First of all, I wanted to say KUDOS to The Doctors, on this past Monday's show, "If It's Not the Flu, What Is It?"  They have improved from previous shows!  They stressed the importance of not taking antibiotics for the common cold, not requesting antibiotics from your doctor for willy nilly, and making sure a bacteria culture comes back positive for things like a sinus infection before the doctor prescribes antibiotics.  In my last blog about antibiotics, I harped on the fact that Dr. Ordon says generically for a sinus infection, "Get on an antibiotic!"  Now, he is saying to get a culture done, because it just may be the structure of your sinuses causing problems, not an actual bacteria.  Thank you for that!!!  Our over-prescription of antibiotics is causing us to get sicker! 

Here's the blog where I harped on Dr. Ordon, who I love, by the way...he drinks almond milk like me!  http://www.thedoctorstv.com/GreenFish/posts/14206-Antibiotics-and-their-Overuse-in-America

Here's my other one, where I list natural ways to prevent infections: http://www.thedoctorstv.com/GreenFish/posts/14273-Antibiotic-causes-sudden-death-heart-attack

That brings me to my next point:

18) Try not to get on antibiotics for minor bacterial infections or things that you "think" are bacterial infections.  Most antibiotics kill the good bacteria in your gut.  This leaves you vulnerable to the gazillion viruses and bacteria surrounding us every day.  Just think, a sick, immunosuppressed patient in the hospital undergoing antibiotic treatment is so vulnerable, even the most harmless virus or bacteria can kill them if the hospital and visitors aren't careful. 

19) On the topic of antibiotics, stay away from products made with tricoslan, an antibacterial agent.  This is found in hand soap, body soap, toothpaste, and other products.  Some experts suggest that we need bacteria on our hands and body--the healthy kind that fight off harmful viruses and bacteria that come in contact with our bodies.  They say that products containing tricoslan is helping to create "superbugs" like MRSA and such.  MRSA is also believed to be created by our overuse of prescription antibiotics.

20) Regarding the first school of thought that I mentioned in my original How to Never Get Sick post, handwashing is very important.  Using alcohol-based hand sanitizer whenever regular soap and water are not present is also very important.  But what is equally, if not MORE important, is to keep your hands moisturized!  Germs love to accumulate in those dry cracks in your hands.  Some hand santizers are very drying.  It defeats the purpose, because after sanitizing, if you touch surfaces, you have even more germs on your overly dry skin.  If soap and water and hand sanitizer are not present, I will see if I can find moisturizer somewhere (a free sample or trial in the store, the tube of hand lotion in my car or purse if I'm out of sanitizer, etc).  Also, if no soap, water, or hand sanitizer is present, try creating heat and friction with your hands...rub them together vigorously, or what I do is rub them on my jeans vigorously.  I don't know how effective this is, but when you're in a bind, it can't hurt!   

21) On the topic of hands and keeping them off your face, think of all public surfaces as gross and germy (grocery shopping cart, ATM, door handles, etc), full of viruses and bacteria.  This helps me to not touch my face when I'm out in public places.  I keep hand sanitizer in my car, which I use before touching the steering wheel.  But that's not 100% foolproof.  When I get home, the first thing I do is thoroughly wash my hands with regular soap and hot water.  Then I let my guard down and may touch my face, and eat finger foods like apple slices and nuts!

22) Be happy!  Be content in your life.  Now, if you continue to eat loads of sugary, processed foods, don't wash your hands, are deficient in vitamins and minerals, then being happy is not going to help much.  But if you eat lots of fruits and veggies, exercise, cut back on sugar and junk food, as well as many of the other things I mentioned, then being happy and content in your life can help you fight off illnesses.  This goes back to my point of de-stressing your life.  Stress weakens immunity.  You can say the same for unhappiness.  Live within your means.  Be nice to others.  Don't sweat the small stuff.  Be content with what you have and where you are in life!  It not only will be good for the world and those around you...it may also boost your immunity.

23) Don't worry so much about germs.  They're everywhere.  We can't escape them.  Worry more about the state of your immunity and what you can do to strengthen it!

OTHER RELATED POSTS:

Stop your sugar cravings: http://www.thedoctorstv.com/GreenFish/posts/14467-Stop-your-sugar-cravings-once-and-for-all-

Vitamin C and Zinc--Essential for Strong Immunity: http://www.thedoctorstv.com/GreenFish/posts/14232-Vitamin-C-and-Zinc-Essential-For-Strong-Immunity

Iron Supplements: Use extreme caution: http://www.thedoctorstv.com/GreenFish/posts/14238-Iron-Supplements-Use-extreme-caution

Prevent Cancer and Improve Overall Health: http://www.thedoctorstv.com/GreenFish/posts/14258-Prevent-Cancer-and-Improve-Your-Health