A couple thousand years ago, the makers of Kimchi (a Korean garnish of pickled cabbage), long before the onset of SARS and swine flu, would never have imagined that their staple food could prevent and possibly cure these viral infections.

In April 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the influenza pandemic status to phase four warning.

What is the difference between the annual flu season and being infected with influenza A (H1N1)? According to the World Health Organization:

“Influenza A (H1N1) is a new virus to which most people have little or no immunity, and therefore this virus may cause more infections than are seen with seasonal influenza. Novel influenza A ( H1N1) appears to be as contagious as seasonal influenza and is spreading rapidly, especially among young people (ages 10 to 45). The severity of the illness ranges from very mild symptoms to serious illnesses that can lead to death. Most of the “People who contract the virus experience milder illness symptoms and recover without antiviral treatment or medical care. Of the most severe cases, more than half of the people hospitalized had underlying health problems or a weak immune system.” [1] 

“If there is any place in the world that was beaten by SARS, it was Hong Kong,” says Peter Cordingley, a spokesman for the World Health Organization (WHO) in Manila. “The lesson was learned.” Building on the past, Hong Kong has already issued travel advisories and stepped up controls at airports, including the use of infrared temperature scanners and detaining travelers arriving with flu-like symptoms. [2] 

Overseas countries and territories / communities that reported their first pandemic (H1N1) 2009 confirmed cases from the last web update (July 6, 2009) to July 22, 2009:

Afghanistan, Andorra, Belize, Bhutan, Botswana, La Reunion (French Overseas Community), Haiti, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Namibia, Sint Eustatius (Netherlands Antilles), Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines , Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Sudan, Tonga, Turks and Caicos Islands (UK Overseas Territory), United Republic of Tanzania, American Samoa (US), Guam (US)

As of July 22, 2009, the Grand Total of deaths attributed to swine flu is 1,154. For up-to-date information on reported cases, visit the WHO Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 site at the end of this article. The following link to a Google map shows the swine flu outbreak areas and provides an accurate geographic picture of the infection outbreaks.

How is it treated?  

For suspected cases of the virus, a five-day treatment with zanamivir alone or a combination of oseltamivir and amantadine or rimantadine is started. For confirmed cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) infection, oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza) can be given. [3]

Will a mask protect me from infection?

We have very limited information on the effectiveness of masks and respirators in fighting and controlling influenza. If used correctly, masks and respirators can help reduce the risk of getting the flu, but they should be used in conjunction with other preventive measures, such as avoiding close contact and maintaining good hand hygiene.

“Unless otherwise specified,” respirator “refers to a respirator with a facepiece filter N95 or higher certified by the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Infection control professionals They have often used three feet to define close contact and are based on studies of respiratory infections; however, for practical purposes, this distance can vary up to 6 feet. [3]

  Any prognosis for the future?  

About 90-95% of infected people recover despite severe symptoms that include a temperature of more than 100 degrees. headaches, extreme fatigue, chills, diarrhea, sore throat, muscle aches – basically all common flu symptoms.

To date, caution should be exercised as swine flu (H1N1) is still spreading and can become a pandemic affecting entire regions or countries. Annual flu outbreaks are expected and predictable. However, this outbreak has not followed the usual flu patterns. The speculated future forecast is divided between those who believe that the swine flu (H1N1) will decrease and disappear this summer of 2009 and those who believe that it will return to claim more cases similar to the influenza pandemic of 1918.

So what is this potential wonder drug on the Korean table? 

Since 2003, when SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) swept through Asia, Koreans were largely unaffected. Being the daily and national side dish that it is, kimchi was promoted to the status of a natural preventive and cure for SARS with virtually no scientific evidence to support the claim. Trust me, as someone who eats kimchi on a daily basis and loves it so much, I operate a site dedicated to kimchi and Korean cuisine, I welcome and listen to suggestions, and I look forward to further scientific research validating such claims. Imagine being obsessed with a food that is suddenly discovered to save lives in the face of a deadly new health threat.

