​Is it you, or is it the virus that makes you sick?

When it comes to your health, the Western world has largely adopted the germ theory, meaning that you get sick because you were exposed to a particular bacteria or virus. However, there is another theory called the terrain theory, which holds it is not the germs that necessarily determine whether you become sick, rather, it is the state of your internal health and your ability to maintain homeostasis in the face of “unfriendly” organisms that keeps you well. The presence of germs does not constitute the presence of a disease – the average healthy individual is carrying at least five types of 

​viruses. We are surrounded by bacteria and viruses all the time, yet a healthy individual is not sick very often. Even in the worst epidemics, there are always people who either don’t get sick or whose symptoms are mild and quickly resolved. Not to mention about one third of people who are infected remain asymptomatic. Clearly the health of your immune system is of paramount importance to minimize your changes of coming down with the cold or flu. However, it is worth noting that both theories make valid and truthful arguments, and we can take each theory into consideration and utilize our knowledge of them to reduce our risks of developing the cold or flu. Read entire article