Acute cases of influenza can actually damage your brain

It’s not a secret that getting the flu is no fun; fever, chills, aches and pains are just some of the uncomfortable symptoms that can accompany a case of the flu, along with telltale coughs and congestion. Now, new research has shown that the perils of influenza do not end with the unpleasant symptoms we feel: Acute cases of the illness can actually lead to inflammation in the brain and central nervous system (CNS), which can lead to damage.

Influenza can be a dangerous disease, which is why taking steps to prevent disease and support your immune system are so important. While vaccine propagandists will say that this finding is proof of the flu vaccine’s importance, vaccines are not an ideal vehicle for promoting immunity.

Not only is the efficacy of the flu vaccine under constant scrutiny, the entire vaccine paradigm has been called into question — especially the validity of vaccine “science.”

Influenza and the brain

A study led by a team of German researchers recently found that influenza A infection can lead to long-term inflammation in the brain and CNS — and that the effects of this inflammation can be particularly harmful to the hippocampus.

The hippocampus is found in the frontal lobe, located in the folds of the lower mid-section of the brain. Its primary functions involve learning and memory. The hippocampus is also part of the limbic system, which is associated with feelings and reactions. When the hippocampus is damaged, a person’s memory may be affected in a variety of ways. Both short-term and long-term memory capabilities may be subject to alteration. And from what the research shows, an especially bad case of the flu may be all that’s needed to incur such damage.

In a study of mice infected with two different strains of flu, H7N7 and H3N2, the scientists found that neuroinflammation from the flu can cause long-term decreases in the strength of neuronal connections in the hippocampus. It also caused impairments in spatial memory formations, which indicated that the inflammation had “induced functional and structural alterations in hippocampal networks.” There were also changes in microglia activation.

“In the acute phase of influenza infection, neuroinflammation can lead to alterations in hippocampal neuronal morphology as well as cognitive deficits,” the researchers state in their study, which was published in the The Journal of Neuroscience in early 2018.

Flu prevention is important

No one likes getting sick, but there is more to illness prevention than simply getting a vaccine. Despite what vaccine propagandists would like for you to think, vaccine science is far from “settled,” and a great deal of it has been faked by the industry. Fortunately, our bodies are equipped with their own natural defense system for fighting off illnesses like the flu. With our “modern” diets filled with artificial ingredients, preservatives, trans fats and whatever other toxins Big Food can dream up, it is no surprise that the immune system may not be performing at its best.

There are many foods and supplements that can help give your immune system a boost. Eating a variety of nutrient-dense foods, including fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, is part of a healthy diet — which can help support health and wellness for the entire body. Diet is key to disease prevention. Hand washing is also very important.

If you do fall ill, there are many natural remedies for cold and flu symptoms. Raw honey, elderberry syrup, ginger root and echinacea are just a few options, but there are many more.

Learn more about natural medicine and disease prevention at Prevention.news.

Sources for this article include:

JNeuroSci.org

MedicalNewsToday.com