing your teeth, in tandem with annual professional dental cleanings can prevent P. gingivalis from overtaking the bacterial balance in the mouth.

Salmonella

Salmonella is a type of bacteria. It's usually found in poultry, eggs, unprocessed milk and in meat and water. It may also be carried by pets like tortoises, turtles, rodents and birds. It usually causes food poisoning, but one type of salmonella bacteria is the cause of typhoid fever. The salmonella bacteria attacks the stomach and intestines. In more serious cases, the bacteria may enter the lymph tracts, which carry water and protein to the blood, and the blood itself.

The bacteria attack all age groups and both sexes. Children, the elderly and people who are already ill are much more likely to get a serious infection, as are people who have low gastric acidity or who regularly take antacids. Symptoms are diarrhoea, without blood, headaches, stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting and fever. In the case of less serious infections, there are fewer symptoms, usually only diarrhoea two or three times a day for a couple of days. Most mild types of salmonella infection clear up in four to seven days without requiring any treatment other than rest and plenty of liquid. See also Food poisoning

Staphylococcua epidermidis

This bacteria is one of the normal microbial flora of the skin and being on the skin, it provides an important first line of defence against harmful bacteria. There are approximately 10,000 to 100,000 Staphylococcus epidermidis on each square centimetre of skin. Some of them are on the outermost layer of the skin, while others are in the hair follicles and will travel to the outer skin layer after people wash their hands. This bacteria is also found in the mucous membranes of the throat.

Streptococcus mutans

Streptococcus mutans is a dental pathogen and is the leading cause of tooth decay around the world, Often seen as the most cariogenic, meaning cavity-causing, of all the Streptococci bacteria in the oral cavity, S. mutans sticks to the teeth's surface and feeds on simple carbohydrate procured through eating. This bacteria is present in virtually everyone in the world and preventative measures include a regular brushing and flossing regimen to minimise bacterial proliferation. See Tooth decay

This human pathogen, also known as group A streptococcus (GAS) is the leading cause of bacterial pharyngitis and tonsillitis. It may also produce scarlet fever as well as strep throat, pneumonia and toxic shock syndrome, in addition to ear and sinus infections, sinusitis, otitis, arthritis and bone infections. Incubation period is typically two to four days, and if strep throat is not treated, a person can stay contagious for several days to weeks after the illness has passed. People can also be carriers of strep without being sick or demonstrating symptoms.
Some strains prefer skin, producing either superficial (impetigo) or deep (cellulitis) infections. Later, following skin infections an after effect of disease or injury can include rheumatic fever following respiratory infections and glomerulonephritis (a painful kidney disease).

It is very important to treat a strep infection within nine days, because in rare cases it can lead to an autoimmune reaction - rheumatic fever - that can affect the joints, skin, heart and kidneys. Rheumatic fever can cause permanent damage to the heart valves as well as other disorders of the heart. It can also lead to a syndrome called Sydenham's chorea, which causes emotional instability, muscle weakness and jerky movements of the hands, feet and face. This autoimmune reaction can also cause inflammation of the kidneys, producing a condition called poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis that can lead to permanent kidney damage.

Streptococcus pyogenes is the leading causative agent of rheumatic fever. Despite its reputation as a disease gone-by, acute rheumatic fever remains the leading cause of heart disease among children worldwide especially in the third world. Once inside a person, the bacteria often subvert the immune system, allowing them to attack heart tissue. In severe cases, surgery is required to replace damaged heart valves. Researchers have tried for many years to make the connection between bacterial infection and heart disease. 

There are more than a hundred varieties of group A Streptococcus each of which is distinguished by the type of 'M' protein it has. The M proteins serve as important virulence factors that help the organism resist phagocytosis (cell eating). Two M18 proteins in particular caught the attention of the researchers. They look like another M18 protein, called SPEC, which triggers a massive immune reaction in host cells and leads to streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, these types of protein are called superantigens, which allow the bacterium to survive in the host for an extended period of time. Occasionally, S. pyogenes causes rapid and progressive infection of subcutaneous tissue resulting in massive systematic inflammation and tissue destruction - hence the dramatic reports of "flesh-eating" bacteria.

