natural immune system

I’m a clinical biochemist and the immune system is one of the most interesting things I have to get my head around. Right from the innate to adapted immunity, the way the body has evolved to defend us against pathogens is amazing.

In terms of superbugs such as MRSA, these tend to only be a problem in immunocompromised patients such as the elderly/chemo patients or where the pathogen has the opportunity to colonise (such as surgery). Chances are some of us now are walking around quite happily with it on our skin
 
I've a theory about blood groups and mosquito bites.

My mrs is Rhesus negative and mosquito's treat her as fine cuisine. And if she gets bitten she comes up in a bigger than normal lump immediately
 
Sider said:
I’m a clinical biochemist and the immune system is one of the most interesting things I have to get my head around. Right from the innate to adapted immunity, the way the body has evolved to defend us against pathogens is amazing.

In terms of superbugs such as MRSA, these tend to only be a problem in immunocompromised patients such as the elderly/chemo patients or where the pathogen has the opportunity to colonise (such as surgery). Chances are some of us now are walking around quite happily with it on our skin
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I was under the impression that we all carry MRSA

But after a quick google seems I was a little mistaken
 
Always been a believer of "a bit of dirt builds the immune system"..but that's not to say I live like a pig.

People who are paranoid over hygeine are quite...irritating.
 
mattyg said:
I was under the impression that we all carry MRSA

But after a quick google seems I was a little mistaken
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We all carry staph aureus on our skin (well the majority of us) which is usually harmless. A few of us carry the strain which is immune to methicillins (a range a antibiotcs) hense MRSA.

It's amazing that as soon as we become in patients pathogens that were never a concern to us become a big problem.
 
MooMoo444 said:
Always been a believer of "a bit of dirt builds the immune system"..but that's not to say I live like a pig.

People who are paranoid over hygeine are quite...irritating.
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I agree, no need to let your children roll around in the sewers but they should be encouraged to play outside more and spend less time on the xbox :)
 
Using anecdotal evidence to form the basis of your opinions on hygine and health is a dangerous thing to do.
To use the chicken example, although you may have been perfectly fine eating raw chicken once, that doesn't mean it is safe to do so! If you continue to eat raw chicken on a regular basis your chances of eating a chicken carrying something like salmonella which, strong immune system or not, will make you very ill or perhaps even kill you.

Sanitation is a very large part of the reason that life expectancy in the modern world is dramatically higher than before. It is overwhelmingly a positive thing. Deliberately exposing yourself to pathogens to "strengthen your immune system" almost certainly simply increases your chance of eventually contracting serious illness, unless perhaps it is done in a controlled manner (eg vaccination)

There is of course a healthy balance to be struck, you can't completely wrap yourself up in cotton wool, but it is common sense to do things like cooking food properly and to avoid exposing yourself uncessarily.

If this subject genuinely interests you immunology is a fascinating subject and there is plenty of literature out there based upon scientific observations. It's an immensely complex subject and not fully understood, please don't put yourself at risk by living by basing your understanding on a few personal observations!
 
mattyg said:
I've a theory about blood groups and mosquito bites.

My mrs is Rhesus negative and mosquito's treat her as fine cuisine. And if she gets bitten she comes up in a bigger than normal lump immediately
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my missus gets bitten all the time I never do, I am hairy I feel them land on me because of this and splat them.. when I get bitten its (usually) only ever on my wrists and ancles....
 
All chemicals that exist to combat bacteria or other virus are prone to being circumvented. The bacteria or virus will adapt to the chemical as survival mechanism. Some times that is not the case, rats are not going to adapt to rat poison for example. But weeds can adapt and beat weed killer. Given the right circumstance and environment anything is realy possible in this regard.

With mosquitos some people are just more prone to getting bit. I never used any repellant in SA and never got bit, the occasional one or two bites but my dad and my sis used to get attacked. They could have 50 bites easily. The best way to prevent mosquito is to not leave the windows open with lights on. If you must leave windows open because of heat, turn the lights off. Or you get mosquito nets for the windows. Mosquito also don't attack people based on certain blood types i think, also if you can't relax like me, my muscles twitch in my sleep, they don't bite you.
 
[FnG]magnolia;21158858 said:
Is the OP talking nonsense or not, in your opinion of course.
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Well it's not really my place to say, everyone is entitled to their opinion. The toilet seat comment I find a little ridiculous as our exposure to pathogens is more varied than just what comes off the toilet (have you seen what kinds put in their mouth?!)

I’m not a parasitolgist so my knowledge of mosquitoes etc is limited.

I’m just putting my 2 cents in, I am in no way an expert, far from it in fact :)
 
Sider said:
I’m a clinical biochemist and the immune system is one of the most interesting things I have to get my head around. Right from the innate to adapted immunity, the way the body has evolved to defend us against pathogens is amazing.

In terms of superbugs such as MRSA, these tend to only be a problem in immunocompromised patients such as the elderly/chemo patients or where the pathogen has the opportunity to colonise (such as surgery). Chances are some of us now are walking around quite happily with it on our skin
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Brb - gonna go wash.
 
Sider said:
I’m just putting my 2 cents in, I am in no way an expert, far from it in fact :)
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Considering the OP's history, you in comparison being the founding father of biochemistry and the immune system would not be a fantastical stretch ;)

Give us some sexy science talk. Dash his made-up science against the rocks of reason and repeated studies (or call him a ****, I don't really care, both work).
 
Are there not more germs on the average dishcloth in your sink than there are in your toilet?

One of my flatmates refuses to store his toothbrush in the bathroom because he doesnt want to brush his teeth with **** particles.

I also had to laugh at the OP eating raw chicken LIKE A BOSS because he has some super immune system. Is OP only vulnerable to Kryptonite I wonder?

/Salsa
 
Salsa said:
I also had to laugh at the OP eating raw chicken LIKE A BOSS because he has some super immune system. Is OP only vulnerable to Kryptonite I wonder?

/Salsa
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Jesus, I missed that. Well better him than me! I shall continue to cook my chicken I think.... :)
 
Sider said:
Hense the massive timebomb of an issue with antibiotics :)
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one alternative...

http://www.phagetherapycenter.com/pii/PatientServlet?command=static_phagetherapy&language=0

also

there was an eye opening atricle in the new scientist about bacteria in the last week or two.... $%^& amazing suiside bombers in the colony grow torpedos to target their enemy... the weapons can be general kill anything or only a different strain of the same bacteria

some torpedos just peirce the enemy some inject toxins as well....

I for one welcome the comming of our new bacterial overlords...
 
edscdk said:
one alternative...

http://www.phagetherapycenter.com/pii/PatientServlet?command=static_phagetherapy&language=0

also

there was an eye opening atricle in the new scientist about bacteria in the last week or two.... $%^& amazing suiside bombers in the colony grow torpedos to target their enemy... the weapons can be general kill anything or only a different strain of the same bacteria

some torpedos just peirce the enemy some inject toxins as well....

I for one welcome the comming of our new bacterial overlords...
Click to expand...

The tyranids in the making :)
 
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