You hear a lot more in the press these days about “super bugs” –the name they give to anti-biotic resistant bacteria.  As usual, the popular media tell horrifying tales of the danger of these bacteria.  Do we need to be afraid?

Short answer: no.  Aware and respectful maybe, but not panicked.

There’s a lot to be said, but let’s begin with the fact that your immune system is much more important than any antibiotic in determining whether or not you recover from an infection.  For that matter, with a healthy immune system and defenses, you never get sick in the first place.

For example, not everyone exposed to a cold virus gets a cold.  It depends on how strong the person’s immune system is at the time of exposure.

In one fascinating study, volunteers were all exposed to the same dose and strain of a cold virus.  The researchers then took note of who got sick and how long they were ill.  They compared this to the level of stress in the person’s life at the time of exposure.

Chronic stress suppresses immune function.  In this study, those people exposed with the highest levels of stress at the time of exposure were the ones more likely to get sick and then stay sick longer. 

Haven’t you noticed the same thing in your own life?  Aren’t you most likely to get a cold when you’re run down and tired and haven’t been taking care of yourself?

I’ll talk more on this later, but for now realize that your immune system does an excellent job of protecting you.  You’re exposed to all kinds of potential threats day in and day out without falling ill.  One of the best things you can do for yourself is maintain a healthy immune system.

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