[quote=ucodegen]One thing I have wondered about is that in the process of using flu-vaccines and antibiotics on a regular basis; are we conditioning our bodies to not mount an all out defense from an infection? After all.. it is only a trial run and not the real thing.[/quote]
That isnt how it works. Vaccines teach your immune system how to kill whatever was in the vaccine. The reason why you get a flu shot, and can still get the flu, is because there are multiple strains of the flu. You are protected against 3, but can still catch something else. Vaccines, atleast in theory (dont know about these chemicals that are being added, but let me say just about anything can cause some inflamation in artheritic rats) make your immune system stronger, not weaker.
Think of it like a mother cat teaching her kittens to hunt. She catches and wounds a mouse, and then puts it infront of the kittens who dont know what the Frak to do. Eventually they get the idea, and they learn to hunt healthy mice. They never would have been in the ball park, unless they get to learn with a wounded mouse who cant get away. Its trial and error in a safe environment so when the ‘real thing’ comes along, your body knows what to do, or ‘how to hunt’. (As an asside this is why it is really important to let your kids be kids and play in the dirt and such. Exposure to alot of stuff now will allow your kids to be healthier later on.)
Antibiotics plunt the edge off bacterial infections, but your immune system still learns. The real problem with antibiotics is overuse and improper use. Taking antibiotics just until you feel better is a bad idea, you are letting the bacteria learn how to survive against it. Same as taking antibiotics when you dont need them, they wont do jack against a virus. Then, when you really need the antibiotics, they do you no good because the bacteria is immune to it.
Bacteria are living organisms that grow and evolve. Using anti-biotics applys a selective force against them that just makes them stronger later on.