Scientists from Seoul National University fed thirteen chickens infected with bird flu with kimchi extract. A week later, eleven of the thirteen chickens apparently recovered. To date, these studies remain unpublished and are certainly not recognized by any medical or scientific community. Professor Kang from Seoul National University, who observed the thirteen chickens, said that the Leuconostoc (lactic acid bacteria) found in Kimchi had a positive effect on bird flu.

Hong Jong Hoon, a technical consultant at the Korea Agricultural Development Institute, suggested that another possible and connecting factor is the way Koreans eat most of their garlic.

Hong began her research studies at the website of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, where she found a connection between SARS and the corona virus. He then headed to the Stanford University site, which lists, in addition to reducing stress, getting more sleep, and frequent hand washing, putting drops of garlic juice in the nostrils as a way to fight infection. Put it all together, he says, and you’ll see why South Korea has had only a handful of suspected SARS cases and no deaths, despite its proximity to China, where the virus originated, and Hong Kong and Taiwan, which have affected. harshly. Hong admits that many other countries make extensive use of garlic in their diets, including Italy and China. But they cook their garlic; Koreans eat theirs raw in kimchi. His theory may be difficult to prove, but that doesn’t mean it’s not true, he says. [4]

Park Yong Woo, a family medicine physician at Seoul Samsung Hospital, thanking the necessary clinical tests, says he is convinced of its healing properties.

“I’d like to compare it to an orchestra,” says Park. “It’s made from cabbage. But inside of that there are many healthy components, including garlic, ginger and chili peppers. It is a very harmonious food.”

Kim Man Jo, a food industry consultant and author of several books, including Kimchi, Kimchi, believes that the healing or management properties of Kimchi against some infectious diseases are created and found in the fermentation process: “They have not yet done experiments, but harmful diseases may be dominated by lactobacilli. ” she says.

Depending on the variety, I know that the most common napa cabbage kimchi variety has a strong combination of cabbage, red chili powder, fish sauce, lots of garlic, salt, green onions, daikon radish, sugar, and yes, even more garlic. . all fermented to perfection to deliver heavenly flavor and the strongest antimicrobial punch. Despite the lack of research on swine flu and kimchi as a preventive or cure, research has found that these friendly bacteria boost the immune system. Subsequent research has shown that live indigenous bacteria and the chemicals they produce can penetrate the intestinal wall and stimulate the growth and maintenance of immune cells. Lactobacillus strains can also stimulate defense cells and increase antiviral chemicals such as interferon.

To date, we have specified a medical treatment and course of action even though there is no vaccine. While I’m excited to find that kimchi may possess fighting properties against certain viral strains, until the claims are put under the “scientific method,” it will remain a folk home remedy alongside chicken soup. Despite the lack of evidence, if a pandemic condition swept through the area I live in, I would certainly pay attention to Western medical approaches and, most importantly, double my kimchi consumption. Will we tell each one their own?

With the unfortunate number of people who have died from SARS or swine flu (swine flu killed more than 1,100 victims worldwide as of July 2009 and more than 700 claimed by SARS), a pandemic may be necessary. and a desperate condition to even consider investigating these cases today. Unfounded beliefs and claims. Currently, at least 168 countries and territories have reported confirmed cases of swine flu.

Since I first ate kimchi in 1990, it is still a favorite daily side dish that I always look forward to. Whether it cures something or not, it certainly makes my taste buds and overall system feel great. I just can’t sit down to dinner at home or a Korean restaurant without it.

While these flu strains come and go or stay, those who enjoy eating kimchi (touted as one of the five healthiest foods in the world by Health Magazine) continue to get more of their share of nature’s probiotics. What new strains of flu may one day add to is a long list of enemies fought.

Meanwhile, for various strains of flu we have existing vaccines and for the ones we don’t have or other insects still standing, like the common cold, we have Gatorade, chicken soup, and an outdated but very effective break.

[1] TIME – The Lessons of SARS – By Kayla Webley / Hong Kong – Monday, Apr. 27 of 2009

[2] What is novel influenza A (H1N1)? From the World Health Organization

[3] Swine flu – Medicine.net

[4] The Daily Press.com – Waiting for a Kimchi Cure – By Mark Magnier * Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 * Google map showing swine flu outbreaks