See also

• Nose and throat

• Tinnitus and ear ache

Scarlet fever

Scarlet fever (sometimes called scarlatina) is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes, which is commonly found on the skin or in the throat, where it can live without causing problems. However, under some circumstances, they can also cause diseases like scarlet fever. Scarlet fever is usually a complication following infection by a particular group of strep bacteria that cause strep throat.

It is mainly a childhood disease and is most common between the ages of two and eight years but can infect children up to the age of 15. It is rarely seen in adults. It is usually spread by coughing, sneezing or breathing out. Scarlet fever can also be caught through direct contact with the mucus or saliva of an infected person, meaning it can live on eating utensils or surfaces such as tables.

It is important to keep children at home when they have this highly contagious infection and teach them to hold a had over their mouth when sneezing and coughing and wash their hands often. Do not let them share drinking glasses, cups, toothbrushes or utensils. Clean all surfaces that the child can touch in the home often (including toilet flush levers, light switches, door handles and banisters etc) and change their toothbrush when they have recovered.

The first symptoms that appear are usually a sore throat, cough and nasal congestion followed by a fine, red, raised, sandpapery rash. Along with a sore throat, there is often a bright red tongue with white patches on the tongue and tonsils. The rash typically starts on the face, and then rapidly spreads to the chest, trunk and extremities. It does not include the palms of the hands or soles of the feet. The rash is often worse in skin folds around the groin, arms and legs. This rash usually lasts about a week and skin can slough off as the redness fades.

Symptoms take around two to five days to develop after infection.

Other symptoms can include:

• Sore throat

• Cough and nasal congestion

• High temperature and fever

• Headache

• Nausea or vomiting

• White coating on the tongue

• Swollen glands in the neck (enlarged and tender lymph nodes )

• Feeling tired and unwell

• Flushed face, but pale around the mouth

• Peeling skin on the fingertips, toes and groin area as the rash fades

Natural Remedies for Scarlet Fever

Anti-inflammatory gargle
Echinacea, sage and marigold are soothing and anti-inflammatory herbs.

Antimicrobial gargle
Echinacea, goldenseal and myrrh are antibacterial and immune-stimulating herbs.

Pain relief gargle
Propolis, peppermint and ginger are antimicrobial and anodyne herbs.

Astragalus is a Chinese herb which has a long history of treating bacteria infections by boosting the immune system. It can be obtained in tincture or capsule form and is safe for children at half the adult dose stipulated.

Passion fruit contains components which have the ability to relieve sore throat and hoarseness.

A sore throat can be soothed with ice lollies made with fresh fruit juice and the teas of herbs listed here which is especially good for children.

Chilli peppers, garlic, ginger, onions and radishes are especially good dietary additions since they have antibiotic and antiviral properties.

Pineapple juice can rehydrate the body during a fever.

See more Remedies for fever and infection below.

Treponema denticola

T. denticola aids in the progression of periodontal disease, inflammation and gum recession. This bacterium invades healthy gingival tissues and can infect the root canals of teeth causing severe pain and, in some cases, the need for dental surgery. P. gingivalis and T. denticola can decrease the effectiveness of normal human bacterial inhibitors in the mouth leading to severe periodontal degradation over time.

See Tooth decay

Viridans streptococcus

The mucous membranes that line the throat and mouth do not usually have any bacteria in them initially, but they may get bacteria as the infant passes through the birth canal of the mother. By four to 12 hours after an infant is born, Viridans streptococcus is the main microbial flora of the mouth and throat, and it stays that way for life. Both S. epidermidis and V. streptococcus can cause endocarditis, or the inflammation of the inner layer of the heart muscle, if they gain access to the bloodstream and reach the heart. Just as S. epidermidis protects against harmful bacteria that may contact the skin, V. streptococcus is beneficial because it protects against harmful bacteria that may try to invade the mouth and throat.

SYMPTOMS OF BACTERIAL INFECTION

A high temperature fever is usually the main symptom that can be caused by a bacteria or virus infection and a blood test needs to be done to ascertain the cause. Other symptoms can be unusual tiredness, muscle aches, headache, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain.

FEVER

NOTE: Do not take ginger if taking anticoagulants (blood thinning medication) or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen or in the first trimester of pregnancy due to the risk of bleeding.

Teas

Steep one or more of the following ingredients in a cup of hot water for ten minutes then strain and sip slowly. Can be gently reheated but do not boil.

Antibiotics are ineffective since they work by destroying the specialised structures of all bacteria in the body including those that are vital to normal functions and who assist the immune system and produce some nutrients the body requires. There are many plants with powerful antimicrobial properties, in their leaves, stems, seeds and roots, as they have evolved to produce chemicals that can kill the bacteria, fungi and viruses that attack them as they do not have an immune system. When humans and animals consume these plants they same antimicrobial effect will occur within the body. Most aromatic herbs and spices produce volatile oils that have this ability.

Mushrooms that exhibit powerful antibacterial properties are:

• Basidiomycete mushroom

• Maitake mushroom

• Reishi mushroom

• Shiitake mushroom.

Apple cider vinegar has powerful antibiotic and antiseptic properties. It also helps to alkalise the body which can prevent infection. Consume one tablespoon every day. Vinegar makes a good natural cleaner for the home as well. See Hygiene, Toxins and Health.

Aubergine: The seeds of aubergine are an immune system stimulant. Intake of half a gram to one gram of these seeds daily for three days will help develop immunity against many bacteria and  viruses, especially measles, for one year.

Fagara: is an effective natural treatment alternative to antibiotics.

The medicinal mushrooms, crushed seeds and chopped herbs should be steeped in hot water for 30 minutes, strained off then the liquid drunk as a tea, soup or broth 3 times a day until the infection is gone.

The herb roots should be chopped up and simmered for 30 minutes before consuming along with the juice once a day until the infection is gone.

Add any of these medicinal herbs, spices and mushrooms to meals and with fruit juices and honey which may help some of them be more palatable.

Reishi mushrooms can be placed in hot water and taken as tea, hot chocolate, mocha or latte as an alternative to coffee.

Probiotic foods that contain beneficial bacteria

• Brine pickles (eggs, fruit, nuts, seeds and vegetables that have been fermented by lactic acid bacteria) helps to provide additional beneficial (probiotic) bacteria to the intestines.

• Kefir (fermented milk drink)

• Kimchi (a fermented, spicy Korean side dish)

• Kombucha (fermented black or green Asian tea)

• Miso (a Japanese fermented seasoning made with soya beans, salt and a type of fungus called koji)

• Sauerkraut (finely shredded cabbage that has been fermented by lactic acid bacteria)

• Tempeh (fermented soya beans)

• Yoghurt (plain with live cultures)

Highest sources of pro-formed vitamin A in micrograms per 100 grams

• Cayenne chilli powder, paprika 49254 µg

• Sweet potato 19218  µg

• Carrots 17033  µg

• Pumpkin 15563  µg

• Kale 14704  µg

• Dried apricots 12669  µg

• Butternut squash 11155  µg

• Dried mint 10579  µg

• Cos or romaine lettuce 8710  µg

• Parsley 8424  µg

• Cress 6917  µg

• Watercress 3191  µg

• Broccoli 2622  µg

• Butter 2499  µg

• Peas 2100  µg

• Apricots 1926  µg

• Tofu 1913  µg

• Carrot juice 1912  µg

• Passion fruit 1272  µg

• Courgettes 1117  µg

• Tomatoes 833  µg

NOTE: One µg is one microgram.

Vitamin C: Vitamin C is required to protect against infection and assist with clearing up infections and is thought to enhance the immune system. It can also can kill the antibiotic-resistant tuberculosis bacteria.

Vitamin C increases iron uptake, which vitamin E inhibits. Vitamin C lowers manganese and zinc, while vitamin E helps increase manganese and zinc absorption. As a result, a very high intake of vitamin C will require an equally high intake of vitamin E to maintain the same ratio. See Vitamin E below.

There are more than 900 genes that Vitamin D is now known to switch on and off and, in doing so, alters the body’s vulnerability to disease. The large number of genes involved explains how so many quite different diseases can be caused by insufficient sunshine.

After the age of 50 the body becomes less proficient at converting the sun's rays to vitamin D and the kidneys become less efficient at making this process take place. It is important to check levels every six months over the age of 50, especially around December and January.

It is important to address the acid/alkaline balance in the body. An acidic environment causes bacteria and other microbes to flourish. Check the pH of saliva with pHydrion paper. If the saliva pH is below 7.2 then there may be an imbalance of the bacteria flora in the intestines. To increase the oral pH to a normal 7.2 or greater, drink one teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda in a cup of water. It is that simple to neutralise the acids that cause bacteria imbalance and infections, anaemia, halitosis, hay fever, mouth sores, proliferation of worms and parasites, tooth cavities and decay, virus infections and even oral cancer.

Cleaning teeth regularly with bicarbonate of soda can help keep the alkaline levels in check and has no toxic chemicals that are added to toothpastes and alcohol in mouthwashes which encourage an environment suitable for the growth of pathogenic bacteria and parasites. Coconut oil is also antibacterial and can be mixed with bicarbonate of soda to produce a natural toothpaste. It has been proved that the strong antibacterial mouthwashes that contain alcohol encourages the proliferation of worms and parasites by killing the good bacteria in the intestinal tract.

Trimethylamine-N-oxide

Both lecithin and carnitine are manufactured by the human body and essential for vital processes in the body.

It is therefore healthier to ensure the plant nutrients required for the body to manufacture it's own lecithin and carnitine are present rather than consuming animal products which contain these nutrients which feeds the trimethylamine-N-oxide producing bacteria in the intestines instead.

Natural plant foods to consume to ensure the body can produce it's own lecithin and carnitine are:

When infected with a bacteria stay away from substances that will make it harder for the body to fight off infection such as:

A complete overhaul of dietary habits needs to be put in place and a natural cleanse of the system from within will give the body the power and where with all to fight off any disease without drugs. There are hundreds of natural herbal remedies which are more powerful and far kinder than drugs because they do not cause 'side affects' as they work in unison with the bodily systems. Unfortunately, if these remedies are easily available or easy to grow at home they do not get the massive marketing campaigns and media attention that synthetic man made 'cures' do. Not only that, they are denigrated as being 'old wives tales' or 'folk lore'. But thousands of years of successful treatment using these remedies cannot be wrong. Some synthetically produced drugs have had less than 10 years experimentation and yet are pronounced the safe and the right way to 'fix' disease because they can be bottled or packaged and sold world wide.

The effect on each individual of this forceful medication is completely different yet they are sold in 'one size fits all' amounts which can have disastrous affects on the bodies of susceptible individuals. The problem is that these 'side effects' can be very slow to emerge by which time it is not possible to accurately diagnose the cause. Then more drugs are administered to counteract these 'side effects' until the individual is unable to stop any medications because if they do the system, which is now being managed artificially (and not very successfully), has lost the ability to take care of itself.

Associated subjects

• Anaemia

• Arthritis and bone infections

• A-Z of antimicrobial plant foods

• The A-Z of bacteria

• Cancer

• Cellulitis

• Chlamydia

• Cystic fibrosis

• Cystitis

• Ear infections

• Fungal and yeast infections

• Gingivitus

• Gonorrhoea

• Halitosis

• Impetigo

• Influenza

• Kidney disease

• Kidney failure

• Liver damage

• Listeriosis

• Lyme disease

• Meningitis

• Otitis

• Pharyngitis

• Pneumonia

• Prostatitis

• Pyelonephritis

• Respiratory infections

• Salmonellosis

• Sinusitis

• Syphilis

• Tonsillitis

• Tooth cavities and decay

• Tuberculosis

• Urinary tract infections

• Virus infections

•  Whooping cough

• Worms and parasites