Moosh:] writes
On Sat, 19 Jul 2003 08:35:11 +0100, Oz
wrote:

Moosh:] writes

I didn't realise they were significantly different. Thanks. How do you
explain the marked increase in autoimmune diseases lately?
As well as food allergies and asthma like allergies?

That was explained (although more info is required for proof) by the un-
naturally hygienic living conditions of the first world (and a lesser
extent the second).

Yep, I understand this, but I was wondering how your contention about
the different bacteria/virus pathways fitted into this.
I'd just assumed that lack of any immune challenges led to an immune
system with "idle hands".

That's certainly one way to put it.

Modern hygiene clears up viri as much as bacteria.

Yes, but given little to do the viral one dominates.

I wonder why.

probably because the systems evolved in a situation where bacteria
dominate.

So why would the viral one dominate? Sorry for being dense, I was
force-fed pasteurised milk as a child

Because for a billion years of evolution bacterial challenge was forever
dominant. So when you have a see-saw, best to bias it away from the
direction it is pushed, I would guess.

Certainly in evolutionary terms it's very very recent that man lived in
large (say 2000+) closely packed groups with good communication between
groups.

Within the groups, surely. Ten to 30 k anni?

Eh?

I would thus imagine that new viral attacks were very rare (and
probably pretty devastating).

Well they still are in modern times. Flu and small pox to name just
two.

They are probably predominant in modern times. Bacterial attack being
squashed with antibiotics. Remember a lot of flu (eg 'common cold' and
gastroenteritis is viral today.

Typically the local endemic viruses would
have all been encountered in childhood. Bacterial challenge, though,
would continue throughout life.

Well I still get regular (but seldom) colds and flu, how about you?

Yes, but I probably get mild bacterial infections of the gut every
couple of weeks, and for sure when walking and working in cow slurry I
must be getting a substantial bacterial challenge. Remember that a
challenge that is 'dealt with' is still a challenge and the immune
response is triggered even if no serious (or even observable) illness
results.

But at least one
with relevant sensitivities would be better, if the bacterial
infection is routinely expected.

This is typically the case in young animals with clinical viral disease.

Prophylactic antibiotics for likely bacterial secondary infections.
This is what some doctors do for susceptible patients with viral
URTIs. They used to do it routinely when I was younger. They have seen
the light. I have actually told an older quack that I didn't want his
script for antibiotics if all I had was a virus. All I wanted from him
was confirmation that I didn't have anything eminently treatable.
Oh, and a certificate for work

I didn't have you down as a young animal.

--
Oz
This post is worth absolutely nothing and is probably fallacious.
Note: soon (maybe already) only posts via despammed.com will be accepted